Progeria
Also Known as Hutchison-Gilford Progeria Syndrome
What is it?
Progeria is a rare genetic disease that cause children to age rapidly. It is not cause by genetic, passing on every or every other generation but randomly. Its name came from a greek word, Geras, meaning "prematurely old". It was first discovered in England by Dr. Jonathan Hutchison in 1886 and by Dr. Hastings Gilford in 1887.
Causes of Progeria
Progeria is caused by a mutation in the gene called lamin A. Lamin A is a protein structural scaffold that holds the nucleus of a cell together. Researchers believe that the defect of a Lamin A protein makes the nucleus unstable. That cellular instability appears to lead to the process of premature aging in Progeria.
Symptoms
A child may appear normal but during their first year, there are signs such as slow growth and hair loss. Soon he/she will begin to be shorter and weight less than other children their age. They may be still intelligence but their appearance are changing to baldness, age-looking skin, pinched nose, and a small face and jaw relative to head size. They may also suffer stiffness in joints, hip dislocations and severe disease.
Is there a cure?
No, there is still no cure for progeria but scientist are still searching for a cure for it.
Introduction to Progeria Syndrome
Progeria - Day in the Life
Effect on Body
A Normal Cell and A Progeria Cell
Looks
Resources
- http://www.progeriaresearch.org/about_progeria/
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/progeria/basics/definition/con-20029424
- https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/hutchinson-gilford-progeria-syndrome
- https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/gard/7467/progeria/resources/1
- https://www.genome.gov/11007255/learning-about-progeria/