Understanding Fatal Familial Insomnia: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Fatal Familial Insomnia

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

General

Fatal familial insomnia (FFI) is a rare familial disorder that affects the thalamus, a brain area that controls, among others, sleep. It is a fatal disorder that may bring the person to death within a few years after the appearance of the symptoms. FFI forms part of the group of prion diseases which are rare conditions affecting neurons.

23 people with Fatal Familial Insomnia

Learn from others who are experiencing Fatal Familial Insomnia.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms may include trouble falling or staying asleep, muscle twitching and spasms, kicking and moving while sleeping, loss of appetite, and dementia. In advanced stages, symptoms may include speech problems, inability to sleep, mental and cognitive deterioration, loss of coordination, excessive sweating, and fever.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based upon findings from medical history and physical examination. Further evaluation may include sleep study, PET scan and genetic testing.

Treatment

There is no cure for FFI and the treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms with sleep medications, for example.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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