TREAT-NMD Conference - submit your abstract!

We have been really delighted by the number and variety of abstract submissions received so far through the conference website. The November conference in Brussels has scheduled poster sessions throughout its three days and there is still time for anyone considering attending to submit an abstract for a poster presentation.
 

TREAT-NMD / Marigold workshop lays the foundations for international patient registry for myotonic dystrophy

A workshop entitled Patient Registries and Trial Readiness in Myotonic Dystrophy, jointly sponsored by TREAT-NMD and the Marigold Foundation (Canada), was held from 12-14 June 2009 in Naarden, The Netherlands. The twenty-six participants represented eight countries and covered a broad cross-section of the myotonic dystrophy field: scientists, clinicians, patient representatives and industry. The workshop built on the foundations established in two previous ENMC workshops on myotonic dystrophy and the clinical DM working group set up by the Marigold Foundation, and took advantage of the tools developed within the TREAT-NMD network for patient registries and outcome measures.

TREAT-NMD Governing Board reflects on network progress after 2.5 years

This June marks the half-way point for the TREAT-NMD network in its EU-funded form, and from June 15-17 Governing Board members met at a venue near Paris to reflect on the network's achievements so far and identify the priorities and challenges for the coming period. The consensus of all those present was that network has made enormous progress and is now recognised as a global player in the neuromuscular field, with interest from industry, patient groups, clinicians and researchers worldwide. In an opening overview of the "story so far", TREAT-NMD coordinator Volker Straub made reference to this year's Annual Review of the network, performed by an external reviewer appointed by the European Commission, which commented that the network has exceeded expectations and highlighted the impact of the global collaborations established in areas such as standardised assessment of animal models and standards of care for patients with neuromuscular conditions.

TREAT-NMD Conference - submit your questions!

Our conference flyer has now been completed and is available to download in electronic PDF format. The flyer provides details of not only the various interactive sessions that will be held throughout the conference but also lists the names of the various chairs and members associated with each session.

Sessions will be guided by submitted questions. This, we feel, will direct the dialogue in a direction that will address the concerns of the majority and so make the sessions as effective and fruitful as possible in the given time.

The involvement of National Institues of Health (NIH) as a co-sponsor of the conference has helped us attract delegates from both sides of the Atlantic.

If you have a question please feel free to submit it using the link at the end of this article which will take you to our conference website, you can also download the conference flyer from the bottom of that page.

SMA - Warsaw Conference

The Polish Academy of Sciences has arranged a two day conference focussing on SMA. Called 'Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the Eve of the Cure' this conference is scheduled for 25th and 26th September at the Academy of Sciences in Warsaw.

The invited speakers come from the USA, Spain, Italy, Germany, Turkey and of course, Poland. Sessions include looking at the history of SMA, Standards of Care for SMA patients, Home ventilation and also Standards of Diagnosis including Prenatal testing.

Muscle Study Group Annual Meeting in Buffalo, New York.

The Muscle Study Group (MSG) is holding its annual meeting near Buffalo, New York, USA on September 21, 22, and 23rd, 2009:

“Fostering Pharma-Academic Partnerships in Neuromuscular Experimental Therapeutics”.

The conference will bring together translational and clinical scientists from academia and pharma in a forum for discussion of current and novel therapies and draw speakers and participants from experts with an interest in developing clinical trials. The conference has a major focus on trainees and others interested in participating in the experimental therapeutics of neuromuscular disease.