What are the types of Batten disease?

What are the types of Batten disease?

Researchers and healthcare providers have identified 13 types of Batten disease. Providers classify the different types based on the age symptoms begin and the gene that has the change. Symptoms may begin in infancy, late infancy, childhood or the early teenage years.

Very rarely, adults can develop symptoms (usually around age 30). All types of Batten disease are fatal except adult Batten disease. People who develop symptoms of Batten disease as adults have a normal life expectancy.

The name for each type of Batten disease starts with “CLN.” This stands for ceroid lipofuscinosis, neuronal — the name of the affected gene. The name ends with a number from 1 to 14. The most common type of Batten disease is CLN3 (juvenile Batten disease). Symptoms of CLN3 usually begin between ages 5 to 15.