The Line Up

Spring 2009

Advancing a cure, one gene at a time

Although Friedreich’s ataxia is the most common type of ataxia, an effective treatment remains elusive. But thanks to the efforts of Michael Koob, Ph.D., and his laboratory team, the path to a cure could be getting shorter.

A home run for research

The fourth annual Diamond Awards, held January 22 at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center, celebrated the Minnesota Twins’ 2008 baseball season and raised more than $263,000 to advance leading-edge research and patient care for neurologic illnesses at the University of Minnesota.

‘A sense of hope’

Couple’s commitments to Diamond Awards show confidence in the University’s neurodegenerative disease research. Five years ago, ataxia was an unfamiliar disease to Patrick Bradley and Patty Carney- Bradley. They knew little about it, but they had heard that Minnesota Twins legend Bob Allison had it and eventually died from its complications.

Researchers hone in on markers for AOA2

Since it was identified through genetic testing in the early 2000s, ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2) has become the second most commonly diagnosed form of recessive ataxia. But while more individuals are being diagnosed with AOA2, research on the disease remains scant.

Save the date

Karen’s Hope Ataxia Benefit. Monday, June 15, 2009 Oak Marsh Golf Course, Oakdale This golf event benefits the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center at the University of Minnesota.

 

Fall 2008

Rolling for ataxia research

For many people‚ October in Minnesota signals the arrival of costume parties and peak fall colors. But for Vern Prososki and employees at St. Cloud–based Collection Resources‚ it marks the opportunity to bowl a few games and raise money for the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center (BAARC).

Catching a chemical before it does damage

Long before it leads to loss of function‚ ataxia causes changes in the brain that cannot be detected through physical symptoms. At first‚ biochemical changes to brain nerve cells‚ or neurons‚ are small. Gradually‚ however‚ they alter the metabolism of neurons and then impair them.

New biosciences building will bring medical experts together to accelerate advances

For ataxia researchers and other neuroscientists at the University of Minnesota‚ whose offices may be scattered in buildings across campus‚ bouncing ideas off of one another in person is not always so easy. Thanks to the Minnesota State Legislature’s decision to fund the Medical Biosciences Building.

Three University researchers receive grants from BAARC

The Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center’s board of directors has awarded a total of $225‚000 to three University of Minnesota ataxia investigators. Each grant provides seed funding that allows these researchers to test their new ideas about how to better diagnose‚ treat‚ or prevent ataxia.

Golf tournament raises nearly $47,000—plus a match—for ataxia research

The 7th annual Karen’s Hope Ataxia Benefit raised nearly $47‚000 for the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center‚ which supports ataxia research and care efforts at the University of Minnesota. In its history‚ the event has raised about $315‚000 for this work.

Spring 2008

Diamond Awards a hit for neurological research and care

About 500 people attended the third annual Diamond Awards on January 24‚ helping to raise more than $520‚000 for research and care focused on ataxia‚ muscular dystrophy‚ Parkinson’s‚ and ALS at the University of Minnesota.

Neuroscientist’s research sheds new light on one form of episodic ataxia

When U of M neuroscientist Timothy Ebner, M.D., Ph.D., began researching how ataxia changes brain cells. Ebner‚ head of the U’s Dept. of Neuroscience and holder of the Visscher Chair in Physiology‚ received a grant from the Bob Allison Ataxia Center to use a technology called optical imaging.

In the name of hope

Since she was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia‚ Frigstad has become a familiar face—to many others with the disease and their families. She was only 21 years old when she was diagnosed‚ and wasn’t about to let ataxia control her life. She married a longtime friend on the steps of the state Capitol to raise awareness of ataxia and its symptoms.

Raising money for and awareness of ataxia

When JoAnn Ciecierski was teaching doctors about her own disease‚ she and her husband‚ Jim‚ realized that ataxia awareness was a big problem. Of course‚ JoAnn‚ who has the hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia type 1‚ had done a lot of research—her grandfather‚ father‚ and aunt also had ataxia.

Fall 2007

A team effort

As the University’s new Institute for Translational Neuroscience is taking shape, so too are key collaborations for accelerating ataxia research. At the University of Minnesota, interdisciplinary research teams are continually working toward that goal.

Covering the bases

Diamond Awards event will benefit research focused on progressive brain disorders. Don’t miss the Diamond Awards, Minnesota’s charity baseball event, in Minneapolis. Attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with current members of the Minnesota Twins and other baseball greats.

Summer golf events score big for ataxia research

Two summer golf events benefiting the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center (BAARC) raised more than $78,000 for ataxia research and care at the University of Minnesota. The 6th annual Karen’s Hope Ataxia Benefit, held June 18 at the Oak Marsh Golf Course in Oakdale, raised nearly $34,000.

Spring 2007

Diamond Awards: A home run for ataxia research

The event—which included a reception, silent auction, dinner, and awards ceremony—drew 620 attendees and raised $291,000 in net proceeds for the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center. Recently retired Minnesota Twins pitcher Brad Radke received this year’s Bob Allison Award.

Additional funding needed for chair in ataxia research

When Jim Schindler passed away last year, he left more than $1 million in his estate to the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center at the University of Minnesota in memory of his old friend. Thanks to Schindler’s generosity, funding for the position.

Making strides

Ataxia Center expands research and service to benefit patients and raise awareness. Since becoming medical director of the University of Minnesota Ataxia Center last spring, Khalaf Bushara, M.D., has been motivated by two things: his vision for the future and the positive feedback from patients and their referring doctors.

Fall 2006

New technology speeds discoveries in ‘core lab’

A theme has emerged in the nation’s medical research community over the past few years: Solutions to complex biomedical questions result from collaborative research. That theme is forefront on the mind of John Ohlfest, Ph.D., the U of M’s director of translational gene therapy and director of the U’s gene and stem cell core laboratory.

Golfers tee off for ataxia

Thanks to nearly 400 participants at two summer golf tournaments‚ another $90‚000 has been raised for ataxia research at the University of Minnesota. The fifth annual Karen’s Hope Ataxia Benefit‚ which was held June 19‚ brought 211 golfers to the Oak Marsh Golf Course in Oakdale and raised about $50‚000 for the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center.

Senator’s planned gift represents hope for a cure

In the history of Minnesota State Senator Ann Rest’s family‚ ataxia has been a “tragic challenge.” Rest’s former husband battled hereditary ataxia‚ as did his grandmother‚ mother‚ uncle‚ and sister. Rest wanted to get involved with the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center (BAARC) to help discover a better future for other people with ataxia.

Tweaking life goals

In the spring of 1998‚ Melissa Grant seemed to have it all. Her health‚ however‚ was declining. Grant was frequently dizzy and was struggling to keep her balance. Doctors tested her for several diseases‚ but they couldn’t figure out exactly what was wrong. Four months after she was born‚ a visit with a physician and revealed that she had episodic ataxia.

Spring 2006

High-profile baseball event raises record amount for ataxia research

With more baseball stars‚ a bigger program‚ and a higher profile than predecessor Major League Fare‚ the first-ever Diamond Awards raised a record amount of money for ataxia research at the U of M. Last year’s event netted $207‚000 for the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center.

Bushara takes the reins at Ataxia Clinic

Khalaf Bushara, M.D., became the new director of the University of Minnesota Ataxia Clinic in January. He replaces Christopher Gomez‚ M.D.‚ Ph.D.‚ who accepted a position as chair of the Dept. of Neurology at the University of Chicago.

U of M researchers identify ataxia mutation in the Lincoln family

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have linked the family of Abraham Lincoln with a genetic mutation that causes a variety of spinocerebellar ataxia. The findings were published in the scientific journal Nature Genetics in January, 2006.

New equipment brightens the outlook for ataxia research

The Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center (BAARC) board illuminated ataxia research at the University of Minnesota in January when it voted to purchase the $140‚000 Xenogen imaging system‚ a technology that uses luminescence to monitor the health of cells and assess the effectiveness of various therapies‚ including treatments for ataxia.

Former teammate honors Bob Allison’s legacy—and creates his own—with gift

Jim Schindler met Bob Allison on the baseball field. They played together in the minor leagues in the mid ’50s‚ and their personalities clicked off the field as well. At the Bob Allison Ataxia Golf Classic in August‚ Schindler announced that he would give $1 million to the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center.