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Essay about Sandhoff’s Disease> Tay Sachs

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“The carrier rate for Tay-Sachs in the general population is 1/600” (OMIM). Sandhoff Disease is a rare genetic disorder, and it is a severe form of Tay-Sachs that progressively destroys cells in the brain and spinal cord. Since its discovery and analysis of inheritance, there have been advancements of its diagnosis, treatment, research, and its support resources for affected families. Those affected individuals lose motor skills and function of other body parts. As the disease progresses they experience seizures, vision/hearing loss, mental disability, paralysis, and a cherry red spot on the eye. This leads to loss of coordination, alertness, and respitory health. The disease has three forms infantile, juvenile, and late-onset. In infants …show more content…

It is available when both members of a couple are carriers. These tests can also be used to screen if you are a carrier of the disorder. Although there is no cure for Sandhoff, there is treatment. These are used to manage symptoms and pro-long life expectancy.” Supportive treatment includes proper nutrition and hydration and keeping the airway open. Anticonvulsants may initially control seizures (NINDS)”. As a result of research there are more experimental treatments. For example, children can receive transplants of stem cells from an umbilical chord. Another way is through gene therapy; which is done by “restoring the missing enzyme by introducing the correct genetic code so proper enzyme production can occur (NTSAD). “ Due to further research attempts, after diagnosis, there are ways to treat and manage symptoms to provide comfort. There are various support programs that help the families affected by this disease. The National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases (NTSAD) can help patients understand diagnosis, management options, updates on research efforts, and connect with other families. They provide information for in-home and outside services for patients. Also, there are online and outside support groups that help families relate. This provides comfort and ease on dealing with the disorder. Additionally, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) support the additional research through grants

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