Averys Fight With Glycine encephalopathy (GCE)/ Nonketotic hyperglycinemia

Avery's journey with Glycine encephalopathy (GCE)

Avery has Glycine encephalopathy (GCE) or nonketotic hyperglycinemia is an inborn error of glycine metabolism, inherited in an autosomal recessive manner due to a defect in her GLDC gene in the glycine cleavage system. Her body produces too much naturally. This defect leads to glycine accumulation in body tissues, including the brain, and causes various neurological symptoms such as encephalopathy, hypotonia, apnea, intractable seizures and possible death. She has a biallelic mutation in the GLDC gene.

Mutations in the GLDC gene account for about 80 percent of all cases of nonketotic hyperglycinemia. This condition is characterized by abnormally high levels of glycine in the body (hyperglycinemia). Affected individuals have serious neurological problems. The excess glycine builds up in tissues and organs, particularly the brain. Affected individuals have serious neurological problems. Geneticist frequently checks glycine in blood & occasional lumbar puncture to check the glycine in the spine.

She also has agenesis of the corpus callosum (aka missing part in the middle of her brain) is one of several disorders of the corpus callosum, the structure that connects the two hemispheres (left and right) of the brain.

Intractable epilepsy

She has intractable epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures. The seizures happen when clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain send out the wrong signals. People may have strange sensations and emotions or behave strangely. They may have violent muscle spasms or lose consciousness. She's had seizures ever since she was born. Normally more than 20 seizures a day.

Keto diet

Currently she's on the Ketogenic diet through a Gtube in her stomach. It's a concoction of KetoVie 3:1, water, beneprotein & lite salt. Its a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, adequate protein diet that can be used to treat difficult-to-control seizures. The human body uses mostly carbohydrates for energy. When carbohydrates are not available for energy, the body can use fat for energy instead. The breakdown of fat for energy produces a waste product called “ketones.” The state of ketosis is often associated with improved seizure control.

The ketogenic diet resets how your body uses food. Usually, carbohydrates in your diet (like sugars and starches) provide most of the energy. The keto diet lowers the amount of carbs you eat and teaches your body to burn fat for energy instead. Since the keto diet she now has 0 seizures!

Meet Avery