Progeria - the secret to youth?
By Faye
@FayeHazel (40243)
United States
March 6, 2019 4:27pm CST
Way back in the day, when "The Learning Channel" was still about learning stuff and not about wack-a-do reality shows, (Come to think on it, it may have been the "Discovery Health" channel too- which was actually quite interesting before our cable carrier stopped carrying it.) - they showed programs about different of educational topics. One of those shows was one on the condition called Progeria.
Progeria is very rare - but those suffering with it are seemingly born old. These kids struggle with the effects of old age - in their single digits and remain small statured. The life expectancy according to the video I'm going to link to - is age 12. Though some Progeria sufferers have lived to their 20s.
There is no cure.
But I got to thinking, if some smart, science type person were able to figure out why these poor kids are aging so fast , (and there by cure it) - would we have a "cure" for aging in general?
Video:
SUBSCRIBE to Barcroft TV: http://bit.ly/Oc61Hj DESPITE there being only 155 known cases worldwide, a brother and sister BOTH live with progeria – an incredib...
12 people like this
13 responses
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
7 Mar 19
So true. It is unfortunate they have to go through this anyway - but maybe if something could be learned....?
2 people like this
@JWMILLER (3275)
• Westmoreland, Tennessee
7 Mar 19
@FayeHazel Cells seem to have a limited number of times to divide before the division stopps, which is known as aging. I doubt that aging can be stopped. Maybe it can
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
7 Mar 19
Sad illness. But if they can figure it out, I wonder if they could "cure" aging for all... ?
2 people like this
@xander6464 (44164)
• Wapello, Iowa
7 Mar 19
This could be where the cure for aging comes from. Researchers are already treating old age as a disease rather than a condition that nothing can be done about. So, from either end, people who are really old or kids with this disease, a cure should come.
2 people like this
@xander6464 (44164)
• Wapello, Iowa
7 Mar 19
@FayeHazel I would hope so. Unless it turns out that these kids have something completely different that just has the same symptoms of old age but even then, knowing how to treat actual old age should lead to a breakthrough for them.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
7 Mar 19
Oh that's a good way to think on it , too. Maybe in fighting (regular) old age - they will also figure something that works for these kids, too.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
7 Mar 19
@xander6464 The little I read suggests that it's something with the structure of their cells. But, I don't know if that's the same cell structure as "regular" aging or something else. :/
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
7 Mar 19
Me too, they seemed really well informed and to be dealing with the knowledge as well as possible. I did some more reading and found a British lady who is 41 with Progeria. She has a different look to her face than these kids - so maybe she has a different type of it (?) But I was happy to know it
2 people like this
@just4him (317040)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
8 Mar 19
@FayeHazel That's good she's lived so long. Hopefully, she'll live longer, and so will those kids.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
8 Mar 19
@just4him I hope so too. From the interview I read she seems to have a really positive attitude. I think that will help her.
2 people like this
@DesirousDreamer (34776)
• Peoria, Arizona
6 Mar 19
I have always been fascinated by this disorder. It would be really interesting what science and make of this. I guess it is a little harder to research because the kids are so young and probably not many parents want their kids to be experiments but I'm sure someone will have a breakthrough one of these days.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
7 Mar 19
It is really interesting. So sad - and the Progeria folks they interview seem so sweet with what it is they must deal with. I find it interesting how they all have that similar look, shape of face.
Ah true. I didn't think of that. Parents probably don't want their kids prodded around more than they already are I would imagine.
@DesirousDreamer (34776)
• Peoria, Arizona
8 Mar 19
@FayeHazel It sure is interesting. It really goes to show that there is so much to the human body that we still don't know. Humans are a never ending mystery!
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
10 Mar 19
@DesirousDreamer It's amazing. Fearfully and wonderfully made as Psalms says
@dgobucks226 (35565)
•
13 Mar 19
I remember seeing programs about that genetic disorder on TV. Can't remember the channel but it might have been 20/20 or a similar channel. It's quite an abnormality and it's amazing how the kids seem to deal with it so matter-of-fact. Katie Couric interviewed a 16 year old with the disease. Here is a clip:
Way back in the day, when 'The Learning Channel' was still about learning stuff and not about wack-a-do reality shows, (Come to think on it, it may have been...
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
13 Mar 19
It is amazing the amount of grace these kids deal with their disorder with. I wish they had a cure for them. Sorry the link didn't seem to work
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
14 Mar 19
@dgobucks226 Always amazed at how similar they look to each other.... must be something in the disorder
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35565)
•
15 Mar 19
@FayeHazel Yes I think so. The characteristics are the same similar to Down's Syndrome another genetic disorder.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72115)
• United States
12 Mar 19
@FayeHazel no not in real life sorry I meant in general like on TV and on the internet. I don't recall ever seeing one in person.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
12 Mar 19
Oh wow. Like, seen in person? I don't think I ever have. Poor little dears
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
13 Mar 19
@shaggin oh - I wondered.... there;s not too many of them in the world
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
7 Mar 19
I had been reading about this before Faye. Yes you have it right, if they could bottle the anti aging part..
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
8 Mar 19
The anti aging would be awesome, first to cure these little guys and gals, then the rest of us
@Fleura (30346)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 19
You can be sure that anyone with a rare disease has been carefully studied! You know you are in trouble if you find yourself described as 'an interesting case'! The cause of this disease seems to be well known, but although the symptoms are like those of aging, I think this is much more simple than what most of us experience which involves more different factors.
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@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
7 Mar 19
Poor kids, they ones I've seen interviewed all seem so sweet in spite of dealing with this
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
7 Mar 19
@DianneN So true 
Brave little ones. But now just recent I read an article about a British lady who has Progeria and is 41 - maybe there is more hope now.....
Brave little ones. But now just recent I read an article about a British lady who has Progeria and is 41 - maybe there is more hope now.....1 person likes this
@JWMILLER (3275)
• Westmoreland, Tennessee
7 Mar 19
There are all sorts o conditions that may be healed by genetic changes.
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
7 Mar 19
Oh so true. First to treat these poor kids - then the rest of us :-D
1 person likes this
