CHICAGO, Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) has announced the recipients of its most prestigious research award, the Stanley Fahn Award. The 2011 awards were given to Pedro Gonzalez-Alegre, M.D. at University of Iowa and Antonio Pisani, M.D. at University of Rome.
Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that causes muscles to contract and spasm involuntarily. The involuntary muscle contractions force the body into repetitive and often twisting movements as well as awkward, irregular postures. Dystonia affects men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds, causing varying degrees of disability and pain from mild to severe.
At present, there is no cure for dystonia and scientists around the world are working to better understand this disease. The Stanley Fahn Award is given to young investigators who conduct groundbreaking dystonia research with the hope of finding better treatments. The DMRF established this award in honor of Stanley Fahn, M.D. of Columbia University in New York who has made visionary and lasting contributions to the field of dystonia.
Dr. Gonzalez-Alegre is a pioneer in applying RNA interference techniques to genetic forms of dystonia, which typically affect children and are profoundly disabling. Dr. Gonzalez-Alegre's latest investigations use molecular methods to advance our understanding of the pathogenic process underlying dystonia. The goal of his current research is to determine how dystonia-causing genes and proteins alter neuronal coding and noncoding RNA networks, aiming to gain a better understanding of the pathogenic process that causes inherited dystonia.
Dr. Pisani previously identified a link between a dystonia-causing gene mutation and changes in specific neuronal receptors. His latest work further explores the effects of this mutation on neurotransmitter interactions in the brain. Dr. Pisani will now study the interplay of various receptors during development in mice. Identification of functional abnormalities in receptor signaling will identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
Founded in 1976, the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to serving all people with dystonia and their families. Additional information about dystonia, the DMRF, and the Stanley Fahn Award may be obtained by visiting www.dystonia-foundation.org or contacting the DMRF at 312-755-0198 or dystonia@dystonia-foundation.org.
Contact: Jody Roosevelt, Science Manager
Ph: 312-447-5150 E: jroosevelt@dystonia-foundation.org
SOURCE Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
