It is very likely that as a fan of Gillian you have heard of NF. You may also know that the reason for her deep involvement in NF-related issues is her younger brother, Aaron, who is afflicted with the disease. But do you really need to know any more than that? Yes, you do.
What is Neurofibromatosis?
Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow along various types of nerves and can affect the development of other tissues such as bones and skin. NF is not "Elephant Man's Disease!"
There are two distinct types of Neurofibromatosis; NF1 also known as von Recklinghausen NF or Peripheral NF. In 1882, Dr. Friedrich von Recklinghausen was the first person to accurately describe this disorder in medical literature. NF1 is the more common form of NF, affecting approximately 1/3500 people worldwide. It is characterized by multiple cafe-au-lait spots and tumors on or under the skin. Enlargement and deformation of bones and curvature of the spine (scoliosis) may also occur.
NF1 can affect nerves throughout the entire body, and occasionally, tumors may develop in the brain on cranial nerves or on the spinal cord. Roughly 50% of people with NF also have learning disabilities. 50% of people with NF have inherited the disorder from a parent. 50% have no family history and represent new mutations.
The second type is NF2 also known as Bilateral Acoustic Neurofibromatosis (BAN) of Central Bilateral Acoustic NF. This type is much more rare occurring in 1/50,000 births worldwide. NF2 is characterized by multiple tumors on the cranial and spinal nerves, and by other lesions of the brain and spinal cord. Tumors usually affect the auditory nerves and hearing loss beginning in the teens and early twenties are generally the first symptoms.
Research into NF began only twelve years ago by The National Neurofibromatosis Foundation, Inc. (NNFF) and Neurofibromatosis, Inc., is still relatively new. There have been many promising results. In the last five years researchers have been able to discover the two genes causing NF and the gene products encoded by the genes. Both NF1 and NF2 are genetically determined disorders that affect more than 100,000 Americans making NF more prevalent than Cystic Fibrosis, hereditary Muscular Dystrophy, Huntington's Disease and Tay Sachs combined.
To learn more about Gillian's involvement, visit the Gillian Anderson Web Site.
And be sure to visit the NFInc website for more information about the disease and what you can do to help.
This information was obtained from GAWS.
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