4. Fatal Familial Insomnia

This is an extremely rare brain disease which mainly affects people between their 30’s and 60’s. FFI attacks the thalamus; a gland which both controls sleep cycles and acts as a relay point for communication within the brain. This progressive neurodegenerative disease is known as a prion and it attacks by killing off neurons within the brain itself, causing a rapid decline in health. Symptoms such as sudden weight loss, unnaturally high or low body temperature, dementia and progressively worse insomnia are all calling cards for FFI.

Once symptoms begin to show, the patient’s conditions will quickly worsen as the brain begins to shut down. As of now, there is no known treatment for this condition and death is expected 12 to 18 months once symptoms arise.