Louisiana Family Rallies Support for FoxP1 Syndrome Gene Therapy Research
核心洞察
Brendan Scallan, the only known case of FoxP1 syndrome (搜索) in Louisiana, was diagnosed in 2019 with a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a FoxP1 (搜索) gene mutation.
Despite early predictions that he would never ride ATVs, Brendan now competes in races and tournaments, with his family using racing to raise awareness.
The FoxP1 (搜索) Medical Research Foundation is preparing for gene therapy, with a study underway at UCLA, though no cure currently exists.
Brendan Scallan has the only known case of FoxP1 syndrome (搜索) in Louisiana, according to his family, who are now working to become one of 50 families participating in a research campaign to support a gene therapy research project. The family hopes to raise $6,000 as part of this effort.
FoxP1 syndrome (搜索) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation of the FoxP1 (搜索) gene, as described by Sheila Scallan, Brendan's mother. Geneticists diagnosed Brendan in 2019. "Being a mom, I know when he was growing up, when I noticed that he is not meeting the developmental milestones, and it took me a while really to sink in," Sheila Scallan said.
Defying Prognosis Through Racing
Doctors initially told Brendan's parents he would never be able to ride ATVs. Nico Scallan, Brendan's father, said he had wanted his son to do "dirt bike stuff" before Brendan was born, but when Brendan was diagnosed, doctors said that would be impossible. Later, a geneticist told the family the only four-wheeler Brendan would be able to operate would be one in a video game.
"It broke my heart when they said that. So I just let all those dreams go right then and just started wondering what he would be able to do because it was so new. Nobody knew anything about FoxP1 (搜索)," Nico Scallan said.
As Brendan got older, his interest in racing grew with him. Nico Scallan bought Brendan a Honda adult bike and put it in gear for him. "It was like he was just born to ride it," Nico Scallan said. Brendan now crosses finish lines and places in tournaments. "I want to race Honda in the arena," Brendan Scallan said. "I like doing donuts in the Honda."
Raising Awareness Through Racing
The family created "Scallan Wolfpack Racing" to use races to spread awareness for FoxP1 (搜索). "When we found this, we knew we found a home and a family for him and she and I just decided to make a whole family thing out of it," said Sheila Scallan. "I know that FoxP1 is not really known yet, but it is our goal really that when we go to racing that the FoxP1 syndrome (搜索), you know, it's going to be our voice."
The Path Toward Gene Therapy
There is currently no cure for FoxP1 syndrome (搜索). Sheila Scallan said a study is underway at UCLA, and there is potential for gene therapy. "The FoxP1 (搜索) Medical Research Foundation, I know it will take years really for them to start it, but they are preparing for that gene therapy," Sheila Scallan said.
Nico Scallan said the foundation has indicated that if 50 families with children with FoxP1 (搜索) could each give $6,000, gene therapy lab testing could start right away. "It'd be worth it to us," Nico Scallan said. The family said they will continue racing and raising awareness for a cure.