A Brief History of Inherited Metabolic Diseases: A Personal 60 Years Clinical Flashback

Abstract

The concept of IMDs has evolved over a century from rare deficits in amino acid catabolism diagnosed by the accumulation of biochemical markers such as phenylketonuria (PKU) to diseases affecting organelle metabolism, synthesis of complex molecules, and cellular trafficking. Small-molecule accumulation disorders form the major group of treatable IMDs. Do not miss these metabolic emergencies! IMDs currently number over 1800 and include all medical specialties. The specificity of true “molecular internists,” metabolic specialists, lies in the in-depth knowledge of metabolic pathways and the understanding of the pathophysiology of the deficits underlying the treatments (“precision medicine”). Neurology is massively impacted, but cerebral metabolism remains largely misunderstood. Genetic analyses are becoming increasingly important for diagnosis but must be complemented by biochemical investigations, which sometimes have greater diagnostic specificity and provide functional information at the phenotype level. Biochemical analyses remain essential for monitoring treatment or even for diagnosis. Finally, contrary to early expectations, newborn screening such as that for phenylketonuria, leading to preventive therapy, could be extended to a significant though limited number of IMDs. Currently, there are numerous initiatives that include genetic screening combined with biochemical testing or that extend screening to lysosomal diseases potentially treatable by enzyme or gene therapy.