An estimated 250,000 people in the United States have dystonia, a chronic movement disorder affecting the brain and nervous system. It is the third most common movement disorder after essential tremor and Parkinson disease. Dystonia causes excessive, uncontrollable muscle spasms. The muscle spasms twist the body and limbs into involuntary movements and awkward postures. Estimates […]
The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation is launching a dystonia awareness video contest as part of Dystonia Awareness Month activities throughout September. Individuals are invited to submit a video to demonstrate how they explain what dystonia is, and how it affects them, to other people. The purpose of the video is to help promote greater public […]
Thirteen cities across the country are hosting Dystonia Zoo Walks in 2019. The purpose of these fun community events is to increase public awareness of dystonia, a little-known but surprisingly common neurological disorder. Proceeds support the mission of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF), which supports urgently-needed medical research toward a cure and programs for individuals and families […]
The DMRF, in partnership with Dystonia Europe, is proud to announce the Samuel Belzberg 6th International Dystonia Symposium, a research conference to take place June 4–6, 2020 in Dublin, Ireland. The meeting is named for DMRF Co-Founder Samuel Belzberg who passed away in 2018. Co-Chairs are H. A. “Buz” Jinnah, MD, PhD of Emory University […]
The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of the botulinum neurotoxin Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA) as a first-line treatment of blepharospasm in adults, as announced in a press release from Merz. Blepharospasm is a focal dystonia that causes muscles around the eyes to contract involuntarily. Individuals with blepharospasm may experience excessive blinking, light […]
Congratulations and many thanks to event organizer Mandi Sleeper and her 100+ supporters who participated in the Nashua Dystance4Dystonia Walk in New Hampshire on May 5 to support the mission of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF). The event was covered by The Telegraph, bringing much-needed awareness to the community. Estimates suggest the event raised […]
The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) could not function without dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers. This includes the Board of Directors, Medical & Scientific Advisory Council, support group leaders, online forum moderators, event organizers, fundraisers, awareness activists, legislative advocates, area contacts, clinical study recruits, and countless others who lend their time and energy to support DMRF and […]
The Motor Neuroscience Lab at Michigan State University is recruiting right-handed adults with cervical dystonia who are currently undergoing treatment using botulinum neurotoxin injections for a study examining how the brain controls arm movements. Participants will be asked to move a joystick or robotic handles to control a cursor on a computer screen while their […]
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, […]
Do you have the genetic forms of dystonia known as DYT6 (THAP1) or DYT25 (GNAL)? Have you or your child had previous positive genetic testing for either DYT6 (THAP1) or DYT25 (GNAL)? If yes, you and family members, aged 7 or older, can become part of the Dystonia Partners Research Bank at Massachusetts General Hospital. […]
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