Research

Paediatric Neurotransmitter Diseases Seminar
30 September 2008

Malaysia Visit ‘08

In November 2008, a group of three of the Trust’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board Members (funded by the Trust) and the Managing Director Lisa Flint (funded personally), will travel to Malaysia to set up AADC and other Neurotransmitter Testing Protocols, using an HPLC system at a laboratory at the University Putra Malaysia (UPM). This will enable Malaysia to carry out tests and accurately diagnose Neurotransmitter Diseases locally.

During the visit the group will also take part in discussions regarding an AADC PhD studentship research project. This will be funded and carried out at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) by Melati Khalid (mum of Lily, sufferer of AADC deficiency) and using the newly purchased HPLC system. The Trust will offer advice relating to the content of the PhD project, so that it compliments all existing global AADC projects already in place or under consideration.

To maximise the time spent in Malaysia the Trust will also work in conjunction with University Putra Malaysia, Faculty of Medicine and Health Services on a one day Seminar entitled:

A Seminar on Neurotransmitter Disorders

Among the seven organised speakers at the seminar will be two members of the Trust’s Medical & Scientific Advisory Board Members, Dr Simon Heales and Dr Wang Tso-Lee, along with the Trust’s PhD Student, George Allen, from UCL London and Dr John Earl of Westmead Children’s Hospital, Australia (Dr Earl was awarded a travel grant by the Trust to enable his participation in the Seminar).

UPM are expecting 100–150 medical professionals to attend. The presentations will act to enhance local knowledge and enable attendees to recognise symptoms associated with the subject. With their newly discovered knowledge doctors will be able to test locally and treat accordingly. Currently there are eight laboratories diagnosing AADC and neurotransmitter diseases, with only three being able to perform full AADC DNA sequencing.

Setting up more worldwide testing laboratories is an important part of the Trust’s mission which will undoubtedly unveil many more sufferers.

Who Can Attend

Families and Professionals are invited to attend the Seminar on Thursday 6th November however there is limited space so please register your interest as soon as possible.

Click below for the full details and registration form for the Seminar…
http://medic1.upm.edu.my/AADC/

Also contact Melati Khalid at jeiza@yahoo.com if you are an affected AADC family and wish to attend an ‘Open Forum’ discussion with Professionals about AADC Deficiency taking place on Wednesday 5th November (pm)