Tay-Sachs Syndrome

Tay-Sachs disease, (also known as GM2 gangliosidosis or hexosaminidase A deficiency), is a fatal autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by insufficient activity of the enzyme beta-hexosaminidase A. It is very rare, found more prevalently among certain populations, like those with Eastern European, (Ashkenazi Jewish) heritage (Bethesda, 2014), and usually results in death by the age of four. The purpose of this essay is to illustrate the pathology and inheritance patterns of this genetic disorder, and provide the molecular base, prognosis, and possible treatments.

Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) is a fatal genetic disorder resulting in progressive destruction of the nervous system. Tay-Sachs is caused by the absence of a vital enzyme called hexosaminidase-A (Hex-A

There are no treatments or cures for Tay-Sachs disease; however, through palliative care,  treatment is used to keep the child comfortable. Palliative care often includes prescription medication to relieve symptoms, the use of feeding tubes, physical therapy, and respiratory care to avoid issues with the lungs and airways.

Tay-Sachs disease is a rare genetic disorder that destroys the nerves of the brain and spinal cord (the neurons). Tay-Sachs is usually discovered during infancy, the child appears to be on track and developing normal until the first signs of symptoms become apparent. The children typically do not live past the age of 5 due to many symptoms of the disorder/disease. However there have been individuals with Adult Tay-Sachs Disease (ATSD) and Late Onset Tay-Sachs disease (LOTS) in which they develop mild symptoms later on and worsen throughout the years. The symptoms include: loss of motor skills or muscle movement, vision and hearing loss, intellectual disabilities and dementia, and even can cause paralysis. The most common way to notice a child

Tay-Sachs disease is a genetic disorder which results in progressive destruction of the nervous system. Children are the most common victims of the disease. In the general population, Tay-Sachs itself is rare. Tay-Sachs disease is most commonly found in people of east and central European Jewish descent, French-Canadian communities of Quebec, Cajun population of Louisiana, and the Amish. Mutations in the HEXA gene are the cause of this disease. This can happen in Prophase one of Meiosis due to the crossing of the sister chromatids in tetrad form may have mutated the chromosome encoding all the info for the Hexa gene. The HEXA gene gives instructions to make part of an enzyme called beta-hexosaminidase A. Alterations in the HEXA gene may damage

Tay Sachs Disease, or TSD, is a fatal genetic disorder that result in the degeneration of the nervous system. TSD is presented in three forms, those being classic infantile, juvenile and adult late-onset. The most commonly seen form of TSD is that of classic infantile Tay Sachs Disease. In the classic infantile form, infants generally experience their first symptoms by 6 months of age. Death of infants with TSD is typically by age 5. The symptoms that TSD infants will experience prior to death include: an onset of retardation, paralysis, dementia, blindness and reoccurring seizures. The absence of hexosaminidase-A, or what we will refer to as Hex-A, is the cause

Tay-Sachs disease is an inherited disorder that progressively destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Commonly it becomes apparent in infancy. Infants with this disorder usually appear normal until ages 3-6 months, when their development slows and muscles used for movement weaken.

When presented with this assignment, Tay-Sachs disease was one of the first choices that came to mind since it is one of many diseases associated with Ashkenazi Jews (Jews of Eastern European descent). Tay-Sachs is a deadly heritable disease caused by the absence or mutation of Hex- A, an enzyme that breaks down complex fats called gangliosides found in nervous tissue. Without Hex- A, there is a buildup of gangliosides in the cells of the brain, causing major damage to the cells (“Learning About Tay-Sachs Disease”). Tay-Sachs is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, which means that both parents must be a carrier of the diseased allele for the children to be at risk. The interesting thing about autosomal recessive disease

Tay Sachs is a disease in the nervous system. It mainly occurs in infancy, and the infant can appear normal until ages 3-6 months when their muscles for movement weaken and development slows down. Affected infants with Tay Sachs disease loose motor skills such as sitting, crawling, and turning over, and in some cases develop an extreme startle reaction to loud noises. As this vigorous disease advances, children distressed can experience paralysis, intellectual disability, seizures, hearing and vision loss, and an eye abnormality called a "cherry-red spot." Most children afflicted usually only live into early stages of childhood.

The cell is the basic unit of life in eukaryotic organisms. The inside of the cell is comprised of multiple subunits called organelle that all function together to maintain homeostasis and function. Each individual organelle is assigned a specific task and purpose for the cell. These tasks and purposes can range from structural support all the way to the disposal of malfunctioning organelle.1 Similarity to a machine, if one part stops functioning to full potential, serious if not fatal consequences can be faced. A shining example of the effects of a malfunctioning organelle occurs in Tay-Sachs disease. Tay- Sachs disease is a lysosomal disorder that is caused by a faulty lysosome.1 Recent studies and research have been investigating the causes and pathways Tay-Sachs disease with great success, which is amazing news for the scientific community.

Tay Sachs is a genetic disorder that occurs when there is a missing enzyme in the body. This causes a buildup of fatty substances in the nervous system (Gale). Beta-Hemosaminidase, or HexA, is the missing enzyme that causes the various nerve disorders that happen within Tay Sachs (NTSAD). This disease is inherited in a few different areas of the world, but it is most commonly

Without this enzyme working properly, there will be a toxic buildup of ganglioside in the brain causing serious and life-threatening complications. (“Student Resources in Context Tay-Sachs “World of Health.Gale,2007.Student Resources in context.Web.22 May 2014”).Which is why the symptoms are so serious and normally result in the death of the person that has this disease. The person doesn't necessarily die from the actual disease sometimes, it can actually be from complications caused by this disease. 1 in 3600 Jewish infants are born with Tay Sachs disease. (“Student Resources in Context Tay-Sachs “World of Health.Gale,2007.Student Resources in context.Web.22 May 2014”). This disease, although it may not seem like it, is a autosomally recessive disease that has to be inherited through parents that either have the disease or are both carriers. Parents can be carriers and not even know it because this disease is recessive so both recessive alleles have to be present in order for the disease to show itself. Interestingly, 1 in 27 eastern European Jews are carriers for this disease. (“Student Resources in Context Tay-Sachs “World of Health.Gale,2007.Student Resources in context.Web.22 May 2014”). Two of the three forms listed above are fatal and result in death not very late after diagnosis. Death normally occurs at a young age as the

Main Point C: The similarities and differences between Tay-Sachs and Fragile X as wells as the similarities and differences between Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The members will be a physician, a geneticist, an ethicist, a lawyer and a nurse. The physician, who is a pediatrician, makes the diagnosis of Tay Sachs. The geneticist, another specialist, provides more specific and applicable information on Tay-Sachs, such as causes and risks, prevention, diagnosis and treatment. These two specialists formulate a plan of care, which a nurse will implement. The ethicist informs them about accepted moral values and the proper human conduct, behavior and decisions in dealing with Tay-Sachs. The lawyer or legal practitioner informs the involved parties about the current laws and court decisions concerning or affecting the management of genetic disorders, such as Tay-Sachs. And the nurse carries out the detailed instructions of the geneticist and pediatrician as well as incorporates the guidelines inputted by the lawyer.

It has come to my attention that you believe Tay-Sachs disease is less devastating than ALD. To make an assumption does not do you justice and I am here to inform you on each of these demyelinating diseases so you can understand why in fact Tay-Sachs disease is in fact more devastating than ALD