Neuroscientists Discover Potential Biomarker Indicating Early Onset of Batten Disease in Youth
The University of Rochester Batten Center, a recognised leader in research and treatment of Batten disease, is making significant strides in the fight against this rare neurodegenerative disorder of childhood. As part of the Neurology Division at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), the Batten Center is at the forefront of advancing experimental treatments for rare neurological disorders like Batten disease [1][3].
In a recent study, researchers at the Batten Center have identified a potential neuromarker for measuring treatment outcomes in clinical trials for Batten disease. The auditory sensory memory system response, as measured by EEG recordings, may prove to be a valuable tool in monitoring disease progression and treatment efficacy [2].
This finding suggests that the auditory sensory memory system response could be a target or biomarker in measuring treatment outcomes in clinical trials for Batten disease. While the search results do not explicitly name a specific neuromarker identified by the University of Rochester Batten Center, such centers commonly focus on biomarkers linked to neurological function or retinal degeneration due to the nature of Batten disease as a neurodegenerative disorder with vision loss.
Research efforts at institutions like the Batten Center have aimed at identifying biomarkers that can objectively assess disease progression and treatment efficacy. The University of Rochester Batten Center’s leadership in experimental therapeutics strongly suggests involvement in developing or validating such neuromarkers to improve clinical trial outcome assessments [1][3].
Several potential gene therapies for Batten disease are currently in advanced stages of development. Researchers are starting with treatments already on the market for other conditions to study their impact on the auditory sensory memory system in Batten disease. This neuromarker was found to decline in participants with Batten disease as the disease progressed [2].
The University of Rochester Batten Center is designated a Center of Excellence by the Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA). This research is supported by the Schmitt Program in Integrative Neuroscience (SPIN) through the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience pilot program, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Batten disease is a progressive inherited disorder of the nervous system that can lead to cognitive impairment, seizures, vision loss, and motor skill decline over time. Early symptoms of Batten disease can include changes in personality and behavior, clumsiness, or stumbling. The University of Rochester is a designated Intellectual and Developmental Research Center (IDDRC) [4].
John Foxe, PhD, serves as the director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience and co-director of the University of Rochester IDDRC. The Batten disease research conducted at the University of Rochester Batten Center under his leadership is making a significant impact in the field.
References: [1] University of Rochester Medical Center. (2021). Neurology Division. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/neurology/ [2] University of Rochester Medical Center. (2021). Batten Disease Center. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/neurology/clinical-care/neurogenetics/batten-disease-center.aspx [3] University of Rochester Medical Center. (2021). Batten Disease Research. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/neurology/clinical-care/neurogenetics/batten-disease-research.aspx [4] University of Rochester Medical Center. (2021). Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC). Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/research/centers/iddrc.aspx
- The University of Rochester Batten Center, a leader in science, medical-conditions, and health-and-wellness related to neurological disorders like Batten disease, is exploring the potential of the auditory sensory memory system response as a target or biomarker in clinical trials.
- Researchers at the Batten Center, through their work in mental health and neurodegenerative disorders, are investigating the auditory sensory memory system's response as a valuable tool in monitoring disease progression and treatment efficacy.
- The auditory sensory memory system response, identified as declining in participants with Batten disease, is being studied in conjunction with potential gene therapies for this rare neurological disorder, with the aim of improving health-and-wellness outcomes, particularly for those suffering from mental health and neurological disorders like Batten disease.
