Deater Foundation Helps Sponsor a Third International Symposium:
“Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapy of Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy Type 1”
By Tami Newcomer Murphy
The Deater Foundation, Inc. (DFI) recently had the privilege of helping to sponsor a third international HSAN1 symposium, which was held November 14-16, 2013 in Boston. These conferences are a valuable use of DFI’s resources as they bring together top scientists from around the world who are working on research to understand the causes, mechanisms, and potential treatments for HSAN1, the disease that has afflicted the Deater family for generations, and has been identified in others around the world.
Researchers presented their work on various aspects of HSAN1, including basic research at the cellular level, animal models, and human trials.
Some of the current research and updates included:
- Dr. Florian Eichler (Massachusetts General Hospital): Presented his findings in HSAN1 mice suggesting that diet may be a factor in how the disease progresses. Feeding the HSAN1 mice a diet high in fat seems to cause an earlier onset of the disease. Supplementation of the amino acid L-serine in mice has shown that amino acid selection plays a role in the disease, and perhaps lipids (fats) may as well.