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Tay-Sachs Disease

GeneticHexosaminidase A deficiency1881 (described)Inherited
TypeGenetic
CauseHexosaminidase A deficiency
First Known1881 (described)
TransmissionInherited

About Tay-Sachs Disease

Historically most common among Ashkenazi Jews, French Canadians, and Cajuns, though it occurs in all populations. Carriers have no symptoms but can pass it on. Always fatal, usually by age 4. Carrier screening since the 1970s reduced incidence by 90%. A model for genetic disease prevention.

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