The curious case of Progeria

This is what a person looks like when they age 5 times faster than normal; the boy in this photo is only a child. The appearance of people with progeria can be described as small, wrinkled, and hairless with a frail, weak body and large head. Studies have shown that a person with progeria will have the body in a similar condition to that of an 80 year old by the time they are 15! People born with progeria rarely live past their early 20’s as their internal organs cease to function.
Scarily, the condition is caused by a random genetic mutation, meaning anyone could potentially have a child with the affliction; fortunately there are only known cases in the world right now, so the chances are pretty slim.
Researchers are hopeful that by understanding this condition they can unlock the secrets of the aging process.

Progeria was first described in 1886 by Jonathan Hutchinson.It was also described independently in 1897 by Hastings Gilford.The condition was later named Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome. The word progeria comes from the Greek words "pro" , meaning "before" or "premature", and "gēras" meaning "old age".Scientists are interested in progeria partly because it might reveal clues about the normal process of aging.