Mutation Story

Part 1.

I wake up in the Chromosome 17, as a mutated gene in my host, Dave, he is of German and Jewish decent. My mutation was passed down from his mother, it causes me to direct production of ASPA which allows build up of NAA. This build up of NAA causes damage to myelin; a type of fat that surrounds nerve fibers. This causes Dave to have to lack of head control, abnormal muscle tone such as floppy or stiff, he won’t be able to walk, crawl, sit, or talk. Dave will most likely not be able to live past the age of 10. These things started to happen to Dave around the age of 3 – 9 months. Although, Dave’s parents weren’t affected they both carried the Canavan Disease gene and they had passed it down to him. All of this stuff began happening to Dave in infancy, but his first symptom was a seizure at the age of 4 months. As of right now Dave is 9 and a half years old and hes currently in the hospital after his 5th seizure this month, and things aren’t looking too good. The doctors said he had only has a couple of months left, since there is currently no know cure.

children who have Canavan disease

Part 2.

Ask.

What is Canavans Disease?

How does it affect someone?

How does someone get Canavans Disease?

How long does someone with Canavans Disease live?

Is there a cure or treatment?

 

 

Acquire.

Got most of my information from here and here and Wikipedia

Analyze/Apply

Canavan Disease is a progressive, fatal neurological disorder. It begins in infancy and caused by a lack of enzymes.

It affects someone with the symptoms being seizures, lack of head control, and some may not be able to walk, talk, crawl, or sit.

It is given to someone during infancy, and is passed from both the parents having the Canavan Gene.

The average life span is 10 years.

There is no cure, but treatment is treating individual symptoms.

 

Assess

This disease seems like its really serious and a cure for it should be created or at least more research should be done.