The most common cerebrosides include galactosylceramide, glucosylceramide, and sulfatides (see Figure 19.14 for synthesis scheme). Sulfatides are made by transferring a sulfate group to a galactosylceramide (Figure 19.14).

Deficiencies in enzymes involved in catabolism of cerebrosides lead to sphingolipidosis. These give rise to the following diseases - Gaucher's Disease (deficiency of -glucosidase -#4), Globoid cell leukodystrophy (deficiency of galactosidase - #7), and metachromatic leukodystrophy (deficiency of arylsulfatase A - #8). These enzymes are depicted in Table 19.1 and Figure 19.16 consistent with the numbers shown in red above.

See also: Sphingolipids, Glycosphingolipids, Gangliosides, Sialic Acid, Globosides