Meeting in Paris on Myoclonus Dystonia
At the end of September prof. Marina de Koning-Tijssen, prof. Dineke Verbeek and Elze Timmers travelled to Paris for a meeting focused on the rare movement disorder myoclonus dystonia.
his meeting was organized by the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) and chaired by prof. Marina de Koning and prof. Marie Vildailhet.
Experts from over the whole world gathered in Paris to discuss the results of their research and brainstorm about possible future studies. Prof. Marina de Koning and Elze Timmers also presented the results of their research on myoclonus dystonia, which was subsidized by the DMRF. These presentations were about the influence of the substance serotonin and the natural course of myoclonus dystonia.
It was a very productive meeting; useful ideas were exchanged, new collaborations were set up and plans were made for the future.
The newsletter of the DMRF - October 2018 reports the following about this meeting:
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Research Update - Myoclonus Dystonia This past September, with support from the Brown Family Foundation (BFF), the DMRF hosted a scientific workshop on Myoclonus Dystonia (M-D). Chaired by Drs. Marie Vidailhet and Marina de Koning-Tijssen, participants (above) included leading experts in this type of dystonia. Workshops are proven catalysts for new ideas and collaborations, and often inform areas of focus for calls for research proposals. By gathering experts, we can critically assess progress in this field of research, identify gaps and make recommendations for future research priorities. M-D, a genetic form of dystonia, is characterized by rapid jerking movements alone or in combination with the sustained muscular contractions and postures of dystonia. The study of M-D is important both because it is an intensely disabling disorder and because studying the genetics of this form is helping to clarify inheritance patterns for all dystonias. |