A person with Gaucher's disease has a hereditary condition that causes mental retardation, as well as liver and spleen enlargement.

Gaucher's disease is an inherited disorder. The body does not make an enzyme that is responsible for breaking down glucocerebroside, which is a combination of protein, fat, and glucose. As a result, the molecule builds up in the body and becomes toxic to the brain, liver, spleen and bone marrow.