Tay-Sachs disease is a rare genetic disorder where harmful amounts of fat build up in nerve cells, causing seizures, loss of skills, and eventual death by age 5 in most cases. It is inherited when both parents carry a mutated gene and have a 25% chance of passing it to their child. Symptoms appear before 6 months of age and include losing abilities like smiling, crawling, and eye contact. Currently there is no cure, though supportive treatments can help manage symptoms. Testing for carriers is done with a blood test.