What is the Dystonia Coalition, and how is it helping drive progress in dystonia research? Research collaboration is critical to advancing treatments and improving lives. Learn about ongoing efforts to better understand dystonia through research and patient advocacy group collaboration by watching a recording of the recent DMRF webinar exploring the work of the Dystonia […]
Summer months bring higher temperatures, and the need for greater awareness about the potential effects of heat on your health. According to the National Weather Service, people with chronic medical conditions, those who take certain medications, live alone or have limited mobility can experience adverse effects during extreme heat events. “Any stress tends to exacerbate […]
The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF), a leading non-profit organization dedicated to funding research to find a cure for dystonia, is proud to announce its 2026 grant and fellowship recipients. This year, the DMRF awarded six grants and fellowships for basic and clinical dystonia research projects. These grants and fellowships will support scientists investigating the […]
In this issue: Why Does the DMRF Fund Basic Research? Dystonia Support Groups Meet People Where They Are Personal Profile: Ginny Bryan Focus On: Rare Genetic Forms of Dystonia DMRF Recognizes 50 Years of Making a Difference to the Dystonia Community DMRF Remembers the Legacy of Mark Hallett, MD MOVERS & SHAKERS: Turning Your Passion […]
The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation looks forward to serving the dystonia community throughout the new year, and 2026 marks a notable milestone as we acknowledge our 50th anniversary. The DMRF was founded in 1976 by Samuel and Frances Belzberg, of Vancouver, British Columbia, after their daughter was diagnosed with dystonia. Dedicated to serving the needs […]
On Nov. 13-14, 2025, the DMRF hosted a meeting on “Neuromodulation in Dystonia.” Neuromodulation involves treatments that use mild electrical pulses to alter nerve activity in targeted areas of the brain or nervous system to reduce muscle spasms and contractions. The meeting was chaired by Noreen Bukhari-Parlakturk, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Duke […]
If you have ever considered a clinical trial for a new dystonia treatment, you may have questions about what clinical trials are and what may be expected of trial participants. To get answers to these questions and more, watch the recording of the DMRF webinar, “What You Need to Know About Clinical Trials” on the […]
Inside this issue: Get the researchers’ perspectives on the 2025 DMRF Grant and Fellowship awards. Learn more about the Definition and Classification of Dystonia Update. Focus On: Cervical Dystonia. Meet Lansing Zoo Day co-organizer and dystonia advocate Barry Casler. Discover how medical treatments and complementary therapies can manage dystonia pain. Observations on the Medical and […]
The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation appreciates your ongoing support, and you can learn more about what you helped us accomplish last year in the 2024 DMRF Annual Report, which is now available on our website. Thanks to the efforts of our donors, volunteers and sponsors, the DMRF was able to extend our reach in many […]
The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation is welcoming six new members to the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council this year. We look forward to working with them and having them as part of the DMRF. Robert Chen, MA, MBBChir, MSc, FRCPC University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada Darius Ebrahimi-Fakhari, MD, PhD Boston Children’s Hospital Boston, MA […]
English