Patient Advocacy Organizations
Find resources, community and support through the patient advocacy organizations below.
Classical homocystinuria (HCU), also known as homocystinuria due to CBS deficiency, is a rare genetic metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency in the enzyme cystathionine beta synthase (CBS). Without enough CBS, the amino acids homocysteine (Hcy) and methionine build up in the blood.
Toxic levels of homocysteine can lead to life-threatening thrombotic events such as stroke and heart attacks. Other symptoms of the disease include nearsightedness, dislocation of the lens of the eye, and developmental delay.
Current treatment options include significant dietary restrictions and use of vitamin B6 and betaine. For many individuals with classical HCU, homocysteine levels remain elevated despite the availability of these treatments.
The disorder is inherited in an autosomal recessive genetic manner, meaning that a child is affected when each parent passes on one copy of the mutated gene.
Learn About our Development Efforts for classical HCU
Find resources, community and support through the patient advocacy organizations below.
