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

Muscle MRI scans show promise for monitoring LOPD: Study

Quantitative MRI (qMRI) imaging of the muscles is a useful technique for identifying signs of compromised muscle health in people with neuromuscular conditions like Pompe disease, according to a small study. The study identified specific patterns of qMRI changes in the thigh muscles of people with late-onset Pompe…

Phrenic nerve dysfunction tied to LOPD breathing issues in study

Dysfunction of the phrenic nerve, which is important for controlling breathing, was observed in a small study of late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) patients who had ongoing respiratory dysfunction despite enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). “Our study provide new insights regarding respiratory mechanisms in LOPD,” the researchers wrote. Should their…

Imaging technique may be useful research tool in Pompe models

A powerful imaging technique called high-resolution intravital microscopy, or IVM, may be a useful tool for visualizing and quantifying the effectiveness of investigational treatments in mouse models of Pompe disease, according to recent research. The approach allows for cellular changes in muscles to be visualized in live animals. Using…

Nexviazyme outperforms Lumizyme in COMET trial

More late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) patients treated with Nexviazyme (avalglucosidase alfa) achieved clinically meaningful improvements in patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures related to symptoms, daily life impacts, and life quality than those treated with Lumizyme (alglucosidase alfa). That is according to new analyses from the COMET Phase 3 clinical…

FDA clears Pombiliti plus Opfolda to treat adults with LOPD

Pombiliti (cipaglucosidase alfa) plus Opfolda (miglustat), a combination therapy formerly known as AT-GAA, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain adults with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) who are not improving on their current enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Its developer, Amicus…

ERT prolongs survival in classic IOPD, study finds

Among children with classic infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD), enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) was associated with prolonged survival, but mortality rates remained high, according to a recent French study. In general, while mortality rates were high in the first three years of life, patients then stabilized on ERT for…