Advancing Research in Cognitive and Learning Impairments and Developmental Problems
The University of Rochester Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (UR-IDDRC) is making significant strides in the field of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative research. The Centre, which was designated as an IDDRC by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) in 2020, has been at the forefront of efforts to understand and treat various conditions, including Batten disease.
A new 9.4T MRI has recently arrived at the Centre for Advanced Brain Imaging and Neurophysiology (CABIN) at the Medical Center, available to investigators through the Translational Neuroimaging and Neurophysiology core. This state-of-the-art equipment will aid in the collection of data that will inform how airborne illnesses are responded to and hopefully mitigated in such settings.
Since 2020, the UR-IDDRC has supported 30 peer-reviewed research papers and faculty have established new labs. One of the key research areas is Batten disease, a rare genetic disorder characterised by behavioural changes, cognitive impairment, seizures, and vision loss. Although the genetic flaw that causes this disease is well known, the connection between this mutation and the disease's symptoms is not fully understood.
John Foxe, PhD, co-director of the UR-IDDRC, recently described a potential neuro marker for Batten disease that could help researchers measure outcomes in clinical trials. However, current sources indicate that there is no ongoing research on neuro markers for Batten disease at the UR-IDDRC at this time.
The UR-IDDRC is not solely focused on Batten disease. Margot Mayer-Proschel, PhD, professor of Biomedical Genetics and Neuroscience, is currently leading research using brain organoids to develop a human model of iron deficiency. Emily Knight, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, was recently awarded a UR-IDDRC pilot grant to investigate deficits in mechanisms in the auditory processing system that impact how children with autism process language in a noisy environment.
The IDDRC designation has enabled the University to purchase new state-of-the-art equipment, foster new collaborations, and provide resources to investigators to take their research in new and exciting directions. The IDDRC, in collaboration with the Mary Cariola Center, successfully secured a $4 million project funded by the NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics- Underserved Populations (RADx-UP) program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UR-IDDRC is part of a broader network of excellence at the University of Rochester. The University is a University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD) and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND). The UCEDD focuses on training and community service, while the LEND focuses on education.
The Cell and Molecular Imaging (CMI) core provides access to state-of-the-art equipment and expert support for researchers. The four scientific cores of the UR-IDDRC - Human Clinical Phenotyping and Recruitment, Translational Neuroimaging and Neurophysiology, Animal Behavior and Neurophysiology, and Cell and Molecular Imaging - work together to provide a comprehensive approach to research.
The University of Rochester Batten Center (URBC) is designated as a Center of Excellence by the Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA). The University is a recognised leader in Batten disease research and care, transforming the landscape of exploration in the field.
Science in the field of health-and-wellness, particularly medical-conditions like neurological disorders, is being investigated diligently at the University of Rochester. The University of Rochester Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (UR-IDDRC), for instance, is conducting research on Batten disease, a genetic disorder with behavioral changes, cognitive impairment, seizures, and vision loss. Clinical trials are ongoing to identify potential neuro markers for Batten disease to aid in measuring outcome measures, despite current sources indicating no ongoing research at present.
