Definition

The ASPA gene encodes aspartoacylase, the enzyme that breaks down N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid (NAA) in neurons; deficiency leads to accumulation of NAA and disrupts myelin formation. In the severe infantile form, developmental delay, hypotonia, macrocephaly and seizures appear at 3 to 5 months of age; the juvenile form presents with delayed speech/motor development.

Gene/region examined

ASPA - Exon 1, ASPA - Exon 2, ASPA - Exon 3, ASPA - Exon 4, ASPA - Exon 5, ASPA - Exon 6

Method

Sequence analysis

Accepted sample types

EDTA blood, AF, CVS

Inheritance

Hereditary, autosomal recessive; particularly common in the Ashkenazi Jewish population.

Related Tests

Inheritance Patterns

Describes how a genetic condition is passed on within a family. There are five main patterns

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Carrier (Heterozygous / Homozygous)

Why it matters: In autosomal recessive inheritance, when each parent is a carrier (while both appear healthy), the chance of their child being born with the disease is 25% in each

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VUS (Variant of Uncertain Significance)

This is the situation where the test has detected a change in the DNA, but the role of this change in the development of disease is unconfirmed.

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How to Read a Genetic Test Result (Positive / Negative / VUS)

A genetic test result falls into three main categories

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Types of Genetic Tests

A genetic test is a type of medical test that detects changes in genes, chromosomes or proteins. Today there are more than 77,000 genetic tests available.

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