PARTNERSHIP WITH NBIADA

PARTNERSHIP

Isabel’s Chance is embarking on a partnership with another nonprofit focused on neurodegenerative disorders, NBIA Disorders Association, for a jointly-funded open grant call for BPAN research. We have funded a grant of $50,000 and NBIADA will fund that and more, for a six-figure grant opportunity available to a chosen scientist or group from a pool of international applicants interested in engaging in a 1-2 year study of BPAN. Applicants and their proposed projects will be screened and evaluated by a highly qualified scientific and medical advisory board that will make an award recommendation to Isabel’s Chance and NBIADA. We and our partner will ultimately choose the recipient.

WHAT IS NBIA?

Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation is a group of rare, genetic neurological disorders characterized by abnormal accumulation of iron in the basal ganglia. BPAN is a NBIA disorder, along with other rare conditions. The basal ganglia is a collection of structures deep within the base of the brain that assist in regulating movements.

The exact relationship between iron accumulation and the symptoms of NBIA is not fully understood. Although we all normally have iron in this area, people with NBIA have extra iron that can be seen on MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). NBIA is progressive and, at this time, there is no cure.