The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) was founded on the promise two parents made to their child. 45 years ago, Sam and Fran Belzberg vowed to do whatever it took to find answers for their newly diagnosed daughter and for people everywhere living with dystonia. They imagined a future without dystonia and the DMRF’s commitment […]
Dystonia researchers need your help: A questionnaire supported by the Dystonia Coalition seeks to create a list of things that are most troublesome for people with blepharospasm, a focal dystonia of the eyelid and brow muscles. Specifically, they want you to tell them whether these things are important to you. If they are important to […]
Mike Delise and Jason Dunn are on a mission to find a cure for dystonia $5 at a time. They are also educating the world about this under-recognized brain disorder that affects more people than ALS, muscular dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis combined. Mike became passionate about increasing dystonia awareness after meeting Jason, a childhood friend […]
The Center for Neurosciences at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research conducts one of the nation’s leading brain imaging programs directed by neuroscientist, David Eidelberg, MD. The program is internationally recognized for developing new techniques to identify and measure patterns and circuits of brain function in people with disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, […]
DMRF extends congratulations to Kristina Simonyan, MD, PhD, Dr med, Director of laryngology research at Mass Eye and Ear, for being awarded an $11.9 million P50 Clinical Research Center Grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communicable Disorders (NIDCD) of the National Institute of Health (NIH) to form a new multidisciplinary center across […]
Thank you to everyone who stepped up to support Virtual Dystonia Zoo Day to benefit the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF). The following videos are excerpts from the program on September 25, 2021. There is still time to donate! Below is a pre-recording of the Loosey Goosey Exercise Warm Up. Below is a recording of […]
Dystonia is a neurological disorder that affects the physical body, but the impact goes far deeper and may affect a person’s emotional and mental health. Individuals diagnosed with dystonia commonly experience symptoms that affect more than how the body moves. If you are feeling depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, please consider reaching out for help. The […]
Frances Belzberg, who in 1976 co-founded the DMRF with her late husband Samuel Belzberg, was one of 16 individuals appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest recognition. More than 250 individuals were nominated this year. In 1996, Ms. Belzberg was appointed to the Order of Canada, the nation’s second highest honor of […]
Several research teams reported major advances in the development of new drugs to treat movement disorders including dystonia. In one of the preclinical studies, investigators have identified several compounds that retain the beneficial effects of anticholinergic drugs like Artane® while eliminating side effects. Another research group successfully corrected dystonic brain abnormalities in mice with a […]
This article was published in the Dystonia Dialogue. Medical treatment for dystonia is available, but effectiveness varies. Few treatment options, on their own, provide 100% relief. Living well with dystonia often requires creative adaptations invented by those experiencing the disorder firsthand. An international team of clinicians recently published examples of the “self-concocted, curious, and creative” […]
English