Fatal Familial Insomnia

Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI) is a rare genetic disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep. It gradually leads to severe insomnia, where individuals find it increasingly difficult to sleep, ultimately resulting in physical and mental decline. Symptoms may include confusion, memory loss, and changes in behavior. FFI is caused by a mutation in the prion protein gene, and it is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, meaning a child has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition if one parent is affected. Unfortunately, FFI is progressive and ultimately fatal, often within a few years of onset.