Canavan+Disease

=**CANAVAN DISEASE**=

What Is Canavan Disease?
Canavan Disease is a genetic disorder in which the white matter in the back of the brain degenerates. This genetic disorder is most common in the Ashkenazi Jews of eastern Poland, Lithuania, western Russia, and Saudi Arabians. Every 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jews carry the Canavan Disease-causing alleles. 99% of the Ashkenazi Jews carry the alleles, while about 50-55% of non-Jewish people carry those diseased alleles. Canavan Disease was found in 1931 by a man named Myrtelle Canavan. Canavan Disease is listed in a group of genetic disorders called Leukodystrophies, which are genetic disorders that cause damage to the white matter in the back of the brain. The affects of Canavan Disease is usually shown by the age of 3-5 months old. There are three types of Canavan Disease, neonatal, infantile, and late onset.



For a baby to obtain Canavan Disease both parents must be carriers of the disorder

What Are The Symptoms Of Canavan Disease?
There are many symptoms of Canavan Disease; loss of motor skills, uncontrollable head movement, mental retardation, eating problems, potential blinding, Increasing head circumference, seizures occur, and heartburn occurs. Canavan Disease usually kills the baby by the age of 4, and if they are lucky, up to 20.

Cures Or Treatments?
There has been no cure discovered, but there is a diagonosis for symptomatic individuals. The diagnosis the pattient is given a large amount of N-acetyl asperatic acid (NAA) which is found in urine.

How To Detect Canavan Disease?
Canavan Disease can be detected early on by a blood, or DNA test.

How Is Canavan Disease Caused?
Canavan disease is caused by unhealthy growth in the gene for an enzyme called "aspartoacylase".

1. Where is the Canavan Disease most commonly found, and what group of people are the main holders of the genetic disorder? 2. If a male Ashkenazi Jew carrying the Canavan disease(Cc) mates with a woman who is not at all associated with the genetic disorder(CC) what are the possible out comes for the couples babies? 3. Name three effects of Canavan Disease and explain how these problems would make a person life harder.
 * Discussion Questions:**