Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Batten Disease Clinic has been recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA) Foundation.
Batten diseases are rare genetic disorders that affect the body’s ability to eliminate cellular waste products, which leads cells to become unfunctional and die due to the waste build-up. The disease is usually diagnosable during childhood, but symptoms often worsen with age. Symptoms of the disorder include:
- Dementia
- Cognitive decline
- Seizures
- Personality and behavior changes
- Visual impairment and blindness
The Batten Disease Clinic, headed by child neurologist Erika Augustine, MD, MS, is only the fifth Batten disease center in the country to be named a Center of Excellence. “It is an honor to be named a Center of Excellence, and it is also an important step in our efforts, as we work to expand care and research focused on people affected by Batten diseases,” Dr. Augustine says about the recognition.
In addition to the Center of Excellence recognition, Kennedy Krieger has also been awarded an $8.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish and lead a first-of-its-kind network in the U.S. dedicated to advancing treatments for Batten diseases. The grant positions Kennedy Krieger as the coordinating center for the 14-site Batten Disease Clinical Research Consortium (BDCRC).
Visit the Institute’s Batten Disease Clinic webpage to learn more or make a referral.
