Where we are today
It is difficult for anyone to grasp and to integrate the overwhelming complexity of a disease that affects the brain. Despite over 100 years of study, the only tools in a physician’s toolbox to treat CLN3 disease are palliative. Anti-epileptics are very effective for treating seizures. Anti-depressants are used widely for anxiety and other mood disorders. Many families report that physician-prescribed L-DOPA alleviates Parkinson-like movements. Unfortunately, these treatments have no effect on the progression of disease. Thankfully, the tide is turning. By incorporating findings in neurodegeneration, characteristics of CLN3 disease, and employing advanced technologies, academic investigators, clinician scientists, and pharmaceutical scientists are developing treatments with the potential to support health and block disease.
February/March 2025 Research Update from Dr. Ineka Whiteman, BBDF Principal Scientist
Batten Disease Global Research Initiative Inaugural Grants Announced!
Starting with our biggest news this month, we were thrilled to announce the winners of the inaugural Batten Disease Global Research Initiative (BDGRI) Research Grants. In our press release on March 18, we were proud to reveal the recipients, awarding a total of USD $320,000 to six groundbreaking projects worldwide.
Read the full announcement here.
BBDF is proud to be a Funding Partner and support John Ostergaard’s and Sara Mole’s projects. More information can be found here.
Rare Disease Week – February 24-26
I had the privilege of participating in Rare Disease Week on Capitol Hill, Washington DC. Hosted by the EveryLife Foundation and Rare Disease Legislative Advocates, this annual event unites advocates from across the country to make their voices heard by their Members of Congress. Throughout the week, participants heard from leaders in the field on policy proposals impacting the rare disease community, including:
- Support for steady and robust leadership, federal biomedical research funding, and public health agencies.
- Reauthorization of the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program.
- Inclusion of the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (AKACA).
Right now, Congress is juggling three separate but intertwined legislative processes related to funding government operations, each of which have direct implications for these policies: the Continuing Resolution, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Appropriations Cycle, and Budget Reconciliation. The EveryLife Foundation has provided a brief overview to help breakdown what is happening, what is at stake, and what can be done to support the resources and services that drive our rare disease research, therapy development, and access to care. You can read the review here:
How Congressional Budget Decisions Shape Rare Disease Funding—And What You Can Do
Click here to check out the highlights from our Week on Capitol Hill.
Highlights from the 2025 Gordon Research Conference on Lysosomal Diseases – March 1-7, Pomona, CA
Held every two years, Gordon Research Conference (GRC) is focused on cutting-edge and unpublished research. There is always a wonderful turnout from the Batten disease research community (pictured below) and I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to connect with so many throughout the week-long meeting.
The GRC is designed to foster in-depth discussion, new collaborations and to strengthen existing collaborations among attendees from clinical, academic and biotech sectors. Key topics this year included novel gene replacement and gene-editing approaches, biomarker discovery, and cellular mechanisms driving disease progression. Sessions delved into how lysosomal function is impaired in various diseases and how this knowledge can inform broader applications in biology and medicine. Emerging areas such as the role of lysosomes in neurodegeneration, energy metabolism, infection, and immunity were also explored.
I was honored to have presented a poster on some of our recent collaborative research titled CLN3 Batten disease: A Timeline of Symptom Onset and Disease Progression, and was also invited to present on a Career Mentorship panel, as part of the Gordon Research Seminar (GRS), a satellite meeting to GRC for young researchers. I enjoyed the opportunity to share my experiences in academic research, the biotech industry and now in the patient advocacy space, highlighting how my role in Batten disease patient advocacy has by far been the most rewarding of these. I hope I may have inspired some of our young researchers to consider this career pathway sometime in their futures!
Image: Batten disease researchers, clinicians and patient advocates from around the world came together at the GRC in California in March.
EVENTS
MEET-THE-EXPERT WEBINAR – Research update & Communication Strategies in CLN2 & CLN3 Batten disease
On April 2nd, BDSRA Australia hosted a live webinar event with Speech Pathologists Lottie Morison and Prof. Angela Morgan from The Centre of Research Excellence – Translational Centre for Speech and Disorders at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) Melbourne. They shared the research paper ‘Speech, Language and Non-verbal Communication in CLN2 and CLN3 Batten Disease’, which was recently published in the Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease. As a co-author on the paper, BBDF is proud to support this important research.
In the webinar, presenters provided an overview of the collaborative research, including practical strategies to support communication for individuals with CLN2 and CLN3 disease, such as tailored speech and language intervention, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
A recording of this webinar, and additional speech, language and communication resources are now available. Please email Nikki Hopkins at info@bdsraaustralia.org for further information.
NCL2025 Congress ABSTRACTS and REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
The 19th International Congress on Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) will be held form October 28th – November 1st, 2025, in the stunning surrounds of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. As the premier conference on Batten disease, the bi-annual NCL Congress brings together world-leading researchers, healthcare providers, industry partners, innovators and patient advocacy leaders from around the globe.
Abstracts and Early-Bird Registrations are now open! Abstracts must be submitted by June 6th.
We hope to see you Down Under! Visit www.NCL2025.org for more details.
As always, thank you for your support and dedication to our shared mission.
Warm regards,
January 2025 Research Update from Dr. Ineka Whiteman, BBDF Principal Scientist
The Power of Family Involvement in Batten Disease Research
In Batten disease research, as with other rare diseases, true progress is best achieved when patients and families are at the center of the conversation. Their lived experiences provide critical insights that drive meaningful advancements in science, clinical care, and drug development.
Family perspectives help inspire research ideas and shape study designs, ensuring they reflect real-world challenges and priorities; patients and their families offer invaluable data through participation in natural history studies, biobanking, and through involvement in clinical trials.
But beyond the science, patient and family involvement keeps research grounded in its true purpose: improving lives. By fostering strong collaborations between researchers, clinicians, and the Batten disease community, together we create solutions that are not just innovative but also practical and impactful.
This month’s Research Highlights, both of which I was honored to have been involved, are outstanding examples of how family involvement can make a profound difference in the fight against Batten disease. On behalf of the research teams represented in these two highlighted articles, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to all the families who have contributed to this important work. Whether through participation in speech and language assessments, sharing insights with researchers, or generous tissue donation, your dedication and generosity helps bring hope to countless others. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey.
Research Highlights
New research on speech and language in CLN2 and CLN3 disease
Progressive speech and language impairment is a prominent feature of Batten Disease, yet to date there has been no systematic characterization of speech and language in this condition.
Understanding the decline in communication in Batten disease helps us better understand the disease biology, may be an important measure of treatment efficacy in clinical trials, and critically, can help inform families and clinicians optimize speech & language therapy approaches.
In this study, led by Prof. Angela Morgan and PhD candidate Lottie Morison at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) in Melbourne Australia, the team sought to understand the speech and language features, support needs and strengths in the two most common forms of Batten disease: CLN2 and CLN3 disease.
The results of this research, published in the Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease demonstrate (1) the importance of clinical education and awareness that speech and language difficulties can be early signs of Batten disease; (2) tailored speech and language therapies are important to support speech and language skills, especially training communication partners; and (3) many people with Batten disease would benefit from early Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) access to support communication for as long as possible.
This paper is freely available to read here Speech, Language and Non‐verbal Communication in CLN2 and CLN3 Batten Disease
Free Patient Resources are also available, including Plain Language Summary of this research and Fact Sheets about speech & language in CLN2 and CLN3 Batten disease. Thanks to the Translational Centre for Speech Disorders at MCRI.
Download the PDF resources here: Genes – Centre of Research Excellence in Speech and Language
NCL2025 Congress website now live!
Beyond Batten Disease Foundation is thrilled to be a main sponsor for the 19th International Congress on Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) in Queensland, Australia. As the premier conference on Batten disease, the bi-annual NCL Congress brings together world-leading researchers, healthcare providers, industry partners, innovators and patient advocacy leaders from around the globe.
In 2025, we are excited to support an invaluable opportunity for meaningful engagement and shared learning between Congress delegates and the Batten disease family community.
The website is now live – visit NCL 2025. Here you can register to stay up to date with latest meeting information and news including venue and accommodation details, programs and abstract submissions.
We hope to see you Down Under!
As always, thank you for your support and dedication to our shared mission.
Warm regards,
Characterisation of sleep in a mouse model of CLN3 disease revealed sex-specific sleep disturbances.
Kane KM, Iradukunda D, McLouth CJ, Guo LZ, Wang J, Subramoniam A, Huffman D, Donohue KD, O’Hara BF, Sunderam S, Wang QJ.
J Sleep Res. 2025 Jan 28:e14461. doi: 10.1111/jsr.14461. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 39873354
Zhao JQ, Feng BY, Ye ZL, Ma XY, Du JZ, Li JM, Wu WL, Gao JJ, Li SJ, Peng SY, Huai JS, Ge LH, Lu CB.
Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2025 Feb;46(2):338-352. doi: 10.1038/s41401-024-01377-7. Epub 2024 Sep 16. PMID: 39284877
Speech, Language and Non-verbal Communication in CLN2 and CLN3 Batten Disease.
Morison LD, Whiteman IT, Vogel AP, Tilbrook L, Fahey MC, Braden R, Bredebusch J, Hildebrand MS, Scheffer IE, Morgan AT.
J Inherit Metab Dis. 2025 Jan;48(1):e12838. doi: 10.1002/jimd.12838. PMID: 39821609
Open-label evaluation of oral trehalose in patients with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses.
Della Vecchia S, Gammaldi N, Ricca I, Mero S, Doccini S, Ardissone A, Bagnoli S, Battini R, Colombi E, Favaro J, Furlan R, Giordano L, Ingannato A, Mandelli A, Manzoni FMP, Milito G, Moroni I, Nacmias B, Nardocci N, Parmeggiani L, Pezzini F, Pietrafusa N, Sartori S, Specchio N, Trivisano M, Ets ACL, Simonati A, Santorelli FM; A-NCL ETS Group.
J Neurol. 2025 Jan 7;272(1):94. doi: 10.1007/s00415-024-12790-7. PMID: 39775944
The use of nanocarriers in treating Batten disease: A systematic review.
Henke L, Ghorbani A, Mole SE.
Int J Pharm. 2024 Dec 16:125094. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.125094. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39694161 Review.
Dwojak E, O’Mard D, Zou J, Wassif CA, Burkett S, Eckhaus M, Rueda Faucz F, Padilla C, Villasmil R, Zheng W, Dang Do AN.
Stem Cell Res. 2024 Dec;81:103563. doi: 10.1016/j.scr.2024.103563. Epub 2024 Sep 18. PMID: 39317061
Zhang D, Xu F, Bao Y, Xu Y.
Zhonghua Yi Xue Yi Chuan Xue Za Zhi. 2024 Dec 10;41(12):1469-1472. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn511374-20240927-00510.
PMID: 39653353 Chinese.
Vacuolated lymphocytes: a diagnostic biomarker for CLN3-related Batten disease.
Cruz-Pimentel M, Parameswarappa DC, Ryu G, Klatt R, Vincent A.
Can J Ophthalmol. 2025 Mar 20:S0008-4182(25)00114-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2025.02.021. Online ahead of print.
Enzyme Replacement Therapy in CLN2-Associated Retinopathy.
Priglinger C, Courage C, Maier EM.
Klin Monbl Augenheilkd. 2025 Mar;242(3):213-218. doi: 10.1055/a-2528-7886. Epub 2025 Mar 24. PMID: 40127655 Review.
Tagless LysoIP for immunoaffinity enrichment of native lysosomes from clinical samples.
Saarela D, Lis P, Gomes S, Nirujogi RS, Dong W, Rawat E, Glendinning S, Zeneviciute K, Bagnoli E, Fasimoye R, Lin C, Nyame K, Boros FA, Zunke F, Lamoliatte F, Elshani S, Jaconelli M, Jans JJ, Huisman MA, Posern C, Westermann LM, Schulz A, van Hasselt PM, Alessi DR, Abu-Remaileh M, Sammler EM.
J Clin Invest. 2024 Dec 26;135(4):e183592. doi: 10.1172/JCI183592. PMID: 39724071; PMCID: PMC11827837.
Priglinger CS, Courage C, Lotz-Havla AS, Gerhardt M, Ehrt O, Kurz M, Pudritz H, Rudolph G, Jackson CB, Maier EM.
Neuropediatrics. 2025 Apr;56(2):142-146. doi: 10.1055/a-2510-5592. Epub 2025 Jan 7. PMID: 39776429
TRAM-LAG1-CLN8 family proteins are acyltransferases regulating phospholipid composition.
Sheokand PK, James AM, Jenkins B, K Lysyganicz P, Lacabanne D, King MS, Kunji ERS, Siniossoglou S, Koulman A, Murphy MP, Petkevicius K.**
Sci Adv. 2025 Feb 21;11(8):eadr3723. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adr3723. Epub 2025 Feb 19.
PMID: 39970228
** 2025 Batten Disease Global Research Initiative Grant Recipient
Shilatifard A, Ben-Sahra I.
J Clin Invest. 2025 Feb 17;135(4):e188507. doi: 10.1172/JCI188507.
PMID: 39959975
Yu Z, Yan J, Liu Z, Wang H, Luo G, Chen H.
Front Cell Dev Biol. 2025 Jan 23;13:1508714. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2025.1508714. eCollection 2025.
PMID: 39917569 Free PMC article.
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis-Concepts, Classification, and Avenues for Therapy.
Zhang Y, Du B, Zou M, Peng B, Rao Y.
CNS Neurosci Ther. 2025 Feb;31(2):e70261. doi: 10.1111/cns.70261.
PMID: 39925015 Review.