This metabolic activity of ABHD12 has significant biomedical importance, as deleterious (null) mutations to the gene encoding this lipase in humans results in an autosomal recessive early onset neurodegenerative disease called PHARC (p―olyneuropathy, hearing loss, ataxia, retinitis pigmentosa and cataract) (Figure 1) (Fiskerstrand et al., 2009; Fiskerstrand et al., 2010). The gene discussed is ABHD12; the disease is PHARC syndrome.