Medical student helps research rare neurologic condition clustered in Dominican Republic

Alfred "Aj" Espinoza (photo by Jim Howe) Alfred "Aj" Espinoza
(photo by Jim Howe) A rare neurologic condition called pantothenate
kinase-associated neurodegeneration, or PKAN, occurs in one of
every million people in the world. But in the Dominican Republic,
researchers have discovered 40 confirmed cases of PKAN among a
population of 15,000. A study is underway involving Upstate
associate professor A rare neurologic condition called pantothenate
kinase-associated neurodegeneration, or PKAN, occurs in one of
every million people in the world. But in the Dominican Republic,
researchers have discovered 40 confirmed cases of PKAN among a
population of 15,000. A study is underway involving Upstate
associate professor Frank Middleton, PhD, Frank Middleton, PhD, and
Alfred "Aj" Espinoza, a first-year medical student. Espinoza
explains that in this disease, iron accumulates in the brain,
affecting speech and causing muscle spasms and contractions and
trouble walking. The illness was first described by German
physicians in 1922. Part of the current research attempts to
understand why some people with PKAN have severe symptoms, while
others have mild symptoms. and Alfred "Aj" Espinoza, a first-year
medical student. Espinoza explains that in this disease, iron
accumulates in the brain, affecting speech and causing muscle
spasms and contractions and trouble walking. The illness was first
described by German physicians in 1922. Part of the current
research attempts to understand why some people with PKAN have
severe symptoms, while others have mild symptoms. Click here Click
here to see a video titled "Tough as Iron" about PKAN and to see a
video titled "Tough as Iron" about PKAN and click here f click here
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