Adrenoleukodystrophy Essay free essay sample

Adrenoleukodystrophy Adrenoleukodystrophy is a genetic disease that is passed on from mother to son. ALD is an X-linked disorder. That means it affects only males and is transmitted by a female carrier. This disorder is called X-linked since the genetic abnormality involves the X-chromosome. Women have two X-chromosomes while men only have one. In women, the affected X-chromosome, the one with the gene for ALD does not become active because of the presence of a normal copy of the gene on the other X-chromosome. Men have one X-chromosome and one Y-chromosome. In men who have an X- chromosome for X-ALD, there is no other X- chromosome for protection. ALD affects the nervous system in the brain. The disease strips away the coating or the covering of the nerves this covering is called myelin. What causes this to happen is the accumulation of long chain fatty acids that accumulate the brain and the adrenal glands. We will write a custom essay sample on Adrenoleukodystrophy Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The body normally produces these fatty acids but they are broken down by proteins in the peroxisome in cells but in people with ALD this does not happen. The most common sing that a person has ALD is personality and behavioral changes. Followed by learning disabilities, vision problems, attention deficit disorder, short and long-term memory loss, and loss of coordination or gait. There is not a cure for ALD but there is a medicine that can slow down the process. The most famous cure is called Lorenzo oil this oil was developed by Augusto and michaela Odone, Lorenzo’s parents. When Lorenzo was first diagnosed with ALD they were told there was not a whole lot that could be done because there was not allot of information about the disease because it was relatively new. The doctors tried radiation therapy that and other experimental treatments with no luck. In the end the only thing that was done for the Lorenzo was he was put on a diet that was very strict and lacked all fatty acids that contributed to the ALD. While the Adone’s watched his condition get worse and his fatty acid levels rise. The quality of Lorenzo’s like decreased drastically Lorenzo was reduced to a vegetable state, but they could not just let their son die. The Adone’s were not happy with the progress of the doctors because they wanted to keep ALD kids on the diet for a long time to see the results while the Adone’s want a quick cure. The only help they were offered was other doctors and support groups that did nothing to find a cure. They were very angered with the doctors and support gropes that did nothing but sat on their hands afraid to over step their boundaries. The Adone’s took it upon them selves to find a cure so Mr. Odone went to the library to learn everything he could about ALD and biochemistry he could so he could understand the disease better. He first came up with a type of olive oil that lowered the acid level about fifty percent. But sadly the level’s stayed at fifty percent. So Mr. Odone started all over again and this time he found a way to bring down the Lorenzo’s fatty acid level even lower, but the only problem was Mr. Odone needed was a mixture of olive oil and boric acid. Boric acid was not safe for human consumption and there was no doctor in the U. S. that would give any to the Odone’s due to its potential danger. So he then turned his search over seas to England where he found a doctor that would make some for them. Once Lorenzo started to take the mixture he started improve and his fatty acid level dropped to zero. Lorenzo is still alive to day and his miracle cure â€Å"Lorenzo’s oil† is use Adrenoleukodystrophy Adrenoleukodystrophy Adrenoleukodystrophy is a genetic disease that is passed on from mother to son. ALD is an X-linked disorder. That means it affects only males and is transmitted by a female carrier. This disorder is called X-linked since the genetic abnormality involves the X-chromosome. Women have two X-chromosomes while men only have one. In women, the affected X-chromosome, the one with the gene for ALD does not become active because of the presence of a normal copy of the gene on the other X-chromosome. Men have one X-chromosome and one Y-chromosome. In men who have an X- chromosome for X-ALD, there is no other X- chromosome for protection. ALD affects the nervous system in the brain. The disease strips away the coating or the covering of the nerves this covering is called myelin. What causes this to happen is the accumulation of long chain fatty acids that accumulate the brain and the adrenal glands. The body normally produces these fatty acids but they are broken down by proteins in the peroxisome in cells but in people with ALD this does not happen. The most common sing that a person has ALD is personality and behavioral changes. Followed by learning disabilities, ision problems, attention deficit disorder, short and long-term memory loss, and loss of coordination or gait. There is not a cure for ALD but there is a medicine that can slow down the process. The most famous cure is called Lorenzo oil this oil was developed by Augusto and michaela Odone, Lorenzo’s parents. When Lorenzo was first diagnosed with ALD they were told there was not a whole lot that could be done because there was not allot of information about the disease because it was relatively new. The doctors tried radiation therapy that and other experimental treatments with no luck. In the end the only thing that was done for the Lorenzo was he was put on a diet that was very strict and lacked all fatty acids that contributed to the ALD. While the Adone’s watched his condition get worse and his fatty acid levels rise. The quality of Lorenzo’s like decreased drastically Lorenzo was reduced to a vegetable state, but they could not just let their son die. The Adone’s were not happy with the progress of the doctors because they wanted to keep ALD kids on the diet for a long time to see the results while the Adone’s want a quick cure. The only help they were offered was other doctors and support groups that did nothing to find a cure. They were very angered with the doctors and support gropes that did nothing but sat on their hands afraid to over step their boundaries. The Adone’s took it upon them selves to find a cure so Mr. Odone went to the library to learn everything he could about ALD and biochemistry he could so he could understand the disease better. He first came up with a type of olive oil that lowered the acid level about fifty percent. But sadly the level’s stayed at fifty percent. So Mr. Odone started all over again and this time he found a way to bring down the Lorenzo’s fatty acid level even lower, but the only problem was Mr. Odone needed was a mixture of olive oil and boric acid. Boric acid was not safe for human consumption and there was no doctor in the U. S. that would give any to the Odone’s due to its potential danger. So he then turned his search over seas to England where he found a doctor that would make some for them. Once Lorenzo started to take the mixture he started improve and his fatty acid level dropped to zero. Lorenzo is still alive to day and his miracle cure â€Å"Lorenzo’s oil† is use