The human psyche is far from perfect. The brain is an extraordinarily complex organ, yet it remains a biological structure built through countless molecular interactions that ultimately give rise to consciousness. That consciousness is inherently fragile. At some point in life, most people will experience psychological crises, traumatic events, or emotional responses to everyday stressors. Illustration by Rob Dobi (Getty Images) Mental health professionals—including psycholog

Fatal Familial Insomnia is a rare, fatal, autosomal dominant neurodegenerative prion disease. FFI is caused by mutation in PRNP gene, causing misfolded proteins (prions) in the brain, particularly in thalamus, where sleep-wake cycle is controlled.