Medicine against ‘Frisian’ North Sea disease one step closer: research with fruit flies is successful

The tests were carried out on fruit flies. This was done because its genetic material resembles that of people who have North Sea Disease. The aim was to see how the disease progresses and what can be done about it.

Researcher Jenke Gorter of the UMCG has tested more than 1400 substances on fruit flies in two years. “Until now, the research has mainly focused on epilepsy attacks. But we actually want the other movement disorders to decrease as well. One gene mutation causes all the symptoms of North Sea disease. There is a mechanism underneath this.”

According to Gorter, the researchers have gained insight into how that mechanism would work, but some more research is still needed. “It would be best if we not only treat the symptoms but that the substances also act on the mechanism. We hope for a drug that can target the entire spectrum.”

“We’re running a marathon, and the finish is coming”

Next year, two new studies will start: one to validate the results of the research that has now been done, and one to search for a drug for another symptom: the movement disorders.

More research is needed to find out whether the substances found in the flies work in humans. “It can take a long time before the drug is available,” says Renske Wassenaar. Her daughter Luna has the disease. “But we have high hopes for it.”

“Every step is one,” says Wassenaar. “We are running a marathon and the finish is approaching. However, it is difficult to say when exactly there will be a result. That could take years. But now we have really high hopes for it!”

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