Neurofibromatosis-Faith

= __**Neurofibromatosis**__=
 * tumors develop from nerve tissue
 * There is no known cure for NF1 or NF2 although people can have surgery to remove the growth tumors

__NF1__
 * affects the peripheral nervous system
 * Is caused by a mutation in the NF1 gene on chromosome 17
 * is a large gene and makes a protein called neurofibromin
 * by making slightly different mRNA the body can control where and when neurofibromin is found
 * has development in the forebrain as well as in neurons, muscles and other tissues
 * may have a number of pigmented spots on the skin
 * Benign growth called neurofibromas can develop throughout the body and can cause bone abnormalities
 * May have learning disabilities

__NF2__
 * is an adult-onset disorder
 * affects the central nervous system
 * is caused by a mutation on the NF2 gene on chromosome 22
 * the gene produces a protien called merlin
 * Merlin is in the nerve cells and wrap around the axons of nerve cells
 * merlin binds to a receptor protein called CD44 ,which is in the cell membrane, and suppresses cell growth
 * if merlin is mutated or absent cell growth is uncontrolled
 * Merlin is a suppressor protein
 * develop growth around the nerve of the ear and other central nerves systems which can lead to deafness
 * because of the location of the growth it is difficult to treat

__How is NF1 and NF2 inherited?__
 * half the people with NF1 and NF2 inherit it from a parent who has the disorder
 * In the other half neither parents have the disorder, but they develop the disorder when one of their NF1 or NF2 genes mutates before birth
 * every unborn child in the world has a 1 in 10,000 of getting NF1 or NF2 through a mutation before birth

__How is it treated?__

__What's it like to have NF?__