New Gene Associated With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Identified

ScienceDaily (Mar. 3, 2009) — A collaborative research effort spanning nearly a decade between researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and King’s College London (KCL) has identified a novel gene for inherited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). This is the fourth gene associated with familial forms of the devastating neurological disorder.

Two papers, published in the February 27 edition of Science, report mutations in FUS/TLS, a gene known to play a role in DNA repair and the regulation of gene expression. The mutations affect the behavior of the FUS/TLS protein within cells and lead to deposits of abnormal protein within motor neurons.

“We found a series of mutations in a gene that interacts with biological pathways already implicated in ALS and other neurological diseases, resulting in familial ALS of differing inheritance patterns and varying severity,” says Thomas Kwiatkowski, MD, PhD, of the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MGH-MIND), lead author of the MGH report. 

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New 'Smart' Homes For Dementia Sufferers

ScienceDaily (Mar. 4, 2009) — Within five years innovative 'smart' sensing systems that will help the UK's 700,000 dementia sufferers live independently at home could be available commercially.

Once installed, the systems are designed to closely monitor people's movements and actions around the home. As well as providing voice-prompts (e.g. reminders to turn off a tap or cooker), they can also directly switch lights or appliances on and off in order to eliminate potential dangers.

Developed at the University of Bath with funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the systems incorporate specially developed, cutting-edge sensor, electronics and IT capabilities.

Two trial systems installed in care homes in London and the West Country have now been operating successfully for over a year.

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Gene That Modifies Severity Of Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease Found

ScienceDaily (Mar. 4, 2009) — Researchers have discovered a gene that modifies the severity of lung disease in people with the lethal genetic condition, cystic fibrosis, pointing to possible new targets for treatment, according to a new study in Nature.

Deleting this gene in mice confirmed its role in regulating inflammation and disease. After the animals' airways were infected with the bacterium that is a major cause of lung infection in cystic fibrosis, the mice experienced less inflammation and disease, said senior investigator Christopher Karp M.D., director of Molecular Immunology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Posted online by the journal Feb. 25 in advance of publication, it the first published study to use a genome-wide approach to look for genes that modify the severity of cystic fibrosis lung disease.

After analyzing the genetic makeup of nearly 3,000 people from two groups of cystic fibrosis patients – one from Johns Hopkins University and the other from the University of North Carolina and Case Western Reserve University – the researchers found that small genetic differences in a gene called IFRD1 correlate with lung disease severity.

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Schizophrenia Could Be Caused By Faulty Signaling In Brain

ScienceDaily (Mar. 5, 2009) — Schizophrenia could be caused by faulty signalling in the brain, according to new research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. In the biggest study of its kind, scientists looking in detail at brain samples donated by people with the condition have identified 49 genes that work differently in the brains of schizophrenia patients compared to controls.

Many of these genes are involved in controlling cell-to-cell signalling in the brain. The study, which was carried out by researchers at Imperial College London and GlaxoSmithKline, supports the theory that abnormalities in the way in which cells 'talk' to each other are involved in the disease.

Schizophrenia is thought to affect around one in 100 people. 

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Can Parasitic Hookworms Help In Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis?

ScienceDaily (Mar. 5, 2009) — Scientists from The University of Nottingham will study the potential health benefits of parasitic worms as part of a study investigating treatments for people with the autoimmune condition multiple sclerosis (MS).

It is thought that hookworms may play a role in damping down the immune system, which is overactive in people with MS, the most disabling neurological condition in young adults.

The £400,000, three-year project funded by the MS Society, aims to determine whether infection with a small and harmless number of the worms can lead to an improvement on the severity of MS over a 12 month period.

If the trial is successful, the worms have the potential to provide a simple, cheap, natural and controllable treatment for MS.

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Stem Cell Breakthrough: New Method For Creating Stem Cells

ScienceDaily (Mar. 2, 2009) — Mount Sinai Hospital's Dr. Andras Nagy discovered a new method of creating stem cells that could lead to possible cures for devastating diseases including spinal cord injury, macular degeneration, diabetes and Parkinson's disease. The study, published by Nature, accelerates stem cell technology and provides a road map for new clinical approaches to regenerative medicine.

"We hope that these stem cells will form the basis for treatment for many diseases and conditions that are currently considered incurable," said Dr. Nagy, Senior Investigator at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, Investigator at the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, and Canada Research Chair in Stem Cells and Regeneration.

"This new method of generating stem cells does not require embryos as starting points and could be used to generate cells from many adult tissues such as a patient's own skin cells."
Dr. Nagy discovered a new method to create pluripotent stem cells (cells that can develop into most other cell types) without disrupting healthy genes.

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Babies Learn Music While Sleeping

ScienceDaily (Feb. 27, 2009) — Early screening and treatment for infants with hearing problems, and the ability to computer-generate musical scores, are two very different possible outcomes of some “off-the-wall” research.

Until recently, little has been known about the perceptions humans have when they enter the world.Although adult perception has been extensively researched, how, or even if, the brains of newborn babies perceive patterns in the world remained a mystery. That mystery has been at least partially solved by an EU-funded research project, EmCAP, which brought together what many would consider an unlikely consortium, comprising both neuroscientists and music technologists.

What project coordinator Susan Denham describes as “blue-sky thinking” on the part of her and her colleagues when they initially proposed the project led to experiments involving playing music to newborn babies.

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Keys to Sucess; Strategies for ADD/ADHD

Please join PRO-Parents of SC for a Workshop

For Parents/Staff and others  of Children with Special Needs

Sponsored By: PRO-Parents of SC

Presented By: Chris Zeigler Dendy

Strategies for ADD/ADHD

Wednesday
April 29, 2009
8:30am-4:30pm
Glenforest School
1041 Harbor Drive
West Columbia SC 29169

Registration Deadline: April 15, 2009

Limited Parent scholarships -apply early
Foster parent scholarship available
Individuals $25.00
Couples $35.00
Cancellation fee: $20.00
if cancel prior to
4/15/2009
No refund after 4/15/2009

Call 1-800-759-4776
Or (803) 772-5688
If you are a person with a disability and require accommodations,
please discuss your needs
with Heather Watson-Kelley at  hwkelley@proparents.org

 

To view workshops, please click on title above

 

Check out the Building on Abilities Conference

About the conference

The YAI/NIPD Network conferences attract an annual attendance of over 3,000 people and have served as a major forum for the exchange of ideas, and for the introduction of new models and strategies which have had a profound and positive impact in our field. The focus of our conference will be based on treatment and practices, new models, and strategies which can enhance the lives of individuals with developmental and learning disabilities and their families.

About the YAI/NIPD Network

YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network is a President's Committee award-winning, not-for-profit, nonsectarian network of 7 agencies serving over 20,000 people of all ages and levels of developmental and learning disabilities daily. YAI/NIPD's more than 450 community-based programs are located throughout New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Orange and Rockland Counties, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico, and provide a full range of early intervention, pre-school, family supports, employment training and placement, clinical and residential services, home care, out-patient clinic services as well as recreation and camping services. YAI/NIPD is also a highly acclaimed professional organization, nationally renowned for our publications, conferences, training seminars, video training tapes and innovative television programs.

In-Depth Sessions on:

Advocacy/Self-Determination

Aging

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Challenging Behavior

Clinical Issues & Practices

Day Ser vices

Early Childhood

Employment/Transitions

Family Supports

Health Care/Wellness

Inclusion

Legal, Financial & Policy

Issues

Life Planning

Management/Supervisor y

Residential Ser vices

Sexuality

Sibling Issues

Special Education

Staff Training

Technology

Workforce

More than 300 Speakers * Over 170 Sessions

To view brochure:

http://yaiconference.org/documents/2009_Brochure.

Register online at: yai.org/conference

Underlying Sleep Problem Linked To Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder In Children

ScienceDaily (Mar. 2, 2009) — A study in the March 1 issue of the journal SLEEP suggests the presence of an intrinsic sleep problem specific to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and supports the idea that children with ADHD may be chronically sleep deprived and have abnormal REM sleep.

Results show that children with ADHD have a total sleep time that is significantly shorter than that of controls. Children in the ADHD group had an average total sleep time of eight hours, 19 minutes; this was 33 minutes less than the average sleep time of eight hours, 52 minutes, in controls. Children with ADHD also had an average rapid eye movement (REM) sleep time that was significantly reduced by 16 minutes.

According to the principal investigator and the lead author, Reut Gruber, PhD, director of the Attention, Behaviour and Sleep Lab at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, results of the study were encouraging, as the researchers were able to control for many confounding factors, which reduced some of the confusion and contradictions discovered in previous studies. Measuring sleep architecture in the children's beds at home using portable PSG, also allowed researchers to better represent the natural sleep pattern, thus increasing the validity of the study.

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PRO-PARENTS MARCH CALENDAR OF WORKSHOPS

THESE WORKSHOPS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC,
LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN REGISTERING.
TO SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP IN YOUR AREA
PLEASE CALL: 1-800-759-4776

3/03/2009
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
*

Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? Workshop
Saluda County DSS Office
613 Newberry Highway
Saluda, SC

Beth Barrett, PRO-Parents of SC
South Carolina Special Kids Project
Program Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-866-863-1512

3/03/2009
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop
Family Connection of SC
St. Johns Methodist Church
321 South Oakland Avenue
Rock Hill, SC

Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 3, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/07/2009
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Roles, Rights, and Responsibilities (IDEA) Workshop
Florence School District 2
Therapeutic Behavioral Services
103 Hickory Street
Pamplico, SC

Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 1, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/09/2009
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop
Family Connection of Greenville
Center for Developmental Services
29 North Academy Street
Greenville, SC

Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 3, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/10/2009
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Positive Behavioral Interventions (PBI) Workshop
Dorchester School District 4
Woodland High School
4128 Highway 78
Dorchester, SC 29437

Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 1, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/10/2009
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Transitioning Out of Special Education Workshop
(This Workshop is Presented Via the Internet and Conference Call)
Call PRO-Parents of SC to Register
** E-mail Address and Phone Required **

Tanya M. Inabinet, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 2, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/10/2009
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
*

ADD / ADHD Workshop
Horry DSS Office
1951 Industrial Park Road
Conway, SC

Beth Barrett, PRO-Parents of SC
South Carolina Special Kids Project
Program Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-866-863-1512

3/11/2009
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Positive Behavioral Interventions (PBI) Workshop
SC Youth Advocacy Program
3815 Montague Avenue
Suite 100
North Charleston, SC

Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 1, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/12/2009
10:30 am - 2:30 pm

Special Education Information Q & A Session
Calhoun County DDSN
L. Marion Gressette Center
78 Doodle Hill Road
St Matthews, SC 29135

Tanya M. Inabinet, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 2, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/12/2009
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop
Beaufort Exceptional Family Members Program
Building 807, EFMP Facility
Beaufort Air Station
Beaufort, SC

Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 1, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/12/2009
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
*

Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? Workshop
Knightsville United Methodist Church
1505 Central Avenue
Summerville, SC

Beth Barrett, PRO-Parents of SC
South Carolina Special Kids Project
Program Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-866-863-1512

3/14/2009
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Transitioning Into Special Education Workshop
Metro North Church
109 Central Avenue
Goose Creek, SC 29445

Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 1, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/14/2009
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Transitioning Out of Special Education Workshop
Metro North Church
109 Central Avenue
Goose Creek, SC 29445

Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 1, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/19/2009
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Transitioning Into of Special Education Workshop
(This Workshop is Presented Via the Internet and Conference Call)
Call PRO-Parents of SC to Register
** E-mail Address and Phone Required **

Tanya M. Inabinet, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 2, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/19/2009
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
*

Positive Behavioral Interventions (PBI) Workshop
Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church
5503 Sunset Blvd
Lexington, SC

Beth Barrett, PRO-Parents of SC
South Carolina Special Kids Project
Program Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-866-863-1512

3/24/2009
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Transition Out of Special Education Workshop
Oconee DDSN
116 South Cove Road
Seneca, SC 29672

Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 3, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/24/2009
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
*

Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? Workshop
Richland County DSS Office
3220 Two Notch Road
Columbia, SC

Beth Barrett, PRO-Parents of SC
South Carolina Special Kids Project
Program Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-866-863-1512

3/26/2009
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
*

Positive Behavioral Interventions (PBI) Workshop
Clarendon DSS Office
3 South Church Street
Manning, SC

Beth Barrett, PRO-Parents of SC
South Carolina Special Kids Project
Program Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-866-863-1512

3/27/2009
11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Positive Behavioral Interventions (PBI) Workshop
Cherokee DDSN
959 East O’Neal Street
Gaffney, SC 29340

Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 3, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/30/2009
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
*

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop
Child Enrichment Center
Lee & Bartdale Blvd
Spartanburg, SC

Beth Barrett, PRO-Parents of SC
South Carolina Special Kids Project
Program Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-866-863-1512

3/30/2009
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop
Greenwood School District 50
Instructional Services Center
100 Merrywood Drive
Greenwood, SC 29649

Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC
Region 3, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call: 
1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

U.S. States Expand Newborn Screening For Life-threatening Disorders

ScienceDaily (Feb. 18, 2009) — Regardless of where they are born in the United States, nearly all newborns now receive mandated screening for many life-threatening disorders, a remarkable public health advance of the last four years, according to a new report issued today by the March of Dimes.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia now require that every baby be screened for 21 or more of the 29 serious genetic or functional disorders on the uniform panel recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) and endorsed by the March of Dimes. If diagnosed early, these disorders can be successfully managed or treated to prevent death, disability, or other severe consequences such as mental retardation.

Although all states now have laws or rules that require the screening, as of December 31, 2008, Pennsylvania and West Virginia still must implement their expanded programs, according to the March of Dimes report card.

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Babies & Robots: Infant Power Mobility On Display

ScienceDaily (Feb. 16, 2009) — Children with mobility issues, like cerebral palsy and spina bifida, can’t explore the world like other babies, because they can’t crawl or walk. Infant development emerges from the thousands of daily discoveries experienced by babies as they move and explore their worlds.

Mobility-deprived kids start exploring when they can operate a traditional power wheelchair, typically at age 3 or often older.

Research done by University of Delaware researchers is turning that on its head and could potentially change the way these children’s brains develop.

Physical therapy professor Cole Galloway and mechanical engineering professor Sunil Agrawal have developed tiny power chairs babies as young as 6 months can operate using a joystick.

Now, they’ve paired with Permobil, a national producer of power chairs, and outfitted a chair for toddlers.

To View Entire Article, Please Click On the Link Above.