Angelman Syndrome Foundation's News Room is an aggregation of several sources. We will post exciting announcements pertaining to ASF in addition to news about Angelman syndrome from within our community and from external media sources. See a story you think we should share? Send an email to tips@angelman.org with the information. Thank you!
- Conference Sheds Light on Rare Disease with Links to Autism
- June 21, 2010
- By Marla Broadfoot - Science in the Triangle
Any time you learn something new, your brain undergoes a sort of remodeling to store the fresh bits of information. This process takes advantage of what most brain scientists refer to as “neural plasticity,” the ability of our brains’ synapses – the connections from one neuron to another – to strengthen or weaken in order to house new memories. For most of us, our neurons remain malleable throughout our lives, giving us the opportunity for lifelong learning (though it does get harder with age). But for those afflicted with the rare genetic disease Angelman syndrome, the synapses are almost completely incapable of being remodeled. By the time children with Angelman syndrome are toddlers, their synapses have largely lost their plasticity, hardening like concrete into rigid structures that can no longer easily relay new information.
- Family Works to Spread Angelman Awareness
- June 1, 2010
- By Eloísa Ruano González - Orlando Sentinel
Doctors advised Carol Pulver to put her son, Shea, in a nursing home after he was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder that causes developmental delays, seizures and excessive unprovoked laughter. He was 2. Doctors did not think he would walk, talk or do much on his own. But the DeBary woman insisted on keeping her youngest son at home.
