A Reason for Optimism: Scientist diagnosed with the rare disease that took her mother's life dedicates her life to finding a cure | A Story Worth Sharing

A Reason for Optimism: Scientist diagnosed with the rare disease that took her mother's life dedicates her life to finding a cure | A Story Worth Sharing

Why this story matters: Amid constant bad news, it’s important to highlight examples of progress that rarely make the front page. Quick summary: This story highlights recent developments related to disease, showing how constructive action can lead to meaningful results. When Sonia Vallabh’s mother died as a result of prion disease in 2010, she quickly found out that she, too, had inherited a genetic mutation for the same disease that had claimed her mother’s life. Prions are abnormally folded proteins that form toxic clumps in the brain and cause rapid neurodegeneration. There is no treatment or cure, and those with the genetic mutation have no idea when the disease might come for them. About 1 in 50,000 people have the same high-risk genetic marker as Vallabh. Would you like to read more good news about Disease , Rare , Diagnosed , Life , Mothers , and Cure ? After learning about the mutation, her mortality was quickly brought into question, and Vallabh experienced the same fear and grief any …