Dandy-Walker Syndrome and the Alliance will be featured in the Nov/Dec issue of Parenting Special Needs Magazine













YOU DID IT!

House Concurrent Resolution 163
passed the House on June 26, 2008 and agreed to in the Senate without amendment and by unanimous consent on September 22, 2008.
Click on the Capitol image above to stream the debate or click here to view or download the Windows Media File.


Read the Dandy-Walker Resolution
View the Dear Colleague Letter


Contribute today with our secure online credit card donation form

Children reaching up into air


President George W. Bush appoints Dandy-Walker Alliance member to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities for a two-year term beginning May 12, 2008.

The Official Parent's SourceBook on
Dandy-Walker Syndrome
by Health Publica Icon Health Publications ISBN: 0597836760.

A copy of the current financial statement of the Dandy-Walker Alliance, Inc. is available by writing 4422 Clearbrook Lane Kensington, MD 20895 or by calling (301) 919-2653. Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Maryland Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis MD 21401, (410) 974-5534.






Dandy-Walker News

Dandy-Walker story takes center stage at Children's National Medical Center fundraiser.

Arrow Annual Fund Drive Reminder: This is a reminder that we exist to serve you. Please consider the Dandy-Walker Alliance in your annual giving plan.

Arrow Dandy-Walker awareness wristbands are now available to order.

Arrow The University of Chicago Genetic Services Laboratories offers OPHN1 gene testing, MRI scan reviews and recommendations regarding genetic testing.

Non-English Dandy-Walker Alliance site Dandy-Walker information is available in Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish and Ukrainian.

Arrow Download the Dandy-Walker Alliance brochure.


Elsevier logo Elsevier and Molecular Genetics and Metabolism have generously granted the Dandy-Walker Alliance permission to bring you the full text of Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, vol 80, 2003, pp 36-54, Parisi et al., “Human malformations of the midbrain and hindbrain: review and proposed classification scheme”. Please visit their site by clicking on their logo and thank them for allowing us to bring you this article for free.

Arrow Kathy Millen, PhD, explains understanding cerebellar patterning and development.

National Institutes of Health research literature

(click NLM logo)





What is Dandy-Walker?

A congenital brain malformation involving the cerebellum (an area at the back of the brain that controls movement) and the fluid filled spaces around it. The key features of this syndrome are an enlargement of the fourth ventricle (a small channel that allows fluid to flow freely between the upper and lower areas of the brain and spinal cord), a partial or complete absence of the cerebellar vermis (the area between the two cerebellar hemispheres), and cyst formation near the internal base of the skull. An increase in the size of the fluid spaces surrounding the brain as well as an increase in pressure may also be present. The syndrome can appear dramatically or develop unnoticed. Symptoms, which often occur in early infancy, include slow motor development and progressive enlargement of the skull. In older children, symptoms of increased intracranial pressure such as irritability, vomiting, and convulsions, and signs of cerebellar dysfunction such as unsteadiness, lack of muscle coordination, or jerky movements of the eyes may occur. Other symptoms include increased head circumference, bulging at the back of the skull, problems with the nerves that control the eyes, face and neck, and abnormal breathing patterns. Dandy-Walker Syndrome is frequently associated with disorders of other areas of the central nervous system including absence of the corpus callosum (the connecting area between the two cerebral hemispheres), and malformations of the heart, face, limbs, fingers and toes.

What is the Dandy-Walker Alliance?

The Dandy-Walker Alliance, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). In giving to the Dandy-Walker Alliance, you help us continue our commitment to providing educational and informational activities, programs and publications and supporting non-partisan research and events to increase public awareness for Dandy-Walker Syndrome. We support all efforts to determine the cause(s) of, find the cure for and to ameliorate the effects of Dandy-Walker Syndrome. Donations directly to the Dandy-Walker Alliance are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please consult your tax advisor for more information concerning the tax treatment of donations to the Dandy-Walker Alliance. Read more



Federal Research


Arrow Role of ZIC and GLI Protein-protein Interactions in Human Brain Disorders

Arrow Genetic Mechanisms in Cerebellum Malformations

Arrow The Genetic Basis of Mid-Hindbrain Malformations

Arrow De novo copy number variation and gene discovery in human brain malformations

Arrow Genetic Analysis of Roof Plate Function in the CNS

Arrow Roles of Zic Genes in Vertebrate Hindbrain Development

Arrow Search for NIH funded clinical trials seeking individuals with Dandy-Walker

line

Kids sitting on a fence





What's New in the DW World?

Arrow 'Dandy Kids' inspires others worldwide
Arrow Living life to its fullest in Ubly, MI
Arrow Answered prayers in Salisbury, NB (pg 2)
Arrow Political advocacy in Leonardtown, MD
Arrow Courage in Killeen, TX
Arrow DW month debated in Annapolis, MD
Arrow New beginnings in Kensington, MD
Arrow Dandy Kids in Denver, CO


Arrow

Florida's Blood Centers teamed up with the Blackwell family and Orlando's WFTV Channel 9 to create a promotional commercial that educates the community about maintaining a safe and adequate blood supply and also raise awareness for Dandy-Walker Syndrome.

If you have information that you would like to have considered for inclusion on this site please e-mail it to us at submission@dandy-walker.org.



For instance, Mr. Tyrell Arnold authored an Essay on Dandy-Walker Syndrome, complete with full citations for public use.

Note: This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author's and not necessarily those of the Dandy-Walker Alliance.


Silver Ribbon Coalition Campaign for the Brain. Visit the Silver Ribbon Coalition!

Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign Corporate Social Responsibility campaign produces partnerships.

Dandy-Walker Alliance Scientific and Medical Advisory Board Meet the Dandy-Walker Alliance Scientific and Medical Advisory Board.

Dandy-Walker Alliance 2008