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nprof1 · Oct 25, 2007, 04:44 PM

I am interesred in finding out about and the name of a disease that makes a person age potentially severial years in each normal year. Robin Williams supposedly had this disease as the chacter Jack in his movie by the same name "Jack".

shygrneyzs · Oct 25, 2007, 05:34 PM

Are you thinking about progeria, or Hutchinson-Gilford progeria Syndrome?

Progeria is a rare genetic condition characterized by an appearance of accelerated aging in children. Generally, children that are 10 years of age will have the same respitory, muscular, and general health of a 70 year old adult.

The general characteristics are dwarfism, baldness, a pinched nose, small face and jaw relative to head size, delayed tooth formation, aged-looking skin, stiffness of joints, hip dislocations, generalized atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular problems. Most children affected have a remarkably similar appearance, despite racial background. At present, there is no cure or specific treatment available because the exact cause in unknown.

Associated Disease: Werner Syndrome
AKA: Progeria of the adult

More Information: The Progeria Research Foundation
Source: THE PROGERIA SYNDROME FACT SHEET
Written by W. Ted Brown, MD, PhD
Professor and Chairman, Dept. Of Human Genetics
NYS Institute for Basic Research
Staten Island, NY