Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency is a disorder that can cause a variety of neurological problems. People with this condition typically have developmental delays, especially in speech development; intellectual disabilities; and decreased muscle tone (hypotonia) soon after birth. Communication problems may improve over time in people with this disorder.

Variants (also called mutations) in the ALDH5A1 gene cause succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency. The ALDH5A1 gene provides instructions for producing the succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase enzyme. This enzyme is involved in the breakdown of a chemical that transmits signals in the brain (neurotransmitter) called gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). The primary role of GABA is to prevent the brain from being overloaded with too many signals.

Approximately 350 people with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency have been reported worldwide.

This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene in each cell must have a variant to cause the disorder. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the altered gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.

Published Date: March 06, 2024
Published By: National Institutes of Health