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Disease name : Angelman syndrome

bear upon population : The disorder is believed to affect somewhere between1 in 12,000 and 1 in 24,000 people , although these figures may be underestimated . Many cases of Angelman syndromecan go undiagnosedbecause the disordershares symptoms and characteristics with other conditions . Men and women are every bit potential to experience the disorder .

Composite image of four images of a young girl with Angelman syndrome. In two of the images she is facing she camera, in another she is side on to the camera and the other image shows her hands. Behind the composite image is a blurred, enlarged version if it.

A young girl with Angelman syndrome.

Causes : Angelman syndrome is a genetic disorder named after Dr. Harry Angelman , who firstreported it in 1965 . The disorder chiefly affects thecentral nervous system , signify the brain and spinal cord , and it ’s because of mutant in the UBE3A gene . This cistron carries educational activity for a protein needed to preserve thenormal maturation and function of cells , including neurons in thebrain .

In each jail cell , humans typically have 23 pairs ofchromosomes — thread - like structures that houseDNA . One parent contributes half of each chromosome pair , and the other parent contributes the other one-half . UBE3A is settle on chromosome 15 . Mutations that cancel the gene or convert its social system , mapping or activitycan make Angelman syndrome . In many case , a mutation break spontaneously on the copy of the gene from the mother .

The genetic mutations behind Angelman syndrome usually occur randomly , butbetween 3 % and 5 % of childreninherit them from their parents . In around 10 % of multitude with the condition , the accurate cause of the syndrome ca n’t be identified .

A girl with Angelman syndrome is pictured playing with bubbles in the air

Angelman syndrome causes severely delayed development and learning disabilities.

Related : unexampled genetical suit of intellectual disability potentially uncovered in ' junk DNA '

symptom : masses with Angelman syndrome normally bulge to develop symptoms of the disorder in early childhood . These include developmental problems , such ashaving trouble sitting unsupported or babbling , that become apparentaround historic period 6 to 12 month .

As the disorderliness progresses , affected people maystruggle to speak and walkbecause of equalizer and coordination issue . They may also see seizure , whichusually start when a child is between 2 and 3 eld old . what is more , some the great unwashed with the circumstance may have classifiable facial features , such asa outstanding chin , deep - adjust eyes or abnormally wide oral cavity . People who have the syndrome usually havea normal lifetime expectancy .

A close-up picture of a little boy biting her nails.

Symptoms of Angelman syndrome can sometimes beconfused with other disordersthat also cause developmental delays , such asautismorcerebral palsy , possibly leading to misdiagnosis .

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handling : There is currently no cure for Angelman syndrome .

However , several handling option subsist to aid manage their symptoms . For example , doctor mayprescribe anti - epileptic drugsto mastery patient ' seizures . physiatrics and communication therapy can also help to respectively improve patients ' power to walk and transmit with others without speaking — by using hand gesture or signal , for model .

a photo of a young girl with her face mottled by sun damage

This article is for informational purposes only and is not mean to offer medical advice .

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