WERNER SYNDROME Meaning and
Definition
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Werner Syndrome, also known as adult progeria or adult premature aging syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder characterized by accelerated aging. It is named after Otto Werner, a German scientist who first described the syndrome in 1904. This autosomal recessive disorder typically manifests in early adulthood, between the ages of 20 and 30, and progresses rapidly.
People with Werner Syndrome experience a wide range of symptoms that resemble those of premature aging, including graying and loss of hair, thin and hardened skin, cataracts, osteoporosis, and short stature. They also tend to develop age-related diseases at an exceptionally young age, such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and certain cancers.
The underlying cause of Werner Syndrome is a mutation in the WRN gene, responsible for encoding a protein involved in DNA repair. This defect leads to a reduced ability to repair DNA damage, contributing to the accelerated aging process. Werner Syndrome is a relatively rare condition, primarily affecting individuals of Japanese and Sardinian descent, although cases have been reported in other populations as well.
Due to its progressive nature, there is currently no cure for Werner Syndrome. Treatment mainly focuses on managing the symptoms and complications associated with the disorder. Regular medical monitoring is crucial to detecting and addressing potential health issues promptly. Additionally, genetic counseling is essential for affected individuals and their families to understand the inheritance pattern and the risk of passing on the mutated gene to future generations.
Common Misspellings for WERNER SYNDROME
- qerner syndrome
- aerner syndrome
- serner syndrome
- eerner syndrome
- 3erner syndrome
- 2erner syndrome
- wwrner syndrome
- wsrner syndrome
- wdrner syndrome
- wrrner syndrome
- w4rner syndrome
- w3rner syndrome
- weener syndrome
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- wefner syndrome
- wetner syndrome
- we5ner syndrome
- we4ner syndrome
- werher syndrome
- wernwr syndrome
Etymology of WERNER SYNDROME
The word "Werner Syndrome" is named after the German physician Otto Werner, who first described the condition in 1904. Werner observed a group of patients who presented with accelerated aging and various age-related disorders. He published a paper titled "Uber Katarakt bei jüngeren Menschen" ("On Cataract in Younger People"), which detailed the characteristics and clinical features of the syndrome. Over time, the condition became widely known as Werner Syndrome in honor of Otto Werner's pioneering work.
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