Dystonia Canada News

Cervical dystonia is a focal dystonia that affects the head and neck. Cervical dystonia produces excessive muscle contractions in the neck. These muscle contractions cause involuntary, repetitive movements and awkward positions of the head, neck, and sometimes shoulders.

Cervical dystonia is sometimes referred to as spasmodic torticollis.

Cervical dystonia may cause:

The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) Canada, in partnership with Allergan Canada, is pleased to announce the selection of the candidate for the first-ever Clinical Fellowship for Movement Disorders, with a specialty in dystonia.  Please click here to learn more.

Details of the study and eligibility details are available here. Canadian patients are welcome to participate in the study if eligible. The exception for international participants is that while some travel expenses are covered once participants have been enrolled in the study, only certain expenses within the United States can be covered. 

Approval is based on the first large-scale neurotoxin trial to demonstrate meaningful functional improvement in pediatric lower limb spasticity

The Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Canada Inc., the Canadian affiliate of Ipsen (EURONEXT PARIS: IPN) (ADR: IPSEY) today announced that Health Canada has approved DYSPORT THERAPEUTIC™ (abobotulinumtoxinA) for the treatment of lower limb spasticity in pediatric patients two years of age and older.

Click here for the press release. 

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.

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.