Posted on January 7, 2004 at 11:33 a.m.

Birmingham, Ala., -- UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) and the National Neurofibromatosis Foundation (NNFF) will host a symposium for patients and families with neurofibromatosis (NF) on Saturday, Jan. 17. Neurofibromatosis is the most common neurological disorder caused by a single gene mutation, affecting more than 100,000 Americans. The disease can lead to disfigurement, blindness, deafness, skeletal abnormalities, brain and spinal tumors, loss of limbs and learning disabilities. It is more prevalent than cystic fibrosis, hereditary muscular dystrophy, Huntington's disease and Tay Sachs combined.

The symposium begins at 12:30 p.m. at the Finley Conference Center, part of the Kaul Human Genetics Building, 720 20th St. South. Featured speakers include Dr. Bruce Korf, chairman of UAB’s department of genetics and chairman of the medical advisory board for the NNFF; Dr. Ludwine Messiaen, director of the first laboratory to offer mutational analysis for NF1, the most common form of NF; and Dr. Judy Small, director of the clinical trials and technology transfer office for the NNFF. The panel will conduct a question and answer session with attendees and tours of the clinical and research laboratories of the Kaul Human Genetics Building will be offered.

The National Neurofibromatosis Foundation’s board of directors will hold its semi-annual meeting at UAB in the morning on Jan. 17.