Scientists created a new cell model of AADC deficiency that has allowed them to understand exactly how two disease-causing mutations in the DDC gene affect the AADC enzyme. According to the team, the new model “is useful to study the molecular basis of the disease.” It “recapitulates some key…
Telerare Health is now offering virtual genomic consultations to people in Minnesota, with the aim of helping those with rare genetic disorders get accurate diagnoses and start treatment, according to a company press release. The genome is a person’s complete set of DNA. Genomics, therefore,…
A new documentary aims to raise rare disease awareness by focusing on the struggles faced by families of children with rare conditions. Rare: A Rare Disease Revolution is being submitted to film festivals worldwide, and was recently screened at a rare disease day event hosted by Illumina, a company…
Researchers at Oregon State University are developing an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot to help doctors diagnose rare disorders like aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency. “In the long term, I’m convinced that AI will have a profound impact on health care,” Stephen Ramsey, PhD, associate professor of…
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) will host its first rare disease scientific symposium, in hopes of advancing rare disease research. The NORD Rare Disease Scientific Symposium will be held June 2-3 in Washington. Online registration is available. The symposium “offers a rare opportunity to bring together…
More than half of all therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2024 were designed to treat rare diseases, according to an advisory firm that helps life sciences companies navigate the commercialization process. One such approval was for Kebilidi (eladocagene exuparvovec-tneq), a gene therapy developed…
Researchers in the U.K. have developed a new method to help identify people with undiagnosed AADC deficiency based on data from healthcare records. The method was described in a study, “Interrogation of coded healthcare data to facilitate identification of patients with a rare neurotransmitter disorder; Aromatic…
An international program that screened more than 160 children thought to have movement disorders like cerebral palsy led to one child being diagnosed with AADC deficiency, a study reports. The study, “REVEAL-CP: Selective Screening of Pediatric Patients for Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency with a Guthrie…
Through a series of interviews with doctors, caregivers, and members of the general public, scientists have calculated new health state utilities (HSUs) that can be used to make economic assessments about the impact of AADC deficiency on a patient’s quality of life. “The HSUs generated here reflect an accurate…
Comprehensive testing and continual re-evaluation of available data are needed to diagnose adults with rare genetic diseases, a new study from researchers in South Korea highlights. “Our findings emphasize the importance of a strategic approach [to a rare disease diagnosis] in adults, especially those with known family history and symptoms…
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