Glycine Encephalopathy

Glycine Encephalopathy, also known as nonketotic hyperglycinemia, is a rare genetic disorder where the body cannot properly break down the amino acid glycine. Elevated levels of glycine build up in the blood and brain, affecting normal brain function. Symptoms often appear in newborns and include poor muscle tone, seizures, breathing difficulties, and developmental delays. The condition results from defects in the enzyme that helps process glycine, leading to toxicity in the nervous system. Currently, there is no cure, but treatments aim to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.