INFORMATION ON TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS
WHAT IS TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS?
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a congenital genetic disease characterized by certain skin abnormalities and birthmarks, tuber-like growths in the eyes, the brain, and other internal organs, and varying severity of epilepsy and mental retardation. Once considered a rare disorder, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex affects about 1 in 6000/10,000 persons in the population. It is often difficult to recognize as it manifests itself differently from person to person. Individuals affected by the disease fall into three broad categories:
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NON-AFFECTED 
Individuals in this category have significant signs of the disease but no debilitating effects. They are of normal intelligence and symptoms are minor. Unfortunately, misdiagnosis is high in this group of individuals, resulting in the disease being passed on to their children. |
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MILDLY AFFECTED
Individuals who are mildly affected have brain structural abnormalities that require some on-going treatment. They may have epilepsy, but it can usually be controlled with medication. Mildly affected individuals may have normal intelligence, specific learning disabilities or behavioural difficulties, or may be mildly retarded depending on the nature of their brain abnormalities. Individuals in this category of the disease may have further medical complications from internal organ tumors. |
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SEVERLY AFFECTED
Individuals who are severely affected by Tuberous Sclerosis Complex develop severe brain complications early in life, and are often moderately or severely mentally retarded. Marked behavioural difficulties, communication problems, sleep distress, or autistic tendencies are also characteristic of the severely-affected. |
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