Neuronal migration abnormality in peroxisomal bifunctional enzyme defect.

Patterns of brain dysgenesis that resemble those in the Zellweger syndrome were demonstrated in a boy with an isolated defect of the peroxisomal bifunctional enzyme. There was bilateral centrosylvian pachygyria and polymicrogyria, diffuse hemispheric hypomyelination with heterotopic neurons, Purkinje cell heterotopias, and simplified convolutions of the dentate nucleus and inferior olive. This association of Zellweger syndrome-like brain dysgenesis with a defect of a single peroxisomal enzyme provides new opportunities for the study of pathogenetic mechanisms in peroxisomal disorders.