Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) and globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD or Krabbe disease) are recessive lysosomal storage diseases (LSD) caused by arylsulfatase A (ARSA) and galactosylceramidase (GALC) deficiency, respectively, leading to severe demyelination, neurodegeneration and premature death, and currently lacking any approved treatment. The gene discussed is GALC; the disease is lysosomal storage disease.