News

Recently-characterized mutations that have been associated with mild AADC deficiency cause some alterations to the AADC protein, but do not drastically alter the protein’s structure, according to a new analysis. The data were presented at the WebPro meeting this May in a poster, titled “Compound…

Caregivers of children with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency spend the bulk of their days providing care, with most needing additional help and having to quit their jobs or greatly reduce working hours, according to responses to a questionnaire developed by PTC Therapeutics. “As with so many rare…

Using PTC-AADC gene therapy in children with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency was found to be relatively safe and led to improvements in motor function, cognitive abilities, and breathing, a review of six clinical trials found. The therapy also showed benefits in feeding, mood, and sleep among…

Examining cerebrospinal fluid — the liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord — remains the best way to diagnose aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, a recent study confirms. The investigation also found that measuring treatment response by routinely re-examining this fluid appears unnecessary, and that certain molecules found…

A viral vector-delivered gene therapy can restore the activity of the AADC enzyme in people with AADC deficiency for at least two years, research drawing on clinical trial data shows. Findings were in the study “Dopaminergic restoration of prefrontal cortico-putaminal network in gene therapy for aromatic L-amino…

More than half of the people with rare diseases and their caregivers, asked in a survey, were undecided or less than willing to be vaccinated for COVID-19 if a vaccine was approved under emergency use authorization instead of the routine process, the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Disease reports. These findings…

The investigational gene therapy PTC-AADC improved motor function in children with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency in several clinical studies, new data show. These findings were presented at this year’s American Academy of Neurology annual meeting by Mark Pykett, PhD, the chief scientific officer of PTC…

The EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases is accepting applications for a scholarship program that aims to help adults with a rare disease pursue personal goals through training and education. For a second year, the #RAREis Scholarship Fund — supported by Horizon Therapeutics – will award 35 one-time scholarships, each…

Diagnosing aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency in newborns is “feasible” using dried blood spots and readily available equipment, allowing for earlier and more effective treatment, researchers report. The study detailing this method, “Detection of 3-o-methyldopa in dried blood spots for neonatal diagnosis of aromatic l-amino-acid decarboxylase…

As anyone affected by a rare disease knows, treating the illness while trying to go about everyday life is an expensive undertaking.  But exactly how expensive — in terms of direct and indirect costs across rare disease populations — might still come as a surprise: almost…