Fatal Familial Insomnia Research Paper
Fatal Familial Insomnia
Susan Niksadat
SCIN104 – Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Dr. Kingsbury
July 4, 2010
Sleep is a basic function that is one of the most natural and primitive actions that the body performs. But why? Sleep is not learned behavior. Sleep is an instinct with which we are born. The body is refreshed after sleeping. It is believed that sleep makes the body healthier by improving the immune system, repairing the body, and resetting the inner “database.” Researchers have conducted numerous experiments on the need for sleep, the effects on the body when sleep is missed, and the amounts of sleep that humans require at different stages in life. The amount of sleep that one requires depends on various factors. …show more content…
Scientists have done numerous studies on the effects surrounding a lack of sleep. Headaches, muscle pain, irritability, dizziness, nausea, memory loss, slowed motor function are just a few of the effects reported. What happens when the ability to sleep is lost completely? A condition known as fatal familial insomnia causes an individual to do just that. Instances of this disease have been described in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. (I) However, the disease is extremely rare and has been detected in less than 50 families worldwide. Death is inevitable to those with the disease as there is currently no known treatment or …show more content…
The initial stage, lasting approximately 4 months, presents with a decrease in sleep and progressing to insomnia. (B) Other symptoms in the first stage of the disease include profuse sweating, panic attacks, paranoia, and phobias. The pupils of the eyes become small and pinpoint. (D) During the second stage of the disease, the patient begins to experience hallucinations and panic attacks begin to worsen. Around 5 months later, at the third stage, sleep becomes impossible and total insomnia has set in, rapid weight loss begins take place, incontinence is common. This stage lasts approximately 3 months. The fourth stage brings dementia, leaving the patient unresponsive or mute until the patient dies.
Diagnosing the fatal familial insomnia consists of three factors. Combined with an accurate family history, the tell tale symptoms, and genetic testing, suspecting individuals can have a definitive answer and have the ability to know their potential fate. (A) If a person inherits this mutant gene they will suffer the horrible death of FFI. (B) The disease has been detected as early as 30 years of age in a small group of sufferers, but generally presents to the majority of sufferers around 50 years of
Susan Niksadat
SCIN104 – Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Dr. Kingsbury
July 4, 2010
Sleep is a basic function that is one of the most natural and primitive actions that the body performs. But why? Sleep is not learned behavior. Sleep is an instinct with which we are born. The body is refreshed after sleeping. It is believed that sleep makes the body healthier by improving the immune system, repairing the body, and resetting the inner “database.” Researchers have conducted numerous experiments on the need for sleep, the effects on the body when sleep is missed, and the amounts of sleep that humans require at different stages in life. The amount of sleep that one requires depends on various factors. …show more content…
Scientists have done numerous studies on the effects surrounding a lack of sleep. Headaches, muscle pain, irritability, dizziness, nausea, memory loss, slowed motor function are just a few of the effects reported. What happens when the ability to sleep is lost completely? A condition known as fatal familial insomnia causes an individual to do just that. Instances of this disease have been described in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. (I) However, the disease is extremely rare and has been detected in less than 50 families worldwide. Death is inevitable to those with the disease as there is currently no known treatment or …show more content…
The initial stage, lasting approximately 4 months, presents with a decrease in sleep and progressing to insomnia. (B) Other symptoms in the first stage of the disease include profuse sweating, panic attacks, paranoia, and phobias. The pupils of the eyes become small and pinpoint. (D) During the second stage of the disease, the patient begins to experience hallucinations and panic attacks begin to worsen. Around 5 months later, at the third stage, sleep becomes impossible and total insomnia has set in, rapid weight loss begins take place, incontinence is common. This stage lasts approximately 3 months. The fourth stage brings dementia, leaving the patient unresponsive or mute until the patient dies.
Diagnosing the fatal familial insomnia consists of three factors. Combined with an accurate family history, the tell tale symptoms, and genetic testing, suspecting individuals can have a definitive answer and have the ability to know their potential fate. (A) If a person inherits this mutant gene they will suffer the horrible death of FFI. (B) The disease has been detected as early as 30 years of age in a small group of sufferers, but generally presents to the majority of sufferers around 50 years of