News

Sanfilippo syndrome’s characteristic buildup — to toxic levels — of the complex sugar molecule heparan sulfate appears to affect the production of aldosterone, a hormone that controls blood pressure, leading to serious complications, researchers report. They detail what is likely the first known case of…

Rare Disease Day at NIH, organized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and taking place on March 1, will feature panel discussions, patient stories, research updates, TED-style talks, and a presentation by a Nobel laureate recently recognized for her work on a gene editing tool. The free, virtual…

People with rare disorders have a worse healthcare experience than those affected by chronic diseases, according to the results of an international survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. Indeed, rare disease patients overall give their healthcare experience a medium-low rating, of 2.5 on a scale of 1 to 5,…

For nearly two years, an Ohio couple shared the heartbreaking story of their young son’s diagnosis with Sanfilippo syndrome, seeking to raise awareness about the rare genetic disease they had never heard of until it affected their own child. Then some friends got involved, one thing led to another,…

Scores of virtual events are afoot around the world to mark Rare Disease Day 2021 on Feb. 28. The activities are focused on heightening awareness about rare diseases and the hundreds of millions of individuals they are thought to affect. Patients, caregivers, and advocates worldwide will sport denim ribbons…

The Cure Sanfilippo Foundation will be among those presenting posters at the WORLDSymposium 2021 conference on lysosomal storage disorders such as Sanfilippo syndrome, held virtually Feb. 8–12. “This is the conference where most of the scientists and researchers in the field of lysosomal storage diseases come together to…

While progress was made last year on newborn screening and other policy issues critical to rare disease patients, a “State Report Card” argues that many concerns — notably out-of-pocket costs for prescription medicines and access to affordable comprehensive care — still need attention. Those were the findings of the…

Parents of children with Sanfilippo syndrome place high value on therapies that provide even modest benefits to a narrower set of symptoms than most clinical trials address, according to a recent study. Understanding the impacts felt by caregivers and their treatment priorities can help determine the outcomes measured in…

The two COVID-19 vaccines that recently received emergency approval from the U.S. and other worldwide regulatory agencies are expected to pose little risk to the rare disease community, including to patients with compromised immune systems or those participating in gene therapy studies. That was the message of a recent…

Caring for a loved one with a rare disease, especially during these uncertain times, demands significant time, attention, patience, and dedication. To help meet that need, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s Rare Caregiver Respite Program may be a helpful resource. The program seeks to give a…