Tay-Sachs disease

[ tey-saks ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a rare fatal hereditary disease, occurring chiefly in infants and children, especially of eastern European Jewish origin, characterized by a red spot on the retina, gradual blindness, and paralysis.

Tay-Sachs disease

/ ˌteɪˈsæks /

noun

1. an inherited disorder, caused by a faulty recessive gene, in which lipids accumulate in the brain, leading to mental retardation and blindness. It occurs mostly in Ashkenazi Jews

Tay-Sachs disease

/ tā′săks′ /

1. A genetic disease in which the products of fat metabolism accumulate in the nervous system, causing retardation, paralysis, and death by preschool age. Individuals of eastern European Jewish descent have a higher risk of inheriting Tay-Sachs disease. The disease is named after its describers, British ophthalmologist Warren Tay (1843–1927) and American neurologist Bernard Sachs (1858–1944).

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tay-Sachs disease¹

1920–25; named after W. Tay (1843–1927), English physician, and B. Sachs (1858–1944), American neurologist

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tay-Sachs disease¹

C20: named after W. Tay (1843–1927), British physician, and B. Sachs (1858–1944), US neurologist