Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation Commits Up To $1 Million for Young Investigator Awards -- Foundation Seeks Researchers to Further Study Genetic Disease Impacting Infants
The Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation, in partnership with the American Academy of Neurology Foundation, today announced that they are seeking grant applications from investigators working on innovative spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) research projects. The Foundations will provide up to $1 million in research grants through their Young Investigator Awards initiative, a program to encourage and facilitate research by emerging young stars. The value of each individual grant is more than $350,000. The initiative is designed to accelerate progress towards a cure for SMA, the leading genetic killer of infants and toddlers.
New York, NY (PRWEB) May 25, 2004 -– The Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation,
in partnership with the American Academy of Neurology Foundation, today
announced that they are seeking grant applications from investigators working on
innovative spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) research projects. The Foundations will
provide up to $1 million in research grants through their Young Investigator
Awards initiative, a program to encourage and facilitate research by emerging
young stars. The value of each individual grant is more than $350,000. The
initiative is designed to accelerate progress towards a cure for SMA, the
leading genetic killer of infants and toddlers.
The program, which was
launched in 2003, provides promising researchers and their mentors the support
needed to initiate unique research projects that will provide invaluable
information into the cause, treatment and potential cure for SMA. Applications
from a broad range of research interests including genetics, physiology,
biochemistry and clinical medicine are highly desired, as are applications from
investigators new to the field of SMA.
“These grants demonstrate the
commitment to cutting edge research through encouragement of critically timed
support for promising young researchers,” said Thomas M. Jessell, Ph.D.,
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Director, Neuroscience Institute
at Columbia University and mentor for a 2004 grantee. “As funds for original
research become increasingly more difficult to obtain, the SMA program provides
solutions to issues at many levels in neuroscience and will support important
progress in SMA.”
Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic, motor neuron
disease characterized by the wasting of skeletal muscles. Caused by progressive
degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord, the disease leads to increasing
muscular weakness and atrophy. Spinal muscular atrophy is often compared to a
genetic form of polio. Over time, its victims continue to lose muscle control
and strength, leading to progressive inability to walk, stand, sit up and
eventually move. More than 50% of patients with SMA die before the age of
two.
"This is a critical time in SMA research, a time when the right
resources directed in the right places will lead to potential new treatments for
this disease," stated Loren Eng, SMA Foundation’s co-founder and president. “As
we enter our second year of the program, these awards will enable promising
young investigators the opportunity to pursue research that may yield huge
scientific dividends, with an immediate and rapid impact on the lives of SMA
patients.”
The program invites applications from investigators with an
interest in clinical research – MDs, DOs, MD/PhDs, and PhDs – who have completed
residency or post-doctoral training within the past 10-years and seek a
long-term career as an independent scientist in the area of
SMA.
Applications and supporting materials
should be submitted no later than October 1, 2004 to the American Academy of
Neurology Foundation. Grant applications and requirements are available on the
SMA Foundation web site, www.smafoundation.org or the American Academy of Neurology
Foundation web site, www.neurofoundation.org. For additional information, please
contact Scott Palmer by telephone at (651) 695-2756 or by e-mail at e-mail
protected from spam bots. Research grant recipients will be announced in January
2005. Funding of grant awards is anticipated in the summer of 2005.
About
the SMA Foundation
The SMA Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in
2003 dedicated to finding a treatment and potential cure for Spinal Muscular
Atrophy (SMA) through funding the implementation and advancement of clinical
research into the disease. In addition, the Foundation is committed to raising
awareness, education and increased federal funding and support. For more
information on the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation, visit www.smafoundation.org or
call (646) 253-7100.
About the AAN Foundation
The AAN Foundation is a
nonprofit organization dedicated to broadening the base of support for public
education and research in neurology. Its parent organization, the American
Academy of Neurology, is an association of more than 18,000 neurologists and
neuroscience professionals dedicated to improving patient care through education
and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing,
treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke,
Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, autism and spinal muscular
atrophy.
Media Contact:
Bryan deCastro, (631) 495-9177
e-mail
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Cynthia Joyce, (646) 253-7100
e-mail
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/5/prweb128926.htm