$1 million from 'Tyler's Hope' helps UF tackle disabling brain disorder
With the help of $1 million from Tyler's Hope for a Dystonia Cure Inc., a new research center is being established and a leading scientist has joined the University of Florida to confront a disease that has disabled a half million Americans.
Yuqing Li, Ph.D., whose research has already played a part in current clinical testing to repurpose a commonly prescribed antibiotic to treat dystonia, has been recruited from the University of Alabama-Birmingham and is now a professor in the department of neurology at the UF College of Medicine.
Along with clinical researchers at the existing Tyler's Hope Center for Dystonia Care at UF's Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, Li will investigate causes and potential treatments for a malady that is not well-known outside of the dystonia community, even though it is the third most common movement disorder behind Parkinson's disease and tremor.
"UF already has the best neurosurgeons and neurologists in the world working on this problem. The role of Tyler's Hope is to bring a dream team together to cure a disease that has affected not only my children, but thousands of other kids," said Richard A. Staab, president of Tyler's Hope for a Dystonia Cure. "We want to provide support so the best and brightest researchers work side by side, focused on a single goal, without being distracted by administrative or nonproductive responsibilities."
Tyler's Hope is named for Staab's son, who unexpectedly began having movement problems when he was 7. Tyler was diagnosed with DYT1 dystonia, named for the first gene mutation that scientists linked to the disorder. Later, Tyler's sister, Samantha, was also diagnosed with DYT1 dystonia — the type Li primarily studies.
The gift will establish a Tyler's Hope Dystonia Research Laboratory to work in conjunction with the Tyler's Hope Center for Dystonia Care.
"We are grateful to the Staab family and Tyler's Hope, and are excited Dr. Li has joined our faculty," said Michael Good, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine. "It is through private support such as that provided by Tyler's Hope that will allow us to move from being very good to becoming one of the nation's best medical centers."
Dystonia causes prolonged, involuntary muscle contractions. In some instances, muscles that normally tighten and relax in harmony work against each other, causing the body to twist into abnormal, often painful postures. The contractions may strike a single muscle or a group of muscles, such as those in the arms or legs.
No part of the body is off limits — even the neck, eyelids, face and vocal cords are susceptible. Scientists suspect neurotransmitters responsible for brain-muscle communication are being scrambled. But beyond that, little is known.
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