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Basic of Tay-Sachs disease
Basic of Tay-Sachs disease
Basic of Tay-Sachs disease
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Tay-Sachs disease is a genetic disorder, eventually leading to death of the inflicted. Genetic diseases have to do with mutations in one or more than one of the genes located on a person’s chromosomes. In the case of Tay-Sachs, it is a mutation of an autosomal chromosome, specifically chromosome #15 (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). The mutated gene is the Hex-A gene, which codes for the production of the enzyme beta-hexosaminidase A (see picture A) (ghr.nlm.nih.gov).
Tay-Sachs disease is a genetic disorder, which destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord (See picture B). It is a mutation to the Hex-A gene. The enzyme created by the Hex-A gene, beta-hexosaminidase A, breaks down fatty substances called GM2 ganglioside. Because the gene is mutated and can no longer break down the substance, it eventually builds up and becomes toxic to the body. This substance destroys neurons in the brain and spinal cord leading to various symptoms many dealing with the break down of muscles and nerves (ghr.nlm.nih.gov).
Symptoms of Tay-Sachs disease can include loss of hearing and eyesight...
Tay-Sachs disease is a rare hereditary disease found mainly in infants but is also found in juveniles and adults. It is caused by the abnormal metabolism of fats and is characterized by mental deterioration, blindness, and paralysis. There is no available treatment for this disease.
Tay-Sachs disease is a rare and fatal genetic disorder that destroys neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The disease appears in three forms, Juvenile Onset, Late Onset (known as LOTS), and the most common form, Infantile (also known as Classic). The differences between the three forms of the disease are related to the age at which the symptoms of the disease begin to form. Tay-Sachs results from a deficiency of the enzyme hexosaminidase A, which plays a vital role in removing a fatty substance, called GM2 gangliosides, from neurons.
Tay-Sachs disease is a rear inherited disorder that affects the nerve cells (neurons) in the brain as well as the spinal cord. This disease is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder rather than a sex-linked disorder like some think. In order to inherit Tay-Sachs disease, the gene must be inherited by both parents (Gravel, 2003). If the gene is inherited only by one parent, then the individuals will only be a carrier and has the potential of passing on this disease to their children. The odds of inheriting Tay-Sachs disease if both parents are carriers are 1-4 (25%). The chromosome responsible for the abnormality or mutation that causes Tay-Sachs disease is chromosome 15. Chromosome 15 is the one that codes for production of the enzyme hexosaminidase A (Hex-A) (Gravel, 2003).
Neurodegeneration is used mainly for diseases that are characterised by progressive loss of structure and function of neurons. There are many neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that...
There are many factors involved in the complexity of Sandhoff’s history, causes, and inheritance. Drs. Horst Jatzkewitz, Hartmut Pilz, and Konrad Sandhoff made the discovery of this disease in 1965. Originally these men were observing enzymes, and they found a new case of Tay-Sachs. It was then classified as an abnormal form of Tay-Sachs, but it was called Sandhoff due to the fact Konrad was given the most credit for its discovery. The determined cause of the disorder is an absence or reduced amount of the Hex A and Hex B enzyme. Without these, lipids abnormally build causing damage to cells. As a result of Sandhoff being an autosomal recessive disorder located on the 5q13 chromosome. Both parents have to be a carrier in o...
TSEs or more commonly prion diseases are a group of invariably fatal neurodegenerative diseases that occur in humans and animals . This disease is caused by a protease –resistant protein (PrPsc) after misfolding of a host-encoded prion protein (PrP). TSEs can exist as genetic, infectious or sporadic forms. The diseases are characterized by dementia, ataxia and neuropathlogically due to loss of specific neurons in the brain. Other clinical features include persistent painful stimuli, dystonia, visual or cerebellar problems and gliosis (1).
(Calendar 2013) Waardenburg Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder meaning that is caused by a mutation of genes. The disorder is classified as type I, II, III, or IV based on inheritance pattern and symptoms (Genetics 2013). Waardenburg Syndrome is an incurable disorder that is inherited from either one or both parents. If it came from one parent, it is an autosomal dominant pattern and if it came from both, it is known as an autosomal recessive pattern (Calendar 2013).
According to www.medterms.com , ALS is defined as “a classic motor neuron disease. Motor neuron diseases are progressive chronic diseases of the nerves that come from the spinal cord responsible for supplying electrical stimulation to the muscles. This stimulation is necessary for the movement of body parts.” “1 out of 10 cases are a genetic defect” (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis- National Library of Medicine, 2012). The other nine times, the cause of cannot be determined.
Parkinson disease (PD), also referred to as Parkinson’s disease and paralysis agitans, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is the third most common neurologic disorder of older adults. It is a debilitating disease affecting motor ability and is characterized by four cardinal symptoms: tremor rigidity, bradykinesia or kinesis (slow movement/no movement), and postural instability. Most people have primary, or idiopathic, disease. A few patients have secondary parkinsonian symptoms from conditions such as brain tumors and certain anti-psychotic drugs.
Parkinson's is an idiopathic, multifactorial neurodegenerative disease that attacks neurotransmitters in the brain called dopamine. Dopamine is concentrated in a specific area of the brain called the substantia nigra. The neurotransmitter dopamine is a chemical that regulates muscle movement and emotion. Dopamine is responsible for relaying messages between the substantia nigra and other parts of the brain to control body movement. The death of these neurotransmitters affects the central nervous system. The most common symptoms are movement related, including shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with posture. Behavioral problems may arise as the disease progresses. Due to the loss of dopamine, Parkinson's patients will often experience depression and some compulsive behavior. In advanced stages of the disease dementia will sometimes occur. The implications of the disease on the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory and phonatory systems significantly control speech.
The overview definition of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is defined in the Medical Dictionary for Allied Health as a “progressive degenerative disease of the lateral columns of the spinal cord leading to weakness paralysis and death (Breskin, 2008).” This definition is brief but by looking at this one helps to better define the disease, which follows. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig disease the progressive destruction is of the motor neuron this results in muscular atrophy. The nerve cells effected are from the brain to the spinal cord and the spinal cord to the peripheral these are the nerves that control muscle movement. ALS affects muscles that are controlled by conscious thought, this includes arms, legs, and trunk muscles. ALS leaves sensation, thought processes, the heart muscle, digestive system, bladder, and other internal organs unaffected.
Guillain- Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a rare, but very fatal auto- immune disease that specifically focuses on attacking the myelin sheath that surrounds the peripheral nerves in the human body. There are many different severities of this disease, but without treatment it can not only affect the entire nervous system but eventually shut down the rest of the body.
James Parkinson first discovered Parkinson's Disease in 1817. Parkinson's Disease is a common neurologic disorder for the elderly. It is a disorder of the brain characterized by shaking and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination. This disease is associated with damage to a part of the brain that controls muscle movement. Parkinson's Disease is a chronic illness that is still being extensively studied.
Since the gene for HD is dominant, there is a 50% chance of a sufferer's
This is a neurodegenerative disease, meaning it results in progressive loss or death of neurons. It often starts off with effecting simple motor skills like writing and holding things, after a few months usually patients start losing the ability to walk, talk, or move any of their limbs. Although the brain trauma is what causes it, ALS has little-no-effect on the brain. This fatal disease is typically diagnosed around age 60 and most patients are given about 3-5 years to live after being diagnosed. It has been found that 10% of cases are shown as genetic. It was brought to attention that athletes were beginning to get diagnosed with ALS at a younger age than most. After extensive research in the early 2000’s, Brain Analyst, Dr. Mckee ran tests and finally came to the conclusion that the toxic proteins in the brains of ALS patients were coming from repeated blows to the head. It was then made evident why so many athletes in contact sports such as football, soccer, boxing, etc… were being diagnosed at such a young age and more frequently than