The disease Progeria is an extremely rare disorder and only 78 children are recorded in having this disorder. Progeria ages children 8 times faster than the normal rate of aging. Not only does the child have the visible signs of aging such as the wrinkled skin, but they also develop kidney failure, loss of hair, loss of eyesight, and cardiovascular complications. Children who are diagnosed with Progeria have a maximum life span of around upper teens to lower 20s. Scientist have done research and found that anoxygen reactive chemical causes damage to the DNA which causes the Progeria to take effect. Researchers have tested a drug called n-acetylcysteine to see if the damage could be corrected. N-acetylcysteine is already in use to treat liver damage. The drug corrects 2 problems which include, restoring damage to the DNA and fixing the cell shape. So far their trials have been successful; however, a clinical trial will be hard to come by seeing as how there are not enough applicants to be tested on for precise results. If there were a way to test their result on a wider range they might see a change in the disease a slowing down of the aging process in these children and therefore more advancements can be made one day dealing with anti-aging methods. There can be many benefits in the future due to this disorder. Progeria helps researchers look into the ways of aging to see what makes the body age and this way they
could possible “turn back” the clock and help with other diseases in which cells need to be restored.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15536744
1 comment:
This is definitely an area of medical research that can be seen as helpful not only to those with Progeria, but as stated in the article with researching aging. It would be helpful in more than one area in science, which makes it all the more useful to research.
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