|
The
Spastic Paraplegia Foundation is dedicated to advancing
research and ultimately finding the cures for two
closely related groups of neurodegenerative disorders
termed Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia and Primary Lateral
Sclerosis. These conditions share the common pathologic
feature of degeneration principally of the upper motor neurons.
The impetus for forming the
Foundation was inspired by the accelerating pace of
research on these conditions. Dramatic breakthroughs
have been made in the past decade, catapulting these
conditions from being poorly understood to being on the
threshold of significant treatment and cures.
Scientists have unraveled many of the
riddles regarding the complicated biochemistry of these
diseases. Many HSP genes have now been
discovered as well as a gene for PLS. Animal
models for these disorders are underway. These will enable investigators
to uncover the biochemical processes that cause nerve
degeneration and identify and test therapy targets. Please visit
Publications to review
recent HSP and PLS research studies.
An increased focus on our diseases
is timely and critical. There is indeed reason to hope
for treatments and therapies in coming years that will
restore significant function to people affected by SPF
diseases. And, uncovering more of these
riddles may also lead to important findings for related
conditions such as ALS, spinal cord injury and
Alzheimer's Disease. Researchers say common threads link
the many neurologic conditions that affect millions of
people.
Fostering communication and
collaboration between researchers, improving their
access to data and providing direction to their efforts
will accelerate the pace towards finding the cures for
many diseases. The SPF will support new
initiatives, take smart risks and make sure research
dollars are spent wisely.
The Spastic Paraplegia Foundation
is a volunteer managed and driven, publicly supported organization. Make a contribution
to research or discuss ways
your company can become a
partner.
Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) impacts more than 1 million people in the United
States diagnosed with neurologic disease or brain injury, such as multiple
sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig's disease
(ALS), Parkinson's disease, dementias including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and
traumatic brain injury.
If you or someone you know experiences episodes of uncontrollable laughing
and/or crying, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical study now
underway to find a treatment for pseudobulbar affect (PBA). Click
here if you are interested or would like
more information.
 PLS
genes:
-
ALSin (also see ALSin HSP gene below)
HSP
genes (32 genetic types have been defined with 14 genes
discovered to date)
Article
by John K. Fink, M.D.: The Hereditary Spastic
Paraplegias -
Nine Genes and Counting
(five more
genes have been
discovered since that article was published)
|
