Fatal Familial Insomnia

Fatal familial insomnia (FFI) is a very rare sleep disorder that runs in families. The disorder affects the thalamus, which controls emotional expression and sleep.

The main symptoms of FFI is insomnia, but there are further complications such as dementia and speech problems. Eventually, FFI causes death within a few years of the condition developing.

FFI is caused by a mutation in the PRNP gene, causing attacks on the thalamus. As this neurodegenerative disease is caused by a mutation in the gene coding for prions, it is considered a prion disease.

There is an even rarer form of fatal insomnia known as sporadic fatal insomnia. Ricard Siagan documented his mental deterioration as he suffered from this disease, which brought attention to this otherwise overlooked condition.

Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160118-the-tragic-fate-of-the-people-who-stop-sleeping

https://www.healthline.com/health/fatal-familial-insomnia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_YFluy_Tp8&feature=youtu.be

https://www.amusingplanet.com/2020/03/fatal-familial-insomnia-death-by-sleep.html?m=1

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