Grant Application
Invitation

Grant Application Invitation

Gut Health in CDD

(Understanding the function of microbiome balance)

$20k

Amount

The principal investigator for this project will be awarded $20,000.

9/15

Deadline

The deadline for submitting grant applications is Sep 15, 2023.

6

months

Duration

Project completion: 6 months

BACKGROUND

  • CDD is a rare genetic disorder that affects the development of the brain and nervous system. Children with CDD often have intellectual disability, seizures, movement problems, sleep problems, and behavioral problems.

  • The gut microbiome is the community of bacteria that live in the gut. The gut microbiome plays an important role in digestion, immunity, and brain health.

  • Recent research has shown that mutations in the CDKL5 gene can lead to changes in the gut microbiome. These changes can include changes in the types of bacteria that are present in the gut, as well as changes in the levels of certain metabolites.

  • Changes in the gut microbiome can contribute to gut health problems in children with CDD. These problems can include constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.

There is currently no cure for CDD disorder. However, there are a number of treatments that can help to improve the symptoms of the disorder. These treatments may include:

Anti-epileptic Medications

Diet therapy

Physical therapy

Occupational therapy

Speech therapy

Research is ongoing to find new treatments for CDD. Our goal is to be able to develop new treatments that can improve the health of patients with CDD and reduce the severity of their symptoms.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this project are to:

Characterize the gut health problems in children with CDKL5 disorder.

Investigate the role of CDKL5 in the gut microbiome.

Inform the development of interventions to improve gut health in children with CDKL5 disorder.

METHODS

This project will use a variety of methods to characterize the gut health problems in children with CDKL5 disorder, investigate the role of CDKL5 in the gut microbiome, and develop interventions to improve gut health in children with CDKL5 disorder.

These methods will include

  1. Clinical assessments
  2. Gut microbiome analysis

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The expected outcomes of this project are to:

  1. Characterize the gut health problems in children with CDKL5 disorder.
  2. Identify the role of CDKL5 in the gut microbiome.
  3. Inform the development of interventions to improve gut health in children with CDKL5 disorder.
These findings will have important implications for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gut health problems in children with CDKL5 disorder.

How to Apply

To apply for this grant, please submit the following materials:
– A research proposal (maximum 10 pages)
– A CV
– A letter of support from a colleague

Please submit all materials to specialprojects@hope4harper.com by Sep 15, 2023.

For further inquiries, please contact specialprojects@hope4harper.com