Fatal familial insomnia

Disease Overview

Fatal familial insomnia (FFI) affects the thalamus, the part of the brain that controls the sleep-wake cycle. Symptoms typically begin between the ages of 40-60 years. The most common symptoms are sleep disturbance, psychiatric problems, weight loss, and balance problems. Other symptoms include high blood pressure, excess sweating, and difficulty controlling body temperature. These symptoms tend to get worse over time. FFI is usually fatal in 6-36 months. Almost all cases of FFI occur due to a specific variant in the PRNP gene and are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Diagnosis is based on the symptoms, clinical exam, sleep study, and imaging studies. The results of genetic testing can help confirm the diagnosis. Treatment for FFI is focused on managing the symptoms.[15892][15893][15894][15895][15896]

Synonyms

• Familial fatal insomnia
• Insomnia familial fatal