The Tourette Syndrome Association of New Jersey (TSANJ) has reason to celebrate their accomplishments this past year. Calls to their helpline are up 1000%, more people attended support groups and educational workshops than ever before and they successfully orchestrated the launch of the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome.
The New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome (NJCTS), created in 2005, is a collaborative effort among UMDNJ Medical Schools, Rutgers University and TSANJ to provide comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and advocacy for kids and adults living with Tourette Syndrome; training for residents and practicing physicians; and research opportunities never before available.
“We, at TSANJ, are thrilled to celebrate our successes of this past year and look forward to our future plans to continue to help the TS community here in NJ,” states Faith Rice, Executive Director of TSANJ.
TSANJ’s 4th Annual Fundraising dinner, Thursday, May 11, 2006, will be held at Human Genetics Institute Life Sciences Building at Rutgers University where special guest Dr. Jay Tischfield—world-renowned geneticist, and director of the National Institutes for Mental Health Cell and DNA Repository at Rutgers University—will speak about the important work this new center provides families with TS in New Jersey and beyond.
Dr. Tischfield is Scientific Director of the Rutgers University Cell and DNA Repository, Director of the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey and Co-Director of the NIMH Center for Collaborative Genetic Studies on Mental Disorders and the NIDA Center for Genetic Studies. A leading authority on genetics and their links to disease, Tischfield’s inquiries have led to a better understanding of cellular mechanisms responsible for functional loss of gene activity leading to cancer, the pathobiology of kidney stone disease and the molecular genetics of inherited components of alcoholism, opiate addiction, and mental disorders. Currently Dr. Tischfield is looking into the effects of genetics of many brain disorders, with one area being research into the effects of genetics on Tourette Syndrome.
Also attending the dinner is Dr. Mathew State, the Yale University researcher who is responsible for identifying the specific gene linking people with TS. This opens the avenue for more exacting research into TS causes and cures.
“Having both Dr. Tischfield and Dr. State as part if this celebration night will make it an extraordinary event,” adds Rice. Manchester United professional soccer player Tim Howard participated in last year’s event.
NJCTS Services
New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome offers an innovative and comprehensive approach to treatment for the thousands of New Jersey families living with TS. Services provided by the Center include: medical diagnosis, treatment and management; psychiatric and psychological services; educational testing services; and coordinated patient care among partner and community organizations throughout the state; education and training for UMDNJ medical schools and the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology to develop a new generation of professionals knowledgeable about TS and associated disorders; professional and educational training for practicing physicians, educators and allied professionals; and research into the causes and effective treatment of TS and associated disorders.
Founded in 1994, TSANJ is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support the needs of New Jersey families and individuals with Tourette Syndrome. For more information about TSANJ, attending the May 11th dinner, visit their web site at www.tsanj.org or call Faith Rice, Director at (908) 575-7350. For information about NJCTS, call 908 575 7350.