A group of inherited metabolic disorders characterized by an excessive intra-lysosomal deposition of glycosphingolipids and phosphosphingolipids in the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM and, to a variable degree, in visceral structures. Clinical features vary with the specific subtype of the disease, but common features include progressive deterioration in psychomotor and visual function. (From Arch Neurol 1998 Aug;55(8):1055-6; Menkes, Textbook of Child Neurology, 5th ed, p89)
