Even though the cellular consequences of EIF2B mutations on neural cells are unknown, cell cultures from the brain of an individual with VWM carrying mutations in subunit 5 of eIF2B (encoded by EIF2B5) have generated morphologically normal oligodendrocytes and abnormal astrocytes in vitro, suggesting that a deficiency in astrocyte function may contribute to the loss of white matter in VWM leukodystrophy [6]. Here, EIF2B5 is linked to leukodystrophy.