Cause of fatal familial insomnia
A Fatal familial insomnia is a rare curse that affects about 40 families around the world. It is caused by prion diseases which can affect both humans and animals. The disease is called a prion disease because it is caused by a protein mutation in the brain. For some unknown reason, a protein molecule is unable to correctly bond with another protein molecule. The result is a protein molecule that is insoluble protein –like a form of plaque. Tiny bubbles begin to form in the brain cells in the thalamus – the part of the brain that controls sleep. Eventually the cells die, leaving a tiny hole where the cell used to be. This increasingly prevents the sufferer from losing consciousness – although their EEG readings show signs associated with REM sleep during waking hours. They are so sleep deprived, they are literally dreaming while awake.
