22 September 2005 - Ataxia UK Scientific Conference
‘Therapeutic approaches for the ataxias - molecular & cellular studies’
Ataxia UK held a one day conference for ataxia researchers in London on 21 September. Such a gathering of top scientists is an ideal opportunity to discuss best future approaches for treatments of the ataxias.
A further objective was to encourage interest in ataxia research. Ataxia UK invited people already working in ataxia and others working in related fields of neuroscience. Delegates from the UK and mainland Europe attended.
The conference was chaired by members of Ataxia UK’s Scientific Advisory Committee, and the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee Dr Barry Hunt gave the introductory talk, telling the audience about Ataxia UK and its involvement in research.
Research presentations:
Professor Patrick Chinnery, Professor of neurology at Newcastle University and consultant neurologist gave a clinical overview of the ataxias. He also discussed some of his latest research on the prevalence of the inherited ataxias in the North East of England, funded by Ataxia UK which suggests that the ataxias are far more common than we thought previously.
Professor Annette Dolphin heads a large research team within the Pharmacology Department of University College London. She is particularly interested in the channels that allow calcium to enter cells. Her talk focused on research on episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2).
Professor David Rubinsztein (Cambridge Institute of Medical Research) spoke of approaches being tested in Huntington’s Disease, and argued that there are good reasons to believe that these approaches could also be applicable to some of the ataxias that have similar disease mechanisms.
Dr Mike Murphy has been exploring the use of antioxidants for conditions such as Friedreich’s ataxia. His team is working on the development of targeted antioxidants and may lead to the development of different antioxidants that could be tested therapeutically in combination. Dr Murphy felt that targeted antioxidants although not a cure could potentially slow or prevent the progression of Friedreich’s ataxia.
Professor Richard Festenstein (Imperial College and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London) developed an interest in Friedreich’s ataxia during his studies on gene expression, when he found that the system he was working on could be involved in the disease mechanism of Friedreich’s ataxia. He was awarded a PhD studentship from Ataxia UK to continue his research into Friedreich’s ataxia.
Dr Pierre Rustin (INSERM, Paris) is a leading expert on Friedreich’s ataxia, and much of his research has focused on the use of antioxidants. He gave an overview of novel approaches for the pharmacological treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia and seven potential therapeutic strategies.
ENDS
Further information from Dr Julie Greenfield, Research Projects Manager Ataxia UK research@ataxia.org.uk.
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