Inherited Human Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (IHTSE), also commonly known as genetic prion diseases, are a group of rare genetic disorders that cause progressive degeneration of the brain. These conditions are characterized by the accumulation of abnormal prion proteins, which leads to the destruction of brain cells and the formation of sponge-like holes in the brain tissue.
IHTSE refers to a specific subset of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) that are directly inherited through genetic mutations. Unlike other forms of TSEs, such as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) that can be acquired through consumption or exposure, IHTSEs are passed down from one generation to the next.
This group of disorders includes several different conditions, such as familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (fCJD), Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS), and fatal familial insomnia (FFI). Each of these disorders has distinct clinical features and genetic mutations, although they all share the common characteristic of abnormal prion protein accumulation.
Symptoms of IHTSE typically manifest in adulthood and may include cognitive decline, memory loss, psychiatric symptoms, movement abnormalities, and eventually, neurological deterioration leading to severe disability and death. The onset and progression of the disease may vary depending on the specific genetic mutation involved.
Due to their genetic nature, IHTSEs can be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning that an affected person has a 50% chance of passing the mutated gene to their children. Genetic counseling and testing can help individuals with a family history of IHTSEs understand their risk and make
