• HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
Friday, August 22, 2025
BIOENGINEER.ORG
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
No Result
View All Result
Bioengineer.org
No Result
View All Result
Home NEWS Science News Health

New breakthrough in understanding dystonia

Bioengineer by Bioengineer
August 9, 2016
in Health
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on RedditShare on Telegram

Dystonia

Researchers at VIB-KU Leuven have managed to get a clearer view on the roots of dystonia, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary twisting movements. Led by Rose Goodchild (VIB-KU Leuven) and supported by the Foundation for Dystonia Research, the VIB scientists unraveled the mechanism by which DYT1 dystonia – the disease’s most common hereditary form – causes cellular defects. The findings shed new light on this poorly understood condition – and may, ultimately, lead to new medical approaches to overcome it.

Dystonia looks like a muscle problem, but actually originates in the brain. The patient’s brain sends out too many messages that activate too many muscles, causing twisting movements. In some cases, including DYT1/TOR1A dystonia, a genetic mutation is the main culprit. In the VIB Center for the Biology of Disease at KU Leuven, Rose Goodchild and her team are conducting basic research into dystonia, the essential stepping stone for a cure.

Molecular defects unveiled

In DYT1 dystonia, a genetic error results in a defective protein called torsin. Scientists already knew that this protein disrupts the neural communication that controls the muscles, but the how has remained unclear. Until now: research in the Goodchild lab indicates that torsins regulate the levels of lipids, molecules that form cell membranes and store energy.

Prof. Rose Goodchild (VIB-KU Leuven): “For the first time, we understand that a dystonia protein is responsible for cellular lipid levels. Although we had expected a more complex picture, with various direct and indirect effects, our data clearly labeled torsin as the regulator for a particular enzyme of lipid metabolism. This now focuses attention on how the lipid substrates and products of this enzyme contribute to neuronal function, and gives us a better view on the exact molecular defects that cause dystonia.”

Multidisciplinary approach

Crucial to the success of this project was the access to state-of-the-art research instruments, such as VIB’s Electron Microscopy facilities, allowing deep-study of how torsin affects cellular membranes composed of lipids. Furthermore, the collaboration with the lab of professor Patrik Verstreken (VIB-KU Leuven) enabled numerous experiments on fruit flies. But although these tiny creatures have much more similarities with humans than meets the eye, research on mammals is crucial as well.

Prof. Rose Goodchild (VIB-KU Leuven): “We have already started exploring dystonia mutation in mouse neurons. This will help us understand dystonia in humans. However, much more research is still to be carried out. It is our mission to find the exact pathway between a faulty gene and the neuronal defects. And, in time, we aim to develop therapeutic approaches that intervene in this pathway.”

###

Media Contact

Sooike Stoops
[email protected]
32-924-46611
@VIBLifeSciences

http://www.vib.be

Photo Credit: wikipedia

The post New breakthrough in understanding dystonia appeared first on Scienmag.

Share16Tweet8Share2ShareShareShare2

Related Posts

blank

Exploring Cardiovascular Health Disparities Across Race and Gender in Medicare Fee-for-Service Populations

August 22, 2025
blank

Cold-Stressed Liver Exosomes Boost Brown Fat Heat

August 22, 2025

Maternal and Child Health Inequities in Sub-Saharan Africa

August 22, 2025

Human Milk Vesicles Boost Fat Burning via Mitochondria

August 22, 2025
Please login to join discussion

POPULAR NEWS

  • blank

    Molecules in Focus: Capturing the Timeless Dance of Particles

    141 shares
    Share 56 Tweet 35
  • New Drug Formulation Transforms Intravenous Treatments into Rapid Injections

    114 shares
    Share 46 Tweet 29
  • Neuropsychiatric Risks Linked to COVID-19 Revealed

    81 shares
    Share 32 Tweet 20
  • Modified DASH Diet Reduces Blood Sugar Levels in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes, Clinical Trial Finds

    60 shares
    Share 24 Tweet 15

About

We bring you the latest biotechnology news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.

Follow us

Recent News

Revolutionizing Hydrogen Production with Enhanced Modified Ilmenite Oxygen Carriers

Exploring Cardiovascular Health Disparities Across Race and Gender in Medicare Fee-for-Service Populations

Colibactin-Producing E. coli Associated with Elevated Colorectal Cancer Risk in FAP Patients

  • Contact Us

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Homepages
    • Home Page 1
    • Home Page 2
  • News
  • National
  • Business
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.