Diseases and Conditions

Tay-Sachs disease

Overview

Tay-Sachs disease is a rare disorder passed from parents to child. It's caused by the absence of an enzyme that helps break down fatty substances. These fatty substances, called gangliosides, build up to toxic levels in the child's brain and affect the function of the nerve cells. As the disease progresses, the child loses muscle control. Eventually, this leads to blindness, paralysis and death.

If you have a family history of Tay-Sachs disease or if you're a member of a high-risk group and plan to have children, doctors strongly recommend genetic testing and genetic counseling.