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Living with Alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency type 2

A very rare, mild adult form of NAGA deficiency with small red-purple skin spots and mild nerve problems.

Understanding Alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency type 2

Alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency type 2 is a very rare, mild adult type of NAGA deficiency.

Its features are angiokeratoma corporis diffusum (small dark red skin spots over the body) and mild sensory neuropathy (nerve damage affecting feeling). It starts in adulthood.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Small dark red skin spots (angiokeratoma corporis diffusum)
  • Coarse facial features
  • Hearing loss
  • Dizzy spells (vertigo)
  • Enlarged heart (cardiomegaly)
  • Firm lumps under the skin

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists, eye disease specialists, genetic specialists and seizure and epilepsy specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in NAGA are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    The International Advocates for Glycoprotein Storage Diseases (ISMRD) and Epilepsy Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Seizure and epilepsy specialists (epileptologist)
Expert care
Expert lists: The International Advocates for Glycoprotein Storage Diseases (ISMRD), Epilepsy Foundation
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with The International Advocates for Glycoprotein Storage Diseases (ISMRD) and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Is genetic testing for NAGA available for our family?
How should my heart and hearing be checked?
Which specialists should be on my care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startAdult
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesNAGA

Changes in the NAGA gene cause this condition. A child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent (autosomal recessive).

GeneticNeurologicalInherited MetabolicLysosomal Storage

Also known as: adult-onset alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency; alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency, type ii; kanzaki disease; naga (alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidase) deficiency type 2; naga deficiency type 2; naga deficiency, type ii

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase deficiency type 2GARD ID 9161 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

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