Our Vision

The Parker Lab seeks to understand the mechanisms that underlie neuro-dysfunctions such as epilepsy, and develop early
targeted therapies to disrupt these mechanisms

Projects

Uncovering STRADA's Role in Neuronal Migration and Epilepsy

We are particularly interested in a disease called Polyhydramnios, Megalencephaly, and Symptomatic Epilepsy syndrome (PMSE, colloquially referred to as Pretzel Syndrome), which results from a loss-of-function mutation in the STRADA gene. This disease has a prevalence in the Old Order Mennonite population,with a carrier frequency of around 4%, and STRADA is a megalencephaly-associated gene in the general population. PMSE causes severe, medically refractory infantile-onset seizures, and is associated with significant neurocognitive dysfunction and a high rate of prenatal, infantile, and childhood death. We are investigating mechanisms of how different types of neurons migrate during early brain development, to uncover therapeutic strategies that would allow us to offer early targeted treatment for this devastating disease. We work with PMSE families and clinicians at the Clinic for Special Children in Lancaster County, PA to advance our understanding from their experiences and update them on our findings.

RNAseq data comparing WT to STRADA KO animals

RNAseq data comparing WT to STRADA KO animals

RNAseq data comparing WT to STRADA KO animals

RNAseq data comparing WT to STRADA KO animals

RNAseq data comparing WT to STRADA KO animals

RNAseq data comparing WT to STRADA KO animals

Low-intensity FUS to interrupt epileptic network development

We are particularly interested in a disease called Polyhydramnios, Megalencephaly, and Symptomatic Epilepsy syndrome (PMSE, colloquially referred to as Pretzel Syndrome), which results from a loss-of-function mutation in the STRADA gene. This disease has a prevalence in the Old Order Mennonite population,with a carrier frequency of around 4%, and STRADA is a megalencephaly-associated gene in the general population. PMSE causes severe, medically refractory infantile-onset seizures, and is associated with significant neurocognitive dysfunction and a high rate of prenatal, infantile, and childhood death. We are investigating mechanisms of how different types of neurons migrate during early brain development, to uncover therapeutic strategies that would allow us to offer early targeted treatment for this devastating disease. We work with PMSE families and clinicians at the Clinic for Special Children in Lancaster County, PA to advance our understanding from their experiences and update them on our findings.

RNAseq data comparing WT to STRADA KO animals

RNAseq data comparing WT to STRADA KO animals

RNAseq data comparing WT to STRADA KO animals

RNAseq data comparing WT to STRADA KO animals

Fetal gene delivery to treat neurodevelopment disorders

We are particularly interested in a disease called Polyhydramnios, Megalencephaly, and Symptomatic Epilepsy syndrome (PMSE, colloquially referred to as Pretzel Syndrome), which results from a loss-of-function mutation in the STRADA gene. This disease has a prevalence in the Old Order Mennonite population,with a carrier frequency of around 4%, and STRADA is a megalencephaly-associated gene in the general population. PMSE causes severe, medically refractory infantile-onset seizures, and is associated with significant neurocognitive dysfunction and a high rate of prenatal, infantile, and childhood death. We are investigating mechanisms of how different types of neurons migrate during early brain development, to uncover therapeutic strategies that would allow us to offer early targeted treatment for this devastating disease. We work with PMSE families and clinicians at the Clinic for Special Children in Lancaster County, PA to advance our understanding from their experiences and update them on our findings.

RNAseq data comparing WT to STRADA KO animals

RNAseq data comparing WT to STRADA KO animals

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