You can educate Members of Congress about dystonia and how it changes lives. Join us for the Dystonia Advocacy Network’s virtual advocacy day on March 3, 2021. Register today. Join dedicated volunteers from across the country to advocate for the dystonia community on important issues like funding for research, creating research funding opportunities through the […]
This article was originally published in the Dystonia Dialogue. What is dystonia? Dystonia is a brain disorder resulting in involuntary, abnormal postures or movements of the body due to excessive muscle contractions. Dystonia may be the only neurological disorder a person has, or the dystonia may be part of a medical condition or disease with […]
This article was originally published in the Dystonia Dialogue. The DMRF was only a few years old in the late 1970s when Susan Aguilera’s seven-year-old daughter Emma was diagnosed with dystonia by a special panel of neurologists in San Diego. Finally there was an explanation for why her little girl had lost the ability to […]
Researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston led by Kristina Simonyan, MD, PhD, Dr med have developed a unique diagnostic tool that detects dystonia from MRI scans, the first technology of its kind to provide an objective diagnosis of the disorder. Dr. Simonyan is a former member of the DMRF Medical & Scientific Advisory […]
There are many types of dystonia, often presenting with very distinct symptoms. There is also a great deal of overlap in the physical manifestation of symptoms across the different types. Non-motor symptoms are common, including psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. There have been numerous genes identified to cause dystonia, and it is not […]
The Musicians With Dystonia program of the DMRF has been renamed The Leon Fleisher Foundation for Musicians with Dystonia, in memory of the influential and beloved pianist and prominent public champion for dystonia. Mr. Fleisher sadly passed away earlier this year. The Leon Fleisher Foundation for Musicians with Dystonia was created in 2000 by French […]
This article was originally published in the Dystonia Dialogue. The Covid-19 outbreak has had a disproportionate impact on individuals with disabilities and chronic medical conditions, including those with dystonia. There has been widespread disruption of local public services, delays in treatment appointments, and changes to everyday routines. The DMRF checked in with several members of […]
CLICK HERE ON SEPTEMBER 12 FOR LIVE STREAM BEGINNING AT 11AM CT. The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) has transitioned its popular local zoo walks into Virtual Dystonia Zoo Day on Saturday, September 12, 2020. The dystonia community is uniting online for a national day of action to boost dystonia awareness and raise funds for […]
The DMRF family sends our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of pianist extraordinaire Leon Fleisher who passed away on August 2 at the age of 92. Mr. Fleisher inspired countless audiences with his spectacular talent. He served as mentor for many musically gifted young artists and helped them tremendously with their careers. Mr. […]
Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by excessive muscle contractions that cause abnormal movements and postures. Dystonia is not caused by pathology in a specific brain structure, but by dysfunctional circuits of communication between multiple brain areas responsible for coordinating and controlling body movement. Despite substantial progress made in understanding various aspects of dystonia, there […]
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