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Tay Sachs Disease

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Tay-Sachs disease is also known as: B Variant GM2 gangliosidosis, GM2 gangliosidosis type 1, Hex A deficiency, Hexosaminidase A deficiency, Hexosaminidase alpha – subunit deficiency (Variant B), sphingolipidosis, and TSD. The main cause of Tay-Sachs is a defective Hex-A gene, and an absence of a significant enzyme known as hexosaminidase. A gene on the fifteenth chromosome codes for the generation of Hex-A, and does not function properly in Tay-Sachs patients. Each person has is intended to have two Hex-A genes. Based on inheritance and genetic patterns, even if one gene is defective, the child will still be healthy. Following the inheritance pattern, if two healthy, carrier parents have a child, then that child will inherit a defective gene …show more content…

Tay-Sachs follows an autosomal recessive pattern – both copies of the gene possess mutations. Warren Tay first described it in 1881. Bernard Sachs was the first to describe cellular changes and the genetics of it, in 1887. Tay described a patient with a cherry-red spot on their retina. Sachs established the connection the familial connections of the disorder, noting that most babies who had Tay-Sachs were of Eastern European, Jewish descent. If symptoms and physical characteristics suggest that a child may be suffering from Tay-Sachs disease, blood tests are used to determine whether or not the child’s body is producing the necessary Hex-A enzyme. DNA is extracted from the sample in an attempt to detect mutations of the Hex-A. There is no known cure for Tay-Sachs disease. For treatment and to ease the pain of/reduce some of the side effects, doctors may prescribe seizure medications. It is highly recommended that Tay-Sachs patients begin some form of Respiratory therapy. This type of therapy is necessary because children who have Tay-Sachs have a high chance of developing lung

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