New Jersey non-profit working with Rutgers, Harvard and Yale to identify genetic mutation linked to Tourette Syndrome
May 6, 2010- New Jersey is officially on the forefront of TS research because of the work of a small non-profit. The New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders is mentioned in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine for contributing to Dr. Matthew State’s discovery of a genetic mutation that offers new clues about the cause of this neurological disorder. It couldn’t have been done if Garden State families hadn’t rolled up their sleeves and donated blood samples to the TS Repository at Rutgers University.
Families participating in the genetics study at Rutgers, led by Dr. Jay Tischfield, Dr. Gary Heiman and Dr. Robert King, are creating a base of DNA from which researchers are able to study TS. Genetic material from NJCTS families is included in groundbreaking research highlighted in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 100 individuals are affected by Tourette Syndrome- a neurological disorder expressed through involuntary motor or vocal movements known as tics.
“Acknowledgement in this study is an honor and highlights the significance of our work,” said NJCTS Executive Director Faith W. Rice, “We’re so proud to be part of this important study and together, we’re putting New Jersey research at the heart of innovation.” Individuals diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and their family members can participate in the NJCTS/Rutgers Genetics Study. To schedule an appointment e-mail familystudy@biology.rutgers.edu.
Dr. King will be screening families at Rutgers on May 19-21 and June 7-9. Please sign up today to participate in this important work to find treatments and a cure for TS.