In which group is Tay Sachs disease most commonly found?

Tay-Sachs disease is most commonly associated with individuals of Eastern European Jewish descent, also known as Ashkenazi Jews. This group has a significantly higher carrier rate for Tay-Sachs due to a historical genetic bottleneck that occurred in the population. The disease is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme hexosaminidase A, which is essential for breaking down GM2 gangliosides in the body.

Genetic studies have shown that carriers of Tay-Sachs among Ashkenazi Jews can reach about 1 in 27, which is notably higher than the general population. This increased prevalence is due to both genetic factors and the historical context of these communities, where certain genetic disorders have persisted through generations due to relatively closed populations and marriage patterns.

While Tay-Sachs can occur in other populations, particularly in certain French Canadian, Cajun, and certain Arabic-speaking communities, the prevalence in those groups is lower than in those of Eastern European Jewish descent.