Tay-Sachs disease is a fatal genetic neurological disorder that usually develops in children (and rarely in adults in their 20s or 30s). While babies can seem to develop normally at first, but then mental and physical abilities deteriorate over time. Eventually the child loses sight, hearing, and the ability to swallow; muscles atrophy; and paralysis results. There is no cure or treatment.
Tay-Sachs disease involves a problem with the storage of lipids (fats) in which harmful amounts of a particular fatty substance accumulates in tissues and nerve cells in the brain.
An article from the U.S. National Institutes of Health discusses what happens in Tay-Sachs disease, how it progresses, symptoms, treatment of symptoms, and prognosis.
Another article, from the National Human Genome Research Institute, offers a list of frequently asked questions about Tay-Sachs disease. And KidsHealth.org examines Tay-Sachs screening, who's at risk, prenatal diagnosis, and more.
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