Brain gangliosides identification

Extensive studies on the chemical structure of the Tay-Sachs ganglioside have not shown a significant abnormality. As mentioned earlier, a compound with identical structure has been found among brain gangliosides of normal subjects. However, the sensitivity of these complex molecules toward treatment with alkali or acid, the possibility of spontaneous hydrolysis during handling and the complicated methods of structural identification render definite clarification of this point difficult. 

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