Time for Lyme and Lyme Disease Association Fund Clinical Study of Neurological Disorder in Chronic Lyme Supporting Neuromuscular Center Research. Greenwich, CT (PRWEB) December 7, 2007 Time for Lyme and the Lyme Disease Association have finalized an agreement with the Neurology Research Foundation (NRF) to support a research project to examine dysautonomia, a devastating and sometimes life-threatening neurological disorder, in Lyme disease. The study will be led by the NRF's senior investigator, Dr. David S. Younger, MD. -- a leading authority in the field of neurology research who has participated in and authored more than 100 published studies and peer-review journal articles on neurological disorders. The investigation will involve the recruitment of a large cohort of patients with early and chronic Lyme disease of the nervous system, also known as Lyme neuroborreliosis over four years, with the majority of the advocacy groups' funding to be used on the purchase of necessary equipment to support the study. In a preliminary abstract submitted to the American Academy of Neurology for publication, Dr. Younger and colleagues noted the development of dysautonomia among those so studied with early and chronic Lyme disease using the strictest of criteria for case selection of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and New York State (NYS). The investigators concluded that dysautonomia may be underestimated and under diagnosed in all stages of Lyme neuroborreliosis. "Time for Lyme is pleased to support this scientific investigation by such a respected organization as the Neurology Research Foundation," explains Diane Blanchard, co-founder and president of Time for Lyme. "We are galvanized by their support, as well as the support of the Lyme Disease Association, in our hope that this study will bring us closer to understanding and treating dysautonomia in chronic Lyme disease patients," Blanchard adds. Difficulties of Dysautonomia
Dysautonomia is not only a manifestation of Lyme disease. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 3 million Americans are afflicted with dysautonomia, and there are potential treatments and cures especially when recognized early and treated aggressively. "This disorder robs millions of people of their quality of life, and endangers their health and well-being on a daily basis," notes Debbie Siciliano, co-founder of Time for Lyme. "Our organization is gratified to participate in the collection of critical scientific data that not only will help chronic Lyme disease patients, but may also benefit dysautonomia sufferers in general," Siciliano concludes. Time for Lyme has become a particularly proactive force in the area of chronic Lyme disease research this year. "Chronic Lyme disease is all-too real for the many thousands of patients who are living with its symptoms," Blanchard explains. "With the support of top-notch scientists like Dr. Younger among so many others, we are able to hope for a better understanding of this insidious disease and, ultimately, a cure." About Time for Lyme
About the Neurology Research Foundation
Our mission is to advance progress toward cure and prevention of neuromuscular disorders by providing support for promising research projects, as well as the assistance of patients, their families, and caregivers in coping with neuromuscular diseases by fostering support groups, lectures, seminars, and other participatory forums.
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