Neurological and cardiac responses after treatment with miglustat and a ketogenic diet in a patient with Sandhoff disease

Sandhoff disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by accumulation of GM2 gangliosides. We describe a 6-year-old male with coarse facial features, developmental delay, refractory seizures, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, who was later found to have Sandhoff disease. Previous studies have revealed that caloric restriction in combination with miglustat increased survival and motor behavior in mouse model of Sandhoff disease. These findings suggest that combination therapy may result in improved outcomes for patients with Sandhoff. Initiation of treatment with miglustat and a ketogenic diet was followed by improvement of the patient's seizure control and cardiac function. Further clinical investigation is required to better determine the benefit of management in late-onset forms of Sandhoff disease.