N Engl J Med October 1986 PMID 3762620

Fatal familial insomnia and dysautonomia with selective degeneration of thalamic nuclei.

E Lugaresi, R Medori, P Montagna, A Baruzzi, P Cortelli, A Lugaresi, P Tinuper, M Zucconi, P Gambetti

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Mentions

20
Peak: 10 in Jan 2020
across 4 sources since Jan 2020

Extended reach

537,265
potential audience

Total likes

4,473

Video views

181,764

Mentions per month

Jan 2020 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter14 posts
  • Bluesky2 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Blogs2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions demonstrate a high interest due to references to the historical discovery of FFI and its symptoms, like insomnia and dysautonomia, emphasizing its seriousness. The tone varies from detailed mentions of brain degeneration in specific nuclei to more general remarks about the disease's fatal nature, showing a moderate level of engagement and recognition of its potential impact on medical research.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the severity and significance of the condition described in the publication, reflecting a general consensus on its importance.

InterestHigh interest

The mentions of historical context, autopsy findings, and the rare nature of the disorder indicate a high level of interest among those discussing the research.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts referencing specific details, such as brain regions involved and patient symptoms, show moderate engagement, although some comments are superficial.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations highlight the potential impact of understanding FFI on diagnosing and managing rare neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that the publication influences ongoing research and awareness.

Abstract in brief

  • This study discusses a rare genetic disorder called Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI), which leads to progressive sleep loss, neurological decline, and death, primarily due to the degeneration of specific parts of the brain called the thalamic nuclei.
  • It also highlights the presence of dysautonomia in affected patients, meaning they experience problems with automatic body functions like heart rate and blood pressure, which are linked to the thalamic damage.
  • The research emphasizes that the selective degeneration of certain thalamic nuclei is a key feature of this disease, helping to understand its symptoms and potential pathways for diagnosis or treatment.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Avraham Z. Cooper, MD
@AvrahamCooperMD · X

4/ The first description of FFI occurred in 1986 in an Italian family who had multiple members across generations succumb to a neurodegenerative condition w/ insomnia, dysautonomia, cognitive/behavioral decline, myoclonus, and eventual death. https://t.co/UAN6AlSg6I https://t.co/CiMjgqfj8R

Sep 22, 2024 · 23 likes · 1 share · 115,794 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

For most of us, insomnia isn't deadly. But there's a rare condition called familial fatal insomnia that's as serious as the name suggests. https://t.co/kyYPUqlmAx https://t.co/dkBUflkwxw

Jan 23, 2020 · 19 likes · 3 shares · 114,673 followers View post →
Avraham Z. Cooper, MD
@AvrahamCooperMD · X

6/ At autopsy, the man's brain showed "marked neuronal loss and reactive astrocytosis", specifically in the dorsomedial and ventrolateral nuclei of the thalamus. https://t.co/UAN6AlSg6I https://t.co/xTJF4hCgai

Sep 22, 2024 · 17 likes · 115,794 followers View post →
Charles Ikenna
@CharlesIkenna23 · X

When Insomnia Becomes Deadly https://t.co/G4KYZ4DCIr via @YouTube

Jan 23, 2020 · 2 likes · 1 share · 3,223 followers View post →
Researching the Brain
@Brain_Database · X

Fatal Familial Insomnia and Dysautonomia with Selective Degeneration of Thalamic Nuclei | New England Journal of Medicine https://t.co/a0gtv4lx9a

Aug 5, 2025 · 1 like · 1,038 followers View post →
Avraham Cooper
@avrahamcoopermd.bsky.social · Bluesky

4/ The first description of FFI occurred in 1986 in an Italian family who had multiple members across generations succumb to a neurodegenerative condition w/ insomnia, dysautonomia, cognitive/behavioral decline, myoclonus, and eventual death. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3762620/

Nov 14, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share View post →

All mentions

Researching the Brain
@Brain_Database · X

Fatal Familial Insomnia and Dysautonomia with Selective Degeneration of Thalamic Nuclei | New England Journal of Medicine https://t.co/a0gtv4lx9a

Aug 5, 2025 · 1 like · 1,038 followers View post →
Avraham Cooper
@avrahamcoopermd.bsky.social · Bluesky

6/ At autopsy, the man's brain showed "marked neuronal loss and reactive astrocytosis", specifically in the dorsomedial and ventrolateral nuclei of the thalamus. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3762620/

Nov 14, 2024 · 1 share View post →
Avraham Cooper
@avrahamcoopermd.bsky.social · Bluesky

4/ The first description of FFI occurred in 1986 in an Italian family who had multiple members across generations succumb to a neurodegenerative condition w/ insomnia, dysautonomia, cognitive/behavioral decline, myoclonus, and eventual death. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3762620/

Nov 14, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Almansour
@malmansour81 · X

RT @AvrahamCooperMD: 4/ The first description of FFI occurred in 1986 in an Italian family who had multiple members across generations succ…

Sep 22, 2024 · 1 share · 215 followers View post →
Avraham Z. Cooper, MD
@AvrahamCooperMD · X

6/ At autopsy, the man's brain showed "marked neuronal loss and reactive astrocytosis", specifically in the dorsomedial and ventrolateral nuclei of the thalamus. https://t.co/UAN6AlSg6I https://t.co/xTJF4hCgai

Sep 22, 2024 · 17 likes · 115,794 followers View post →
Avraham Z. Cooper, MD
@AvrahamCooperMD · X

4/ The first description of FFI occurred in 1986 in an Italian family who had multiple members across generations succumb to a neurodegenerative condition w/ insomnia, dysautonomia, cognitive/behavioral decline, myoclonus, and eventual death. https://t.co/UAN6AlSg6I https://t.co/CiMjgqfj8R

Sep 22, 2024 · 23 likes · 1 share · 115,794 followers View post →
Elise Larsson
@EliseLarsson · X

When Insomnia Becomes Deadly https://t.co/QYRJvn9t0f via @YouTube

Feb 4, 2020 · 239 followers View post →
Tasso60097800
@Tasso60097800 · X

RT @CharlesIkenna23: When Insomnia Becomes Deadly https://t.co/G4KYZ4DCIr via @YouTube

Jan 24, 2020 · 1 share · 3,018 followers View post →
João M
@nababu · X

Jan 24, 2020 · 569 followers View post →
QuAsR
@QuAsR · X

When Insomnia Becomes Deadly https://t.co/g8pwWDLRrt

Jan 23, 2020 · 100 followers View post →
Evan Wilhelms
@evanwilhelms · X

RT @SciShow: For most of us, insomnia isn't deadly. But there's a rare condition called familial fatal insomnia that's as serious as the na…

Jan 23, 2020 · 3 shares · 152 followers View post →
William Wallace
@bill14051 · X

RT @SciShow: For most of us, insomnia isn't deadly. But there's a rare condition called familial fatal insomnia that's as serious as the na…

Jan 23, 2020 · 3 shares · 328 followers View post →
Bern Taukimo
@bern_taukimo · X

RT @SciShow: For most of us, insomnia isn't deadly. But there's a rare condition called familial fatal insomnia that's as serious as the na…

Jan 23, 2020 · 3 shares · 146 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

For most of us, insomnia isn't deadly. But there's a rare condition called familial fatal insomnia that's as serious as the name suggests. https://t.co/kyYPUqlmAx https://t.co/dkBUflkwxw

Jan 23, 2020 · 19 likes · 3 shares · 114,673 followers View post →
Charles Ikenna
@CharlesIkenna23 · X

When Insomnia Becomes Deadly https://t.co/G4KYZ4DCIr via @YouTube

Jan 23, 2020 · 2 likes · 1 share · 3,223 followers View post →
Govna
@TotallyNotGovna · X

https://t.co/Fk2apyqvFF aaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa

Jan 23, 2020 · 156 followers View post →
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