The Phelan-McDermid Podcast: Sharing Research, Progress, and Hope

New Avenues in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Research Featuring Drs. Boaz Barak and Haitham Amal Jun 19, 2025

In this exciting combo episode about new avenues in Phelan-McDermid syndrome research, Dr. Lauren speaks with Dr. Boaz Barak from Tel Aviv University and Dr. Haitham Amal from Hebrew University/Boston Children's Hospital.

Dr. Barak describes his work on understanding the process of myelination, where "electrical cables" help brain cells to communicate, and how SHANK3 is involved in this process. He also discusses his lab's work on possible treatments for Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Dr. Barak's work was recently awarded Autism Science Foundation's Profound Autism Pilot Grants! Read more here: https://autismsciencefoundation.org/asf-funded-research/

Dr. Amal explains why nitric oxide (NO) is important for brain functioning and how NO is linked to autism as well as Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. He also describes his ongoing work with the two companies that he co-founded, NeuroNOS and Point6 Bio. NeurNOS's lead investigational therapy, BA-102, for the treatment of Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS) just received Orphan Drug status from the FDA! Learn more here: https://www.neuro-nos.com/oddpms

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to discover groundbreaking research uncovering new paths in understanding and treating Phelan-McDermid Syndrome — hope and progress are on the horizon!

Dr. Pilar Trelles and Tess Levy - 2024 Shannon O'Boyle Memorial Neuropsychiatric Illness Awardees Jun 12, 2025

In this episode, Dr. Lauren speaks with the 2024 Shannon O’Boyle Memorial Neuropsychiatric Illness Grant awardees, Tess Levy of the Seaver Autism Center at Mount Sinai and Dr. Pilar Trelles of Boston Children’s Hospital.

In their project titled, "Adapting PIPS for Progress: Development and Validation of an Ecological Momentary Assessment Tool to Enhance Psychiatric Symptoms, Monitoring and Intervention Response in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome", they address the need for better measurement tools of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Phelan-McDermid syndrome as well as the importance of involving caregivers and medical experts in the process of developing measures. Tune in to hear more about the measure and why it's so needed!

Interested in participating in their study and filling out the updated measure? Act fast! They are collecting data for a only a few more days! You can participate here: https://redcap.link/014yntw7

Tune in now, and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast so you never miss an episode!

Dr. João Peça - 2024 Translational Grant Awardee May 28, 2025

In this episode, Dr. Lauren speaks with the winner of the 2024 Translational Grant Award, Dr. João Peça of the University of Coimbra in Portugal. Starting in the field of neuroscience and coming across SHANK3 before it was associated with Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Dr. Peça explains how his work sits at the crossroads of scientific curiosity and practical goals: Better understanding the brain alterations in Phelan-McDermid syndrome and searching for ways to improve them in patients.

Dr. Peça helps explain his research project in an accessible way for all listeners! So tune in to hear how Dr. Peça's work is hoping to open new avenues in therapeutics for Phelan-McDermid syndrome!

With the help of the 2024 Translational Grant, his project along with our other PMSF-funded grants pave the way for early support that researchers need to explore bold ideas, generate data, and build the foundation for larger projects!

From Awareness to Action: Advocacy That Makes a Difference May 08, 2025

Get ready to be inspired by impactful voices in advocacy!

Join Dr. Lauren as she sits down with Katie Collins, Samantha von Felden, and Mark Vieth — three passionate advocates working on the front lines in Washington, D.C., fighting for the rights of individuals with rare diseases.

In this episode, they share their insights, stories, and strategies for creating change where it matters most. Whether you're new to advocacy or you know a thing or two, their expertise is a true resource to all of us in the Phelan-McDermid syndrome Community.

Tune in now and hear how these changemakers are using their voices to elevate ours.

And if you are interested in starting your advocacy journey, check out the link in bio/comments to sign up for Rare Across America, which sets up virtual meetings with Senate offices and in-person in-district meetings with Representative offices from August 4-15, 2025!

www.RareAcrossAmerica.org

Last, we want to thank all our advocacy partners who are keeping us updated and informed. Check out the organizations below and maybe even sign-up for their emails!

Dr. Kristy Johnson - 2024 Grant Awardee for the PMSF Innovation Grant - Part 2 Apr 23, 2025

We are back with Part 2 of our interview with Dr. Kristy Johnson, winner of our 2024 PMSF Innovation Award!

In this episode, you will hear about the specifics about her project titled "ROSCO: A Novel Virtual Natural Communication Paradigm for Individuals with PMS". After detailing all the challenges associated with available measures of language and communication in Part 1, Dr. Lauren dives in to learn how Dr. Kristy is using a novel tool to capture communication in individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome! This novel tool is ALL home-based and hones in the unique ways each individual communicates.

And if you haven't tuned into Part 1 yet, we HIGHLY recommend starting there!

Interested in participating in ROSCO?

Email NDDLab@northeastern.edu to learn more about the study.

Like our podcast? Don't forget to follow and rate us!

Dr. Kristy Johnson - 2024 Grant Awardee for the PMSF Innovation Grant - Part 1 Apr 17, 2025

Have you ever felt discouraged filling out clinical measures about your child? Do you wish a language measure better captured your child's unique way of communicating? Then this podcast episode is for you! Trust me.

In this episode of "The Phelan-McDermid Podcast: Sharing Research, Progress, and Hope", Dr. Lauren is talking to Dr. Kristy Johnson from Northeastern University, who received the 2024 PMSF Innovation Award for her project titled, "ROSCO: A Novel Virtual Natural Communication Paradigm for Individuals with PMS". Drs. Lauren and Kristy had such a good (and important!) conversation that we decided to split the episode in two parts.

In Part 1 's episode today, you will get to learn Dr. Kristy's unique pathway into Phelan-McDermid syndrome research and about the challenges with existing clinical measures in Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

And stay tuned for Part 2, dropping next week!

Like our podcast? Don't forget to follow and rate us!

Dr. Milena Andzelm - 2023 Grant Awardee for the Shannon O'Boyle Memorial Neuropsychiatric Illness Grant Mar 06, 2025

Welcome back to "The Phelan-McDermid Podcast: Sharing Research, Progress, and Hope"

This is our third and final episode from our mini-series featuring the 2023 PMSF Grant Awardees! On this episode, Dr. Lauren is talking to Dr. Milena Andzelm from Boston Children's Hospital. She received the Shannon O'Boyle Memorial Neuropsychiatric Illness Grant for her grant titled “Investigating Immune and Autoimmune Mechanisms of Neuropsychiatric Decompensation in Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

Tune in to learn more about how a clinical case during Dr. Andzelm's training inspired her research in immune functioning in Phelan-McDermid syndrome as well as learn about progress on her current project. You'll also get to hear more about the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Neuropsychiatric Consultation Group!

Dr. Andzelm is still recruiting for her study, so check out our Current Open Research page for your opportunity to participate! And remember - she's looking for individuals 10 years+ with and without a history of neuropsychiatric illness! https://pmsf.org/current-open-research/

And for more information about our Neuropsychiatric Consultation Group, a provider-to-provider service, please check out the link below:

https://pmsf.org/neuropsychiatric-consultation-group/

Dr. Bridgette Moffitt - 2023 Grant Awardee for the PMSF Innovation Award Feb 20, 2025

We are back with "The Phelan-McDermid Podcast: Sharing Research, Progress, and Hope"!

We continue our mini-series featuring the 2023 PMSF Grant Winners! In this episode, Lauren is talking to Dr. Bridgette Moffitt from Clemson University. Dr. Moffitt received the 2023 PMSF Innovation Award for her project titled, “Functional Assessment of Candidate Treatments for Phelan-McDermid Syndrome”. Tune in to hear about her research, which is setting the stage for precision, individualized medicine by testing candidate drugs on cell lines from actual individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome!

And don't forget to follow us to never miss an episode!

Dr. Julia Dallman - 2023 Grant Awardee for the PMSF Translational Research Award Feb 12, 2025

Our podcast is back! And with a new name chosen by you! "The Phelan-McDermid Podcast: Sharing Research, Progress, and Hope". In this episode, Dr. Lauren Schmitt, the Chief Science Officer of the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation (PMSF), restarts the podcast with the first of three interviews with our 2023 Grant Awardees. Lauren is joined by Dr. Julia Dallman, an Associate Professor at Miami University, whose project titled, “Validation of a Novel, Inexpensive, Home-Based Gastrointestinal Transit Test among People with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome” won the 2023 PMSF Translational Research Award. They discuss how Dr. Dallman got into the Phelan-McDermid syndrome field, how basic scientists can use zebra fish to study motility issues, and the latest on Julia's project! Plus, you'll have to tune in to know why they are talking about blue poop!

To find out more about Julia Dallman's lab and research: https://dallmanlab.weebly.com/

To hear more about the latest in GI research, check out Dr. Bennet, Still, and Dallman present at the 2024 PMSF Family Conference: https://youtu.be/IP4eaimpKM0?feature=shared

Have ideas for a future podcast? Email your recommendations to info@pmsf.org!

Dr. Katy Phelan - The History of Phelan-McDermid syndrome and the Foundation Jun 22, 2024

Kate chats with Dr. Katy Phelan, Scientific Advisor to the Foundation, namesake for the syndrome, and co-Founder of the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation (PMSF). They discuss her work identifying the first case of Phelan-McDermid syndrome, and the story behind her efforts to gather families. With the help of Co-founders Sue Lomas, Curtis Rogers and Nick Assendelft, this led to the establishment of a community, and ultimately the Foundation. Katy reflects on her favorite memories, her role now, and describes the evolution of genetic understanding of Phelan-McDermid syndrome over the years.

2022 Founders presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpECSEFxuSc

Genetic testing guide in Phelan-McDermid syndrome: https://pmsf.org/diagnosis/

Ronni Blumenthal & Diane Linnehan - The 2024 PMSF International Family Conference May 22, 2024

Kate is joined by PMSF leadership, CEO Ronni Blumenthal, and Sr. Director of Operations, Diane Linnehan, to bring you a special episode on all things 2024 Family Conference, coming up this July. They discuss all the exciting new things this year, and give a peek behind-the-scenes into the decision-making process at PMSF. They also discuss the conference agenda, keynote speaker, activities at the Mall of America, budget planning, strategies for getting the most out of the trip, and more. A special thank you to our presenting sponsor for the conference, Neuren Pharmaceuticals.

All details on the conference can be found here:

pmsf.org/conference

Dr. Luigi Boccuto - Understanding the impact of other genes beyond SHANK3 in Phelan-McDermid syndrome Apr 22, 2024

Kate engages Dr. Luigi Boccuto, Associate Professor at Clemson University, about his work studying genes other than SHANK3 and their impact in Phelan-McDermid syndrome. They highlight a recent publication authored by Dr. Boccuto, Dr. Andy Mitz, and Dr. Audrey Thurm, linked below. Dr. Boccuto describes how multiple genes in the 22q13 region, when altered, can have overlapping impacts on neurodevelopment. Understanding the importance of each of these genes can help improve the management and treatment of Phelan-McDermid syndrome long-term as clinical care moves more towards personalized medicine.

Publication link:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cge.14503

Neuren Pharmaceuticals - Drug NNZ-2591 for Phelan-McDermid syndrome Mar 22, 2024

This month we feature three representatives from Neuren Pharmaceuticals to answer frequently asked questions about the recent Phase 2 clinical trial, and plans for a Phase 3. Larry Glass, Neuren’s Chief Science Officer provides an insightful breakdown of NNZ-2591, the drug that was being tested. Additionally, Liza Squires, Chief Medical Officer, and Nancy Jones, VP of Clinical Development, offer an overview of the safety, tolerability, and efficacy results.

Important links:

Phase 2 top line results:

https://pmsf.org/document/neuren-phase-2-trial-investor-presentation/?fbclid=IwAR2ytXd7HXVfjJ9hFxwUVlVgJvI_KkczBTpGJCNUOMLTzgUAI6lPy1ZZO9g

Phase 2 inclusion and exclusion criteria

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05025241?cond=Phelan-mcdermid%20syndrome&term=NNZ-2591&rank=1#participation-criteria

Dr. Tony Persico - Clinical trial results of a metabolic support therapy in Phelan-McDermid syndrome Feb 22, 2024

Kate chats with Dr. Tony Persico, an Italian clinician and researcher who recently ran a clinical trial testing metabolic support therapy for Phelan-McDermid syndrome. This therapy is an antioxidant/vitamin combination consisting of Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin E, and Polyvitamin B. They discuss the rationale, the study design, positive results, potential side effects, access for families, and next steps.

Learn more about the study here: https://www.oaepublish.com/articles/rdodj.2023.08

Dr. Tony Persico is an active member of the Italian Association for Phelan-McDermid syndrome and the Neuropsychiatric Consult Group.

Carla D’Imperio - A mental health support program for Phelan-McDermid syndrome caregivers Jan 22, 2024

Kate interviews Carla D’Imperio, fellow PMSF staff member and Family Support Specialist, on a program she leads to support mental health for Phelan-McDermid syndrome caregivers. This program, called Caregiver Support Groups, was started last year with funding from Global Genes and is continuing into 2024. Carla explains the decision to start this program and the positive impact it has made in the community. She delves into the importance of having licensed professionals lead these sessions. And she describes which groupings are offered, how to sign up, and how the program is changing over time. International families are welcome to join and the program is free to families.

For more information or to sign up, see: https://pmsf.org/caregiver-support-groups/.

Dr. Christy Zigler - Measuring communication in neurodevelopmental disorders Dec 22, 2023

Kate sits down with Dr. Zigler, Associate Professor at Duke University, to discuss her efforts to more accurately capture communication in Phelan-McDermid syndrome and other neurodevelopmental disorders. The goal is to have a clinical assessment that better measures communication progress - for families, and for clinical studies and trials. With funding from the FDA, Dr. Zigler is adapting a current communication measure, the ORCA. Kate asks what the ORCA is, why it is being adapted, what's been done so far, and how families can play a role.

Dr. Thomas Bourgeron - The importance of genetics research in Phelan-McDermid syndrome Nov 22, 2023

Kate engages Dr. Thomas Bourgeron, genetics expert, PMSF Scientific Advisory Committee member, and longstanding researcher in Phelan-McDermid syndrome. They discuss the importance of studying genetics to better understand disorders like Phelan-McDermid and autism. Dr. Bourgeron explains that in the early 2000’s, his lab and others identified a link between the SHANK3 gene and the occurrence of autism. He then explains the scientific journey - from identifying a gene of interest, to testing therapeutics in lab models, and describes a current clinical trial for lithium ongoing in France. He also summarizes his top goals for future research in Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

A PMSF blog post on SHANK3 genetics: https://pmsf.org/shank3-in-phelan-mcdermid-syndrome/

A PMSF blog post on Phelan-McDermid syndrome versus autism: https://pmsf.org/phelan-mcdermid-syndrome-and-autism/

Dr. Kate Still - New Research Funded by PMSF Oct 22, 2023

Join Kate, Scientific Director of PMSF, as she delves into how research funding works, how much money is required, and all the details of how PMSF's new Research Grants Program works. She explains how the program was set up, how funding categories were chosen, the review process used by scientists and families, and provides summaries of the three grants PMSF is funding in 2023/2024.

Dr. Siddharth Srivastava - A research career in Phelan-McDermid syndrome and other rare diseases Sep 22, 2023

Kate highlights Dr. Sid Srivastava, a clinician at Boston Children's Hospital studying Phelan-McDermid syndrome in the Natural History Study. She asks - how did he become interested in rare diseases like Phelan-McDermid syndrome? What does a typical Natural History Study visit look like for families? What research projects is he working on? What are the biggest findings he's seen in studying the syndrome? For enrollment information on the Natural History Study, see: https://pmsf.org/enrollment-is-currently-open-for-phase-ii-of-the-phelan-mcdermid-syndrome-pms-natural-history-study/

Dr. Conny van Ravenswaaij - European Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Consortium Aug 22, 2023

Dr. Conny van Ravenswaaij runs an expert Phelan-McDermid syndrome clinic in the Netherlands, and was a leading force behind the European Phelan-McDermid syndrome clinical consensus guidelines. She and Kate discuss the clinical recommendations and how to share them with your clinicians. Conny also covers a clinical trial that she ran on intranasal insulin, and current work studying Ring 22 in Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

Important links:

Clinical synopsis of european guidelines: https://ern-ithaca.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Clinical-synopsis-PMS-1.pdf

PMSF conference session on genetics (including Ring 22): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOmPYpim3_8

Jaguar Gene Therapy - A gene therapy for Phelan-McDermid syndrome Jul 22, 2023

Kate chats with Jaguar Gene Therapy about the progress the company has made in testing a gene therapy for Phelan-McDermid syndrome over the past couple of years. She asks what steps are still needed to take this therapy to clinical trials (if it proves safe and effective). Also covered: how gene therapy works, the target as SHANK3, ongoing animal testing, and timelines.

Annie Kennedy - Receiving an ICD code specific to Phelan-McDermid syndrome Jun 22, 2023

Recently, the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation was successful in applying for and receiving a specific ICD code (International Classification of Diseases code) for Phelan-McDermid syndrome from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Kate sits down with Annie Kennedy of the EveryLife Foundation, who has longstanding expertise in what a specific code can mean for progress for rare diseases. Kate asks - what exactly is an ICD code? What does this mean for progress in Phelan-McDermid syndrome research? Why didn't we have one already? Can it be used internationally? What was the process in getting one? What are some examples of progress after getting a code? What is the code not helpful for?

Annie Kennedy is the Chief of Policy, Advocacy, and Patient Engagement at the EveryLife Foundation. She also previously served within the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Her work includes building strong partnerships with policy makers, federal agencies, industry partners, and alliances to advance research and access in rare disease. She has developed an ICD code roadmap with the EveryLife Foundation, has conducted economic burden studies in rare disease, led efforts for newborn screening, led access efforts after the first therapies were approved by the FDA for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and much more.

Dr. Tesi Kohlenberg & Dr. Asif Rahman - Neuropsychiatric illness and regression research in Phelan-McDermid syndrome May 22, 2023

Dr. Kohlenberg and Dr. Rahman are both clinicians with expertise in neuropsychiatric illness in Phelan-McDermid syndrome. They discuss the first signs and symptoms, where to find treatment guidelines, how to connect your clinician with experts, and the difference between neuropsychiatric illness and regression. They discuss top research questions and progress. Kate points out where families can find key resources along the way.

Dr. Kohlenberg is a pediatrician with decades of experience in child psychiatry. She is also mom to an adult daughter with PMS who was diagnosed as a result of neuropsychiatric illness, and Tesi has done a lot of work to understand how to best manage this for her daughter and many other people with PMS. She played a leadership role in starting the Neuropsych Consult Group, and is on PMSF's Medical Advisory Committee.

Dr. Asif Rahman is a psychiatrist and is currently a fellow in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry on the Research Track at Mount Sinai. He is being funded by PMSF to do more research into neuropsychiatric illness in partnership with the Natural History Study and is being mentored by Dr. Alex Kolevzon.

Gabi Conecker - Cross-disorder research, The Inchstone Project Apr 22, 2023

Gabi Conecker leads the Inchstone Project, an effort to ensure people with conditions like PMS don't bottom out on clinical assessments and their progress is measured. For clinical trials, it is crucial to show a drug is making positive change, which requires sensitive assessments. PMSF is taking an active role in the Inchstone Project, and other projects to improve clinical assessments. Clinicians in PMS and other groups are also constantly working towards improved clinical assessments. This podcast discusses some of what it takes to improve assessments.

Gabi Conecker is the Founder of Decoding Developmental Epilepsies, previously "Wishes for Elliott," named after her son with SCN8A epilepsy, alongside her mother JayEtta. She is also a leader of DEE-P connections which provides resources to people with rare severe epilepsies.

Dr. Sue Fletcher and Dr. Rebecca Simmons - Development of an RNA therapeutic for Phelan-McDermid syndrome Mar 22, 2023

PYC Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical company developing an RNA therapeutic for Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Dr. Sue Fletcher (Chief Scientific Officer) and Rebecca Simmons (current Group Lead) describe these efforts. Kate asks what exactly are RNA therapeutics? What is this drug targeting and how does it work? What are the timelines and plans going forward? What will be measured to see if the drug is working? What types of challenges are associated with the approach? What can the foundation and families do to support drug development?

Dr. Billy Bennett - Family engagement research in genetic counseling and GI management Feb 21, 2023

Dr. Billy Bennett has been working with the Foundation for the past year on two initiatives that are considered family engagement research. The first is focused on the genetic counseling process and some of the common challenges families face in these meetings. We review a federally-funded research project that collected feedback from families to improve the genetic counseling process, and cover the next steps we are taking to change this process alongside genetic counselors. We also review the findings from a second initiative, called CANDID, an NIH-funded conference. CANDID served to bring together families, clinicians, scientists, patient advocacy groups, and industry partners to consider how to better detect and treat GI disorders in people with PMS, autism, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. In this episode, we review the takeaways from CANDID and discuss the many steps that are occurring afterwards to advance research in this area.

Dr. Billy Bennett is a pediatric gastroenterologist, and a clinical researcher at Indiana University. He is on both the medical and scientific advisory committees at PMSF. He is also a PMS dad to his daughter Cecilia, who is the inspiration for this work.

Dr. Alex Kolevzon - New clinical consensus guidelines for Phelan-McDermid syndrome Jan 19, 2023

Dr. Kolevzon has been leading a team of clinicians to develop clinical guidelines for the management and monitoring of PMS. Kate asks - what are clinical consensus guidelines exactly? Which categories of medical care will be included? When will the guidelines be released? How can families best use this information? How are guidelines developed? How have the guidelines changed since the first iteration in 2014? What areas of research have seen the most growth? How can families bring forward patterns they notice to help shape the guidelines as they continue to evolve?

Dr. Alex Kolevzon is a psychiatrist and professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He is a long-standing expert in Phelan-McDermid syndrome research as a leader of the PMS Neuropsychiatric Consult Group, the PMS Natural History Study, the PMSF medical advisory committee, and he sees many people with PMS in the clinic.

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