1. Canavan Disease
Nick Moore

2. What it is
inherited condition that effects the use and breakdown
of aspartic acids
aspartic acids are one of the nonessential amino acids
that occur in proteins.
passed down mostly from Ashkenazi Jews

3. causes an imperfect growth for the myelin sheath: fatty
covering which acts as an insulator around the nerve
fibers of the brain
the disorder causes the brain to degenerate into spongy
tissue riddled with microscopic fluid-filled spaces.

4. Symptoms
Feeding problems
Irritability
Seizures
Severe mental retardation

5. More Symptoms
loss of previously acquired motor skills
an abnormally large, poorly controlled head
abnormal muscle tone (floppiness or stiffness)

6. symptoms start to be visible by ages 3-6 months after
birth

7. Causes
Fatal disorder
blindness
unable to walk

8. Treatment
There’s no real effective treatment for this disease
except for treating the symptoms of Canavan Disease

9. Bibliography
Works Cited
Board, A.D.A.M. Editorial. "Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors." Canavan Disease. U.S. National Library of
Medicine, 18 Nov. 0000. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/
PMH0002553/>.
"MedicineNet.com." MedicineNet. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://www.medicinenet.com/canavan_disease/
article.htm>.
"NINDS Canavan Disease Information Page." Canavan Disease Information Page: National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Web. 01 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/
canavan/canavan.htm>.