This campaign has now closed

Expand neuroacanthocytosis (NA) research to help uncover the causes of devastating diseases such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s , obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia. They like NA are degeneration of the basal ganglia in the deep center of the brain that regulates movement and emotions.

100%
Categories

  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Beneficiaries

    Situation

    Universities depend on financial support from the wide community. To nurture the research effort we need to interest researchers in the scientific opportunities of NA, encourage them to propose well-documented projects and provide knowledgeable, professional and objective evaluation of the likely contribution of the proposed research projects. Finally, we must find seed money to start chosen projects until they find support from the governments, industry or large foundations.

    Solution

    Through further research. Advocacy financed research has found characteristics of NA red blood cell membranes that may affect circulation in cells and cause their death. Patients of one NA disease are missing one protein that in yeast is involved in circulation. We found an antibody to trace this protein in healthy cells and are looking closely at the protein in yeast. Artificial brain cells produced from skin now allow us to compare healthy and diseased living brain cells.

    100%
    Categories

  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Beneficiaries