What causes Batten disease?

What causes Batten disease?

Batten disease is a genetic disorder. It’s inherited (passed down through families). It only happens when both parents are carriers of a gene with a mutation (mistake). For a baby to be born with Batten disease, both parents must pass along a copy of the faulty gene.

The gene that causes Batten disease affects the body’s ability to break down and dispose of cellular waste. Lipids (fats), sugars and proteins build up in cells all over the body. They especially affect the brain cells. The buildup causes the body to stop working properly.