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EUropean network for neurodevelopmental RASopathies

Project description

Early diagnosis and enhanced therapies of RASopathies

Rare neurodevelopmental disorders such as Costello syndrome and SYNGAP1-related encephalopathy cause severe intellectual disability, seizures, and autism. Known as RASopathies, these conditions often go underdiagnosed and currently lack approved treatments. The EU-funded EURAS project aims to create a registry for patient-reported outcomes and identify specific biological markers. It will test potential drugs on neurons derived directly from patients and evaluate treatments in animal models to reverse core symptoms. By forming a new patient association, EURAS will boost global awareness and ensure families gain faster access to care. This clinical push aims to simplify early diagnosis and strengthen healthcare systems throughout Europe. Science finally offers a roadmap for those navigating the maze of rare genetic conditions.

Objective

Cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome, Costello syndrome and SYNGAP1-related encephalopathy are rare neurodevelopmental RASopathies manifesting with severe intellectual disability, seizures and autism spectrum disorder. These symptoms are underdiagnosed and lack approved therapeutic options. EURAS aims to develop new effective therapies and operative disease management for RASopathies. With strong support of patient organizations from 13 countries, a new patient report-based registry for stratification of patient cohorts and evaluation of treatments will be implemented. To clarify the pathophysiology of RASopathies and to identify cellular/molecular “disease signatures” as biomarkers for drug screening and for therapy validation, EURAS will generate new and employ existing disease models. Phenotypical screenings of drug libraries assisted by automated high-resolution, high-content pipelines will be conducted on differentiated, electrically active patient iPSC-derived neurons. Preclinical proof-of-concept trials with repurposed drugs, antisense oligonucleotides and motor-cognitive training will be performed to achieve reversal of seizures and autistic behavioural traits in animal models. To provide patients with less invasive treatments, new technologies for efficient drug delivery of treatments to the brain will be developed and validated. Finally, EURAS establishes Europe-wide patient association to improve awareness and exchange between affected families and to foster their access to knowledge and therapies. With all these measures, EURAS delivers new effective therapies and set the frame for early and accurate diagnosis of neurological symptoms in RASopathies, which are not available at present. Moreover, some results of EURAS will be widely transferable, fostering development of therapies even for unrelated diseases. Thus, EURAS will sustainably improve the lives of affected people and strengthen expertise of health systems in Europe and worldwide.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-HLTH-2022-DISEASE-06-two-stage

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITATSKLINIKUM ERLANGEN
Net EU contribution
€ 1 337 869,33
Address
MAXIMILIANSPLATZ 2
91054 Erlangen
Germany
Region
Bayern Mittelfranken Erlangen, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 1 337 869,33

Participants (15)

Partners (1)