Page 15 - Biotechnology newsletter 2023-24

Alice in wonderland syndrome(AIWS): In this syndrome the
person might have altered perception of body parts or sizes of
other objects are perceived incorrectly. Causes of this disease
might be typical migraine, temporal lobe epilepsy, brain tumors,
psychoactive drugs or Epstein-barr-virus infections. There exists
no effective treatment yet.
Symptoms: Derealization. Depersonalization. Somatopsychic
duality (feeling of being split in two). Disruption in sense of time
and change in perception of body and external objects.

Harlequin syndrome: It is a rare dysautonomic syndrome caused
by unilateral blockade of the T2-T3 fibers which results in
hemifacial discolouration with one half of the face being flushed
and the other half being pale. It can be caused by an injury,
compression or blockade of sympathetic fibers along the pathway.
It is a benign self-resolutive syndrome.
Symptoms: On the affected side of the face, skin is flushed,
sweating and warm to the touch. Runny nose, watery eyes are
some less common symptoms.

~ Rochelle Kathryn Rocha
S.Y.B.Sc Biotechnology

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