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Nnpd Research Paper

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Luckily for future holders of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (or NPC) in their hereditary makeup, the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation (NNPDF) is poised to kick its rarified disease-self down in its path. And, the NNPDF has a lot of help… What is Niemann-Pick Disease? *Niemann-Pick Disease (http://www.nnpdf.org/npdisease_01.html) is one of many lysosomal storage diseases affecting the metabolism. It is caused by genetic mutations. The most common types -- Niemann-Pick Types A and B (ASMD or Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency) and Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC). It tends to affect the population indiscriminately, its larger numbers coming from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. A higher incidence occurs …show more content…

Its target has been Niemann-Pick Disease Type C or NPC. The NNPDF supports and promotes research with the goal of finding treatments and a cure. They also remain a hub for support for individuals and families affected by NPD. Their Vision is one of a world where NPD can no longer threaten the prospect of a full and productive life for patients and their loved ones. Not only are the NNPDF’s activist efforts appreciated, but they’re heavily supported by not one but three companies, ready for a round of clinical trials meant to develop treatment and therapy for NPC. This all sounds good and dandy, but one issue remains: Can this medical research community support more than one trial at a time, even with such welcome support? Niemann-Pick Disease Type C Could Be Too …show more content…

This also sounds fine and dandy but its rareness makes it difficult to find an appropriate number of afflicted patients in order to test and demonstrate results. The number of patients with Niemann-Pick Type C is approximately 500 all around the world. Since the pool of patients with NPC is (thankfully?) small, pharmacists and doctors say the results may not be reliable. “This is a critical juncture for our community,” said Nadine Hill, executive director of the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation. “To lose out on having an approved treatment is our worst-case scenario.” This is the outcome the community is trying to avoid. Scientists, doctors, and family are worried that there will not be a trial with the numbers to get a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for either treatment nor a possible cure. The FDA shared that 17 of the 41 new drugs it approved in 2014 for rare diseases. Even if the desired number of patients might be reached, some are reluctant to participate in the trials as they can require heavy travel and time off work or school. This makes activism, funding, support by and for the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation (NNPDF) is

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