Adult neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (Kufs' disease) in two siblings of an Irish family.

The clinico-pathologic features of two siblings with biopsy-proven adult onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (Kufs' disease) are described. A 38-year-old woman had intractable seizures, delusions and hallu cinations followed by ataxia, declining cognitive function and death. At autopsy there was widespread cerebral neuronal accumulation of autofluorescent pigment, in which finger-print profiles were demonstrated. Systemic involvement was not demonstrated. A 43-year-old brother developed slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia and was found to have similar neuronal autofluorescent pigment on brain biopsy. Nine years later there is gradual cognitive decline and profound ataxia. The salient features of Kufs' disease including cases published since 1988 are re viewed.