In its current work for The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation, All Greater Good has formed a scientific and medical advisory board to provide oversight for projects and outcomes; identified basic science research centers that may apply for research funding; evaluated clinical centers of excellence; and solicited proposals to fund appropriate basic science and clinical research. All Greater Good works toward an ultimate goal of fostering collaboration between national and international NMO-dedicated research and clinical centers dedicated to the study of neuroimmunology.
- Establishing a centralized, functional patient registry, including cataloging of serum, tissue, and DNA
samples.
- Understanding the epidemiology of NMO Spectrum Disease, including incidence, prevalence, and
clinical course; developing clinical tools to objectively follow the disease course in individualized
patients.
- Supporting an annual conference to convene researchers and clinicians, thereby providing a platform
for the presentation of research outcomes and new discoveries.
- Studying alternative approaches in disease management.
- Design and develop public information tools to heighten awareness.
- Understandings of NMO Spectrum Disease.
- Understanding the role of lifestyle and stress on disease progression.
Mayo Clinic
The Mayo NMO Consortium has coalesced over the past decade as an interactive team of clinical and basic investigators with a common interest in neurological autoimmunity and neuroprotection. The goals of the Mayo NMO Consortium are to:
- Uncover the genetic and biological factors that lead to development of NMO
- Define the pathophysiologic mechanisms that are unique to NMO
- Produce animal models of the disease
- Develop novel and specific therapeutics based on our discoveries in pathophysiology
The Mayo Team members
- Vanda Lennon, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Immunology and Neurology
- Claudia Lucchinetti, M.D., Professor of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- Sean Pittock, M.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology; Associate Director, Neuroimmunology Laboratory
- Brian Weinshenker, M.D., Professor of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Visit the Mayo Clinic Website.
Stanford University
Steinman Lab
The long range aim of the Stanford team in NMO research is to develop a powerful, safe, specific tolerizing immune therapy aimed at eliminating the main immune responses in neuromyelitis optica, while leaving the rest of the immune system intact.
The Stanford University NMO Team
- May Han, M.D., Senior Fellow in Neuroimmunology; Acting Assistant Professor of Neurology and
Neurological Sciences
- William R. Robinson, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine
- Lawrence Steinman, M.D., George A. Zimmerman Prof. of Neurology, Pediatrics and Genetics, Chair
Interdepartmental Program in Immunology
Visit the Steinman Lab Website.
University of California, San Francisco
Verkman Laboratory
NMO research will address basic questions about the role of AQP4 autoantibodies in NMO at the AQP4 molecular level, astrocyte cell level and whole organism level.
Verkman Lab Team
- Alan S. Verkman, M.D. Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and Physiology, UCSF
- Marios C. Papadopoulos, M.D. FRCS(SN), Senior Lecturer in Neurosurgery, St. George's, University of London (co-principal investigator
- Jonathan Crane, Ph.D., Post-doctoral Fellow, UCSF
- Lukmanee Tradtrantip, Ph.D., Post-doctoral Fellow, UCSF
- Samira Saadoun, Ph.D., Post-doctoral Fellow, St. George's, University of London
- Hua Zhang, Ph.D., Post-doctoral Fellow, UCSF
Visit the Verkman Laboratory Website.
Zamvil Laboratory
The Zamvil Lab hypothesizes that AQP4-specific T cells may be activated and/or expanded in NMO patients.
Zamvil Lab Team
- Scott S. Zamvil, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Investigator
- Patricia A. Nelson, Ph.D., Specialist
- Collin M. Spencer, Specialist
- Juan Carlos Patarroyo, Specialist
Visit the Zamvil Laboratory Website.
About AGGF
