Dystonia Canada News

What is Chucks Run, Walk and Wheel for Dystonia?

The Chuck’s Run, Walk and Wheel 5KM for dystonia is a fun, family-friendly event, hosted at High Park, Toronto on Sunday, June 3, 2018 to raise awareness and funds for dystonia, a neurological movement disorder.

Registration: $39 or you can fundraise $150 and waive your registration fee.

Novel sophisticated research tools are providing investigators new ways to explore the genetics of dystonia. Researchers have the ability to quickly sequence individual genes, analyze whole genomes, and analyze gene expression patterns. Individuals and families who volunteer for genetic studies contribute invaluably to research progress.

A team of investigators led by William Dauer, MD of University of Michigan has made new discoveries about DYT6 dystonia, which affects children. DYT6 dystonia occurs when the body cannot properly produce a protein called THAP1, whose role and function in cells is unknown. Using a mouse model, Dr. Dauer and colleagues discovered that THAP1 is essential for myelination, a process during brain development that forms a protective coating around neurons. Read more...

DMRF and Cure Dystonia Now jointly supported a research investigation to explore whether a drug called AZD1446 could potentially provide relief for dystonia patients with fewer side effects than existing medications. Although AZD1446 did not demonstrate therapeutic effects in animal and cell models of DYT1 dystonia, the investigation produced important findings.

Mohawk College is offering a new post-graduate certificate program in Brain Disorders Management. The program will begin in the fall of 2017. It is the first of its kind in Ontario. More information is available at: http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/programs/graduate-studies/brain-disorders-m…

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was present on December 16, 2016 at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital  for the announcement of the donation of $20 million by the Larry and Judy Tanenbaum family. This gift, which McGill University calls “transformative”,  will help to establish the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute, to facilitate the sharing of neuroscience findings worldwide to accelerate the discovery of leading edge therapeutics to treat neurological conditions. Read more...

DMRF Scientific Director Dr. Mahlon DeLong has made pioneering discoveries in the neuroscience of movement and movement disorders that contributed greatly to the resurgence of functional stereotaxic surgery for these disorders. His long-time leadership at the DMRF has been transformational and inspired many in the dystonia field.

TORONTO, (June 1st, 2016) – Former NHL player Rem Murray is lending his star power to this year’s Chuck’s Run for Dystonia in an effort to shine a light on this debilitating movement disorder affecting approximately 50,000 Canadians. Not only is Rem participating in the 5km run but, diagnosed in 2004, he’s sharing his personal and painful dystonia story to help raise awareness and much needed research funds for this relatively unknown disorder.