Lindsey Shapiro, PhD,  science writer—

Lindsey earned her PhD in neuroscience from Emory University in Atlanta, where she studied novel therapeutic strategies for treatment-resistant forms of epilepsy. She was awarded a fellowship from the American Epilepsy Society in 2019 for this research. Lindsey also previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher, studying the role of inflammation in epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.

Articles by Lindsey Shapiro

Pfizer stops DMD gene therapy development after trial failure

Pfizer has discontinued development of fordadistrogene movaparvovec, its investigational gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), after recent Phase 3 trial data indicated a failure to improve motor function in boys with the neuromuscular disease. Patients who have already received the gene therapy in the CIFFREO…

Twins offer insights into DM1 cognitive deficit contributors

A pair of identical twins with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) were found to have different deficits in social cognition that corresponded with differing patterns of brain tissue loss on MRI scans, a case report shows. Researchers believe the findings highlight that, while genetic factors can contribute to brain development,…

MDA 2024: Gene therapy’s benefits most pronounced in young boys

Among ambulatory boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a one-time treatment with investigational gene therapy fordadistrogene movaparvovec has helped preserve functions and increase muscle volume for three years, especially in the youngest patients. That’s according to updated analyses from a Phase 1b trial (NCT03362502), in which the…

HuidaGene’s gene-editing therapy named rare pediatric drug by FDA

HuidaGene Therapeutics’ investigational gene-editing therapy, called HG302, for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has been granted a rare pediatric drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This status is intended to incentivize companies to develop treatments for rare and serious or life-threatening diseases affecting people under…