"Imapired breakdown of sphingolipids.
sphingolipid= cell membrane lipid.
contains amino alcohol sphingosine.
discovered in brain extracts.
named after the Sphinx because of their enigmatic nature.
definitions:
1. sphingomyelin � phospholipid with sphingosine
2. ceramide � sphingosine plus long chain fatty acid
3. cerebroside � ceramide plus hexose sugar
4. ganglioside � ceramide and sialic acid
"