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PiscesExplaining Childhood Alzheimer's
Family battles rare disorder that affects 200 children worldwide.
Four-year-old twin girls are fighting for their lives and their memories due to Niemann-Pick Disease--otherwise known as "Childhood Alzheimer's."
It's a rare disorder that damages internal organs, causes early onset
dementia, and is inevitably fatal.
Never heard of it? Neither had we. Pediatrician and friend of Mom•Logic Dr. Gwenn
says, "In Niemann-Pick Type C, the body can't break down cholesterol,
so it ends up in places that it shouldn't--like the brain. With a
buildup of cholesterol in the brain, the child will develop symptoms
similar to Alzheimer's over time."
How worried should Moms be? "This is so rare that most Moms shouldn't worry," Dr. Gwenn says. But if anyone else in your family has this condition or you belong to one of the high-risk groups, then she recommends seeking genetic counseling and testing. For more information on Niemann-Pick Disease, click here.
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Niemann Pick Type C is rare and fatal lipid disease that is genetic in nature and therefore inherited. It is frequently referred to as the “Childhood Alzheimer’s” because it causes progressive neurological deterioration with symptoms including dementia, seizures, and cataplexy (complete collapse to the floor from laughing or strong emotions). The genetic mutations are located on Chromosome 18 and children inherit faulty genes on this chromosome from both parents, which causes the disease. Parents are considered “carriers” as they only carry one faulty gene.
Harmful amounts cholesterol (called lipids) accumulate in the spleen, liver, lungs, bone marrow and brain of Niemann Pick Type C patients. It’s a devastating illness that is rare — there are only 500 (not 200 as your story mentions) cases worldwide. Yet understanding Niemann Pick Type C might unlock the mysteries to many more common illnesses because Niemann Pick Type C regulates cellular cholesterol metabolism in the human body which is critical for survival.
Chris Hempel
Mom To Addi and Cassi
Twins suffering from Niemann Pick Type C
www.addiandcassi.com
www.theprojectcharity.org