In a major effort to strengthen rare disease care and research collaboration across the U.S., the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) announced it is expanding its Rare Disease Centers of Excellence Network by welcoming seven additional academic medical and research centers in five states. With these new sites,…
News
Computer-based analysis of doctors’ notes within healthcare records could dramatically speed up the diagnosis of rare diseases, such as AADC deficiency, a new study shows. By analyzing descriptions of a patient’s symptoms and history, this method could help flag those who face the long and often difficult journey to…
Surgery guided by MRI and computer navigation safely and accurately delivered Upstaza (eladocagene exuparvovec, marketed as Kebilidi in the U.S.) in two children with AADC deficiency, a study reported. “Gene therapy for AADC deficiency proved both feasible and safe, with early clinical improvements observed in motor function and…
A patient passport designed for people with rare diseases such as aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency can ease communication and care coordination challenges faced by patients and their caregivers, a pilot study showed. Participants reported that the passports — concise documents that summarize a person’s condition, care needs,…
Analysis of certain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that bathes the brain and spinal cord does not predict clinical outcomes following gene therapy in children and adolescents with aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency. That’s according to a recent study that analyzed CSF and clinical…
A new mobile app aims to make it easier for people with rare diseases — including aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency — and their caregivers to take part in research and long-term studies. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) designed the IAMRARE mobile app to connect directly with…
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) announced that its annual Rare Diseases & Orphan Products Breakthrough Summit centered on the theme “From Voices to Breakthroughs.” The event, held October 19-21 in Washington, D.C., highlighted how lived experiences fuel significant scientific and policy advancements. The event featured a…
The AADC Family Network will host its annual AADC Awareness Day event this Thursday, once again seeking to raise the profile of this ultra-rare genetic disease. The event, now in its sixth year, is held annually on Oct. 23 to raise awareness about aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC)…
The N-Lorem Foundation is gearing up for its Nano-Rare Patient Colloquium 2025 — the third year of its annual event to share the latest developments related to antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) treatment for individuals with extremely rare diseases. The forum, which will take place Oct. 20-21 in Cambridge, Massachusetts,…
A new analysis makes a case for the value of Kebilidi (eladocagene exuparvovec-tneq), the first gene therapy approved for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency. While the one-time treatment has a high cost, it leads to significant improvements in a patient’s quality of life and survival compared to…
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