Fatal familial insomnia
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Normal bouts of insomnia are bad enough, but for some the condition is chronic and kills them within the span of about a year.
This particular strand of insomnia is called fatal familial insomnia (FFI), and there is no known cure for it. A somewhat complicated inherited brain disease, abnormal proteins in the brain clump together and causes tissue damage. As a result, the patient develops a gradually worsening — and fatal — insomnia.
But there are several stops in between. At the disease’s onset (between ages 18-60, but more likely middle age), the patient experiences very vivid dreams. Blood pressure skyrockets and hyperventilating may occur. Exhaustion begins to take its toll.
Then the paranoia and panic attacks start, which typically takes place for around four months. After that comes a period of extreme weight loss, usually lasting about three months. Then dementia sets in. The sufferer slowly becomes unable to speak or respond to others. This stage occurs over the next six months. This is the final stage of the disease, and death is imminent.
There is a glimmer of hope, however, as a drug called doxycycline has seemed to slow the clumping of tissue in the brain. Still, as of this writing the drug only shows an ability to slow the disease, not cure it.
Since this is a genetic disease, sufferers likely know if it runs in their family. A medical test that can detect the presence of fatal familial insomnia exists, but the question is: Would you even want to take it?
Intrigued by this look at sleep disorders? Next, read about the world’s weirdest mental disorders. Then, discover more of the terrifying realities of fatal familial insomnia.
