About This Project
Global Lyme Alliance is looking to undertake a first-of-its-kind medical research study that can help children, parents, and grandparents who suffer from psychiatric & neurological problems, among other physical illnesses.
This study will look at a hidden bacteria known as Bartonella, a vector-borne illness that many Americans may carry and can cause a vector-borne illness known as Bartonellosis.
GLA seeks to raise at least $300,000 to conduct this research. As an organization we've funded $25,000 to start. There is no minimum amount that we must raise before accepting contributions. 100% of your donation will go to research.
What are the goals of the project?
This study can be groundbreaking as it will:
- Test antibiotics to determine the optimal ones to eradicate the bacteria, as current treatment often does not lead to a clinical cure.
- Use cutting edge tools to look for the bacteria in kids and young adults who suffer from an acute neuropsychological condition called PANS and in older adults with dementia.
- Determine what infections are housed in the biofilms that accompany Bartonella that may also cause these terrible symptoms.
What is the context of this research?
This U.S.-focused study is multinational and multi-site, including premier academic institutions at Tulane University, the University of Minnesota, and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Top Bartonella and biofilm experts will conduct studies utilizing multiple research and commercial labs.
GLA's team of PhDs and its world-renowned Scientific Advisory Board will coordinate and review the study design to increase the probability of success and ensure publication in top-tier scientific journals.
Global Lyme Alliance is the leader in Lyme and other tick-borne disease research, with 133 peer-reviewed studies published. This will be the first comprehensive study looking at Bartonella.
Meet The Research Team
Dr. Monica Embers,
Tulane University
Dr. Embers’ research program regarding Borrelia burgdorferi and Lyme disease is centered on three major foci: (1) evaluating antibiotic efficacy against Lyme disease; (2) identifying treatments that can eradicate B. burgdorferi infection; and (3) immunodiagnosis for B. burgdorferi infection and cure. Over the past few years Dr. Embers has also focused on another bacterial vector-borne illness, Bartonellosis, which is caused by several species of Bartonella. Bartonellosis is increasingly found as a co-infection in Lyme disease patients.
Dr. B. Robert Mozayeni,
M.D., Galaxy Diagnostics
Dr. Mozayeni pursued his clinical training at Yale and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). While at Yale he studied the molecular basis of autoimmune diseases. While at the NIH Dr. Mozayeni held a tenure-track appointment as Senior Staff Fellow in the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and a clinical appointment as Rheumatology Fellow in the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. Dr. Mozayeni is a nationally recognized expert on the research and treatment of Bartonellosis patients. He is the Chief Medical Officer of Galaxy Diagnostics, co-founder of the Foundation for the Study of Inflammatory Diseases, and Past President of International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society.
Marna Ericson, Ph.D.,
University of Minnesota
Dr. Ericson is Director of the Cutaneous Imaging Center in the Department of Dermatology at University of Minnesota. Dr. Ericson’s laboratory focuses on understanding mechanisms of persistence of vector-borne infectious diseases and in particular the stealth pathogen Bartonella. Of particular interest to Dr. Ericson is the role of biofilms in persistent Bartonellosis and the resulting pathologies. Using advanced imaging technologies and cross-disciplinary approaches Dr. Ericson’s lab analyzes human tissues and blood for Bartonellae in biofilms. They also are developing innovative culture methods and animal models that better mimic human disease to serve as a ‘proving ground’ for more effective treatments for Bartonellosis patients
Annette Moter, M.D., Ph.D., Charité
Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Dr. Moter is Group Leader of the Biofilm Center at the Institute for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, and Immunology at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Dr. Moter’s main research interest is to develop novel tools for detection and therapy of biofilm-associated microbial infections. These tools have been used to study biofilms containing Bartonella species responsible for endocarditis, a life-threatening inflammation of the inner lining of your heart's chambers and valves. A particular emphasis is on discovering antimicrobial agents effective against biofilm microbes. Currently, her lab focuses on the spatial organization of the oral and gut microbiome and the interaction with the host. Further projects deal with understanding of infections due to fastidious or yet uncultured microorganisms.
None of the work GLA has accomplished would be possible without your support. From me and from the many families around the world who will benefit from GLA’s research advancements – Thank you for your generous support.Paul Ross Chairman, Global Lyme Alliance
The importance of this study cannot be overstated because of the severe neuroinflammation and neuropsychiatric disorders some patients suffer from. Without a better understanding of where Bartonella lives and hides, we have little hope of developing more effective treatment options.Timothy Sellati, P.h.D. Chief Scientific Officer, Global Lyme Alliance
