Vincent Timmerman

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Vincent Timmerman is a Belgian scientist working at the VIB Department of Molecular Genetics at the University of Antwerp of Christine Van Broeckhoven. His research is focused on inherited disorders of the peripheral nervous system, classified as hereditary motor and/or sensory neuropathies and the most common inherited peripheral neuropathy is Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease or Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy (HMSN).

Vincent Timmerman obtained a PhD at the University of Antwerp in 1993 and is VIB Group leader since 1999. He became Associate Professor, at the University of Antwerp since 2002.

On 22 May 2007 Vincent Timmerman and Peter De Jonghe received the Solvay Prize for their work on Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease</span> Neuromuscular disease

Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) is a hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy of the peripheral nervous system characterized by progressive loss of muscle tissue and touch sensation across various parts of the body. This disease is the most commonly inherited neurological disorder, affecting about one in 2,500 people. It is named after those who classically described it: the Frenchman Jean-Martin Charcot (1825–1893), his pupil Pierre Marie (1853–1940), and the Briton Howard Henry Tooth (1856–1925).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dejerine–Sottas disease</span> Medical condition

Dejerine–Sottas disease, also known as, Dejerine–Sottas syndrome, hereditary motor and sensory polyneuropathy type III, and Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 3, is a hereditary neurological disorder characterized by damage to the peripheral nerves, demyelination, and resulting progressive muscle wasting and somatosensory loss. The condition is caused by mutations in various genes and currently has no known cure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myelin protein zero</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Myelin protein zero is a single membrane glycoprotein which in humans is encoded by the MPZ gene. P0 is a major structural component of the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Myelin protein zero is expressed by Schwann cells and accounts for over 50% of all proteins in the peripheral nervous system, making it the most common protein expressed in the PNS. Mutations in myelin protein zero can cause myelin deficiency and are associated with neuropathies like Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease and Dejerine–Sottas disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GJB1</span> Protein-coding gene in humans

Gap junction beta-1 protein (GJB1), also known as connexin 32 (Cx32), is a transmembrane protein that in humans is encoded by the GJB1 gene. Gap junction beta-1 protein is a member of the gap junction connexin family of proteins that regulates and controls the transfer of communication signals across cell membranes, primarily in the liver and peripheral nervous system. However, the protein is expressed in multiple organs, including in oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAB7A</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Ras-related protein Rab-7a is a protein that in humans is encoded by the RAB7A gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HSPB8</span>

Heat shock protein beta-8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HSPB8 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GDAP1</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Ganglioside-induced differentiation-associated protein 1 is a type of protein that in humans is encoded by the GDAP1 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PRX (gene)</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Periaxin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PRX gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTMR2</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Myotubularin-related protein 2 also known as phosphatidylinositol-3,5-bisphosphate 3-phosphatase or phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate phosphatase is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MTMR2 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SH3TC2</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

SH3 domain and tetratricopeptide repeats-containing protein 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SH3TC2 gene. It is believed to be expressed in the Schwann cells that wrap the myelin sheath around nerves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SBF2</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Myotubularin-related protein 13 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SBF2 gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy</span> Medical condition

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies (HMSN) is a name sometimes given to a group of different neuropathies which are all characterized by their impact upon both afferent and efferent neural communication. HMSN are characterised by atypical neural development and degradation of neural tissue. The two common forms of HMSN are either hypertrophic demyelinated nerves or complete atrophy of neural tissue. Hypertrophic condition causes neural stiffness and a demyelination of nerves in the peripheral nervous system, and atrophy causes the breakdown of axons and neural cell bodies. In these disorders, a patient experiences progressive muscle atrophy and sensory neuropathy of the extremities.

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN) or hereditary sensory neuropathy (HSN) is a condition used to describe any of the types of this disease which inhibit sensation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy</span> Medical condition

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP) is a peripheral neuropathy, a condition that affects the nerves. Pressure on the nerves can cause tingling sensations, numbness, pain, weakness, muscle atrophy and even paralysis of the affected area. In normal individuals, these symptoms disappear quickly, but in sufferers of HNPP even a short period of pressure can cause the symptoms to occur. Palsies can last from minutes or days to weeks or even months.

Distal hereditary motor neuronopathies, sometimes also called distal hereditary motor neuropathies, are a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of motor neuron diseases that result from genetic mutations in various genes and are characterized by degeneration and loss of motor neuron cells in the anterior horn of the spinal cord and subsequent muscle atrophy.

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type I or hereditary sensory neuropathy type I is a group of autosomal dominant inherited neurological diseases that affect the peripheral nervous system particularly on the sensory and autonomic functions. The hallmark of the disease is the marked loss of pain and temperature sensation in the distal parts of the lower limbs. The autonomic disturbances, if present, manifest as sweating abnormalities.

Distal hereditary motor neuropathy type V is a particular type of neuropathic disorder. In general, distal hereditary motor neuropathies affect the axons of distal motor neurons and are characterized by progressive weakness and atrophy of muscles of the extremities. It is common for them to be called "spinal forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)", because the diseases are closely related in symptoms and genetic cause. The diagnostic difference in these diseases is the presence of sensory loss in the extremities. There are seven classifications of dHMNs, each defined by patterns of inheritance, age of onset, severity, and muscle groups involved. Type V is a disorder characterized by autosomal dominance, weakness of the upper limbs that is progressive and symmetrical, and atrophy of the small muscles of the hands.

Mary M. Reilly FRCP is an Irish neurologist who works at National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. She studies peripheral neuropathy. She is the President of the Association of British Neurologists.

Autosomal dominant Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 2 with giant axons is a rare subtype of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy of the axons which is characterized by symptoms similar to those from Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease and autosomal dominant inheritance.

X-linked Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease is a group of genetic disorders and a type of Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease characterized by sensory loss associated with muscle weakness and atrophy alongside many other symptoms.

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