Batten Disease is named after the British pediatrician who first described it in 1903. Also known as Spielmeyer-Vogt-Sjogren-Batten Disease, it is the most common form of a group of disorders called neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (or NCLs). Although Batten Disease is usually regarded as the juvenile form of NCL, it has now become the term to describe all forms of NCL. The basic cause, progression, and the outcome are the same. The forms of NCL are classified by age of onset but are all genetically different.

Over time, affected children suffer mental impairment, worsening seizures, and progressive loss of sight and motor skills. Eventually, children with Juvenile Batten Disease become blind, bedridden, and unable to communicate. Juvenile Batten Disease is always fatal by the late teens or twenties.

Batten Disease is not contagious or, at this time, preventable.