Kisho is an information platform, not a medical provider. Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. All content is aggregated from publicly available sources (including ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, FDA.gov, and Orphanet) and is provided for informational purposes only. Clinical trial eligibility, treatment decisions, and any health-related actions should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional. Kisho does not endorse any specific therapy, organization, or clinical trial. Terms of use · Privacy policy
A rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder caused by mutations in the NGLY1 gene. It is characterized by developmental delay, hypotonia, abnormal involuntary movements, poor tear production, microcephaly, intractable seizures, abnormal eye movements, and liver abnormalities.
Features include always present findings: Cloudy or opaque cornea (corneal opacity), Short foot, Delayed CNS myelination, and High myoinositol in brain by MRS and others; and very common findings: Impaired oral bolus formation, Suck reflex, Alacrima, and Small hand and others. 76 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Brain and nerves | 20 | Action tremor, High myoinositol in brain by MRS, Seizure |
Eyes | 4 | Cloudy or opaque cornea (corneal opacity), Strabismus, Corneal ulceration |
Digestive system | 4 | Liver scarring (fibrosis) (hepatic fibrosis), Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), Elevated circulating hepatic transaminase concentration |
Arms and legs | 3 | Short foot, Intrinsic hand muscle atrophy, Small hand |
Muscles | 3 | Low muscle tone (hypotonia), Facial hypotonia, Intrinsic hand muscle atrophy |
Head and neck | 3 | Facial hypotonia, Microcephaly, Narrow face |
Lab test results | 3 | Increased circulating lactate concentration, Elevated circulating alpha-fetoprotein concentration, Elevated circulating hepatic transaminase concentration |
Lungs and breathing | 3 | Respiratory distress, Central sleep apnea, Recurrent respiratory infections |
Skin | 2 | Anhidrosis, Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) |
Bones and joints | 2 | Weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis), Sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis) |
Metabolism | 1 | Fever |
Blood and immune system | 1 | Recurrent respiratory infections |
NGLY1-related congenital disorder of deglycosylation (NGLY1-CDDG) is a multisystemic neurodevelopmental disorder in which individuals most commonly exhibit a tetrad of developmental delay / intellectual disability, hyperkinetic movement disorder, hypolacrima, and elevated transaminases during early childhood [, , , , ]. Diagnosis has been achieved at ages ranging from three months to 20 years, mostly through broad molecular testing, such as exome analysis. While most individuals with NGLY1-CDDG survive into early adulthood, with a relatively stable clinical course , death during infancy from unclear causes has been reported.
Source: GeneReviews — "NGLY1-Related Congenital Disorder of Deglycosylation"
NGLY1 encodes N-glycanase 1 (654 aa). Specifically deglycosylates the denatured form of N-linked glycoproteins in the cytoplasm and assists their proteasome-mediated degradation. Highest expression in Testis (84.2 TPM) and Cells EBV-transformed lymphocytes (62.3 TPM).
Congenital disorder of deglycosylation 1 is caused by mutations in the NGLY1 gene on chromosome 3.
NGLY1 is classified as a druggable target (Enzyme category) with score 0.0.
Formal diagnostic criteria have not been established.
NGLY1-related congenital disorder of deglycosylation (NGLY1-CDDG) should be suspected in individuals with the following clinical features and supportive laboratory findings. Clinical features include:
Developmental delay / intellectual disability, most often in the severe to profound range
Hyperkinetic movement disorder
Hypo- or alacrima
Supportive laboratory findings include elevated ALT and AST during early childhood that spontaneously normalize. Note: Typical serum screening tests for congenital disorders of glycosylation (i.e., analysis of serum transferrin glycoforms, N and O glycan profiling) will NOT reliably detect NGLY1-CDDG (see , Biochemical).
The diagnosis of NGLY1-CDDG is established...
Source: GeneReviews — "NGLY1-Related Congenital Disorder of Deglycosylation"
The tetrad of developmental delay / cognitive impairment, hyperkinetic movement disorder, hypo/alacrima, and elevated transaminases during early childhood is pathognomonic of NGLY1-CDDG [, , , , ]. However, other multisystemic disorders and conditions that feature variable neurologic phenotypes, including seizures, chorea, athetosis, dystonia, myoclonus, tremors, ataxia, and dysmetria, are in the differential diagnosis.
Table 2.
Disorders to Consider in the Differential Diagnosis of NGLY1-Related Congenital Disorder of Deglycosylation
Disorder | Gene(s) | MOI | Clinical Features
Overlapping | Distinguishing
Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs) (see Congenital Disorders of N-Linked Glycosylation and Multiple Pathway Overview.) | See footnote 1. | ARXL | • Intrauterine growth restriction
Source: GeneReviews — "NGLY1-Related Congenital Disorder of Deglycosylation"
Genetic testing for NGLY1 is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for congenital disorder of deglycosylation 1 has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for congenital disorder of deglycosylation 1. An additional 1 compound holds orphan drug designation.
While no drugs are FDA-approved specifically for congenital disorder of deglycosylation 1, some of the following designated compounds may be used off-label in clinical practice. Treatment decisions should be made in consultation with a specialist familiar with this condition.
The following drugs have received orphan drug designation from the FDA for congenital disorder of deglycosylation 1. Orphan designation reflects regulatory interest and does not indicate approval for treatment.
Brand Name | Generic Name | Sponsor | Designated | Exclusivity End | Designation Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adeno-associated virus serotype 9 virus particle containing viral DNA that includes an expression cassette containing the human NGLY1 gene coding sequence | Adeno-associated virus serotype 9 virus particle containing viral DNA that includes an expression cassette containing the human NGLY1 gene coding sequence | Grace Science, LLC | 2021 | — | Designated |
Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with NGLY1-related congenital disorder of deglycosylation (NGLY1-CDDG), the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the initial evaluation that led to diagnosis) are recommended. Table 3. Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis of NGLY1-CDDG
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Eyes | Ophthalmologic eval for hypolacrima retinal disease | — |
ENT/Mouth | Auditory brain stem evoked potentials | — |
Hot environment should be avoided by those with hypohydrosis.
Source: GeneReviews — "NGLY1-Related Congenital Disorder of Deglycosylation"
No FDA-approved treatments for NGLY1-CDDG exist. Enzyme replacement therapy is currently being evaluated in the pre-clinical arena. Pre-clinical screens for endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (ENGase) inhibitors are underway . Large-scale compound screens on model organisms and cell lines are being evaluated. Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions.
Source: GeneReviews — "NGLY1-Related Congenital Disorder of Deglycosylation"
2 trials found
In the absence of formal surveillance guidelines, the authors recommend the following:
Annual follow up by:
Pediatrician or internist
Physical medicine and rehabilitation medicine
Ophthalmology
Neurology
Nutrition
Follow up as recommended by:
Developmental pediatrician
Gastroenterologist/hepatologist
Audiologist
Clinical or biochemical geneticist
Source: GeneReviews — "NGLY1-Related Congenital Disorder of Deglycosylation"
Phenotype severity distribution: 24 always present features, 5 very common features, 24 common features.
Estimated prevalence: <1 in 1,000,000 (VERY_RARE).
2 clinical trials registered. Interventions under study include drug therapy, other interventions, and gene therapy. Pipeline includes 1 PHASE3, 1 PHASE2. Research is sponsored by a mix of industry and academic institutions.
27 publications have been identified in PubMed for congenital disorder of deglycosylation 1. Research spans Basic Science / Preclinical (37%), Review / Meta-Analysis (22%), and Epidemiology / Natural History (11%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Laboratory research | 10 | 37% |
Research summaries | 6 | 22% |
Disease patterns and progression | 3 | 11% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 2 | 7% |
Patient case studies | 2 | 7% |
New treatment approaches | 2 | 7% |
Other research | 1 | 4% |
Clinical study results | 1 | 4% |
Brunner CB (2026). [PMID: 42052850](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42052850/). *Front Biosci (Landmark Ed)*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Fujihira H (2026). [PMID: 41917400](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41917400/). *Adv Exp Med Biol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Kamata Y (2026). [PMID: 41687896](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41687896/). *Bioorg Med Chem Lett*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Morrison G (2026). [PMID: 42114141](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42114141/). *Hum Mol Genet*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Aguirre-Guillen RL (2026). [PMID: 41623318](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41623318/). *Mol Genet Metab Rep*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Zhu L (2026). [PMID: 41721346](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41721346/). *Orphanet J Rare Dis*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Mesika A (2025). [PMID: 40470739](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40470739/). *J Inherit Metab Dis*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Zhang H (2025). [PMID: 41096971](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41096971/). *Int J Mol Sci*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Fujihira H (2025). [PMID: 40730667](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40730667/). *J Hum Genet*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Shyr ZA (2025). [PMID: 40189184](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40189184/). *Exp Cell Res*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Data assembled from 10 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 20, 2026, 1:21 PM UTC
Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) provide support, resources, and community for patients and caregivers.
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about congenital disorder of deglycosylation 1
Respiratory
Sleep study |
If review of systems reveals snoring or symptoms concerning for sleep apnea |
Gastrointestinal | Nutrition eval to optimize intake | Feeding swallowing eval if indicated; Transaminase levels; Eval for constipation |
Musculoskeletal | Radiologic orthopedic assessment incl DXA scan | To evaluate bone health help manage scoliosis, coxa valga, /or contractures |
Skin | QSWEAT analysis to evaluate for hypohydrosis | Neurologic |
Endocrinologic | Vitamin D level | To assess for vitamin D deficiency Hematologic/ |
Lymphatic | Protein C; factor II, IX, XI; fibrinogen levels | Consultation w/hematologist if abnormal Miscellaneous/ |
Other | Speech language eval | Referral to speech therapist if indicated Rehabilitation team eval |
Treatment of Manifestations in Individuals with NGLY1-CDDG Manifestation/Concern | Treatment | Considerations/Other |
Hypolacrima | Lubricating eye drops /or bland ointments | — |
Hearing loss | Standard treatment | See Hereditary Hearing Loss and Deafness Overview. |
Sleep apnea | Routine management | — |
Oromotor deficits leading to feeding problems | Feeding therapy; supplemental tube feeding if indicated | Referral to gastroenterologist |
Constipation | Standard management | Referral to gastroenterologist if refractory to typical medical management |
Abnormal hematologic /or gastroenterologic labs | Follow up w/hematologist gastroenterologist | — |
Scoliosis osteopenia | Routine management | — |
Hypohydrosis | Adequate access to water cool environment (AC, wet T-shirt, /or spray bottle of water) | Cooling vests may be helpful in hot climates. |
Seizures | Standard treatment | Referral to neurologist for those w/refractory or severe seizures |
Vitamin D deficiency | Supplemental vitamin D | — |
Any condition requiring surgical intervention | Surgery best performed in centers w/surgeons anesthesiologists experienced in care of those w/metabolic disorders special needs | AC = air conditioning The following information represents typical management recommendations for individuals with developmental delay / intellectual disability in the United States; standard recommendations may vary from country to country. Ages 0-3 years. |
Source: GeneReviews — "NGLY1-Related Congenital Disorder of Deglycosylation"