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Vascular EDS Research

At Annabelle's Challenge, we are led by those affected by vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (vascular EDS) and work in partnership with the whole vascular EDS (vEDS) community. 

With over 400 genetically confirmed patients registered on our database we are uniquely placed to facilitate research and clinical trials into this rare genetic condition.

What we've done so far
  • Funded vEDS research projects and programmes. 
  • Funded the creation of one of the largest vascular EDS research databases in the world with EDS UK.
  • Facilitated and recruited patients for 8 research projects.
  • Work closely with the NHS EDS National Diagnostic Service.
  • Launched regional support groups and a vEDS steering group.
  • Hosted the world's first ever conference for vascular EDS patients and clinicians.
  • Stakeholders in the international VEDS Collaborative Group.
  • Supported vEDS Clinical Trials.
  • Supported MSc trainee Genetic Counsellors through Cardiff University. 
All research proposals are carefully considered with input from our board of trustees, vEDS steering group and professional advisory board.

VEDS Research & Clinical Trials

Research Project

This research study is looking at ways to help people affected by vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (vEDS) to talk about the condition in their family.

Lead Researcher

Claire Green, Genetic Counsellor

Eligibility

UK adult patients genetically confirmed diagnosed vEDS.

Status

Recruitment Closed

Learn More

Research Project

Understanding the barriers to diagnosis and care for patients with molecularly defined/rare EDS, including vEDS. 

Lead Researcher

Colin Halverson, PhD, bioethicist. 

Eligibility

Over 18’s, worldwide.

Status

Recruiting

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Research Project

The aim of this study is to examine the quality of life and social support of parents/guardians of people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)/Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD). 

Lead Researcher

Eloise Crowson, Master's Student, University of Surrey

Eligibility

Parent/guardian of a person with a formal diagnosis of EDS/HSD. Your child or dependent can be of any age (i.e. they can be a child or an adult). You also must live with or be in close contact to your child with EDS/HSD and not have a diagnosis of EDS/HSD yourself.

Status

Recruiting

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Research Project

Investigating the oral manifestations of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

Lead Researcher

Jim Scott, Restorative Academic Clinic Fellow

Eligibility

UK adult patients genetically confirmed diagnosed vEDS or cEDS.

Status

Recruitment Closed

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Research Project

Diagnosis and Management of Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: Experience of the UK National Diagnostic Service, Sheffield

Lead Researchers

EDS Service, Sheffield

Eligibility

Patients genetically confirmed diagnosed vEDS.

Status

Results Published

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Research Project

Exploring how living with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome affects partner relationships and family planning.  

Lead Researcher

Angharad Cullinane, MSc Genetic and Genomic Counselling Student and Trainee Genetic Counsellor 

Eligibility

UK adult patients genetically confirmed diagnosed vEDS.

Status

Recruitment closed

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Research Programme

Vascular EDS exercise and wellbeing research to test the effectiveness of a novel, online lifestyle intervention based on exercise for adults with vEDS.

Lead Researcher

Markos Klonizakis, Professor of Vascular and Clinical Physiology

Eligibility

UK adult patients genetically confirmed diagnosed vEDS.

Status

Currently recruiting PhD student

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Research Project

The NEEDS study aims to increase knowledge about the clinical and genetic features of children and adults with rare types of EDS by having, amongst other things, a research database.

Lead Researcher

Dr Fleur van Dijk

Eligibility

UK adult patients genetically confirmed diagnosed rare EDS types.

Status

Ongoing

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Clinical Trial

VEDS Clinical Trial. The trial will study the investigational oral compound, enzastaurin, for its inhibition of the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway.

Sponsored by

Aytu BioPharma

Eligibility

US, UK and Europe

Status

Indefinite Suspension of R&D

Learn More

Clinical Trial

Zevra Therapeutics plans to conduct a clinical trial in the U.S. to evaluate the efficacy of a medicine known as celiprolol for the treatment of Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (VEDS).

Sponsored by

Zevra Therapeutics

Eligibility

US only

Status

Enrollment Paused

Learn More

Research Project

What is the psychosocial impact of living with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?

Lead Researcher

Leanne Barrett, Genetic Counsellor

Eligibility

Over 18's, UK only.

Status

Results Published

Learn More

Research Project

Exploring Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Patients’ Perception of Diagnosis, Treatment, and Access to Ongoing Care.

Lead Researchers

Taylor Speziale, Charlotte Cowan & Kaitlyn Johnston, MSc Genetic and Genomic Counselling students.

Eligibility

UK only.

Status

Completed

Learn More

Research Project

Understanding the Utilization of PGT Among Individuals with Inherited Aortic or Vascular Disease.

Lead Researcher

Kaleigh Patton

Eligibility

Over 18's, Worldwide.

Status

Results Published

Learn More

Research Project

Creation of VEDS Research Database at Northwick Park Hospital, London.

Lead Researchers

Dr Neeti Ghali & Dr Fleur van Dijk, Consultant clinical geneticists.

Eligibility

EDS Service London Patients.

Status

Completed

Learn More

Research Project

Natural history study to define the contribution of known VEDS gene mutations to VEDS complications and outcomes. 

Lead Researcher

Dr Sherene Shalhub, Vascular Surgeon.

Eligibility

Over 18's, Worldwide.

Status

Recruiting

Learn More

New Paper Published!

A unique collaborative model providing supportive and self-advocacy tools to the rare disease community.


Juliette M. Harris, Jacqui Fish, Jared Griffin, Gemma Hasnaoui, Clare Stacey, Neeti Ghali, Fleur S. van Dijk.


This is a great example of collaborative work of the EDS Service, a highly specialised service commissioned by NHS England and Annabelle's Challenge Vascular EDS Charity including health care professionals, patients, carers and members of the emergency care project team.


The recommendations from this unique collaborative model include eight specific domains of self-advocacy: increasing knowledge of rare disease, taking care of mental well-being, taking care of physical well-being including routine care, the development of good working relationships between patients and health care professionals, information accessibility, emergency preparedness, taking part in education and outreach, and involvement in research and feedback opportunities.


Highlights

  • Having a rare disease presents a unique set of health care challenges.
  • Self-advocacy can help people with a rare disease get their needs met.
  • Empowering health care professionals in rare disease is important.
  • Specialised services are uniquely placed to help people with rare diseases.
  • Collaborations between patients and health care professionals support self-advocacy.
View Publication

Research Update

Future needs for research into vascular EDS
  • Collect all sequence data from testing laboratories and facilitate contact with all individuals with pathological variants and those with variants of unknown significance (VUS) for follow-up.
  • Create animal models with common types of mutations - heterozygous substitutions for glycine in the triple helical domain and splice site mutations.
  • Develop clinical trials for small molecular intervention.
  • Develop models for genetic intervention.
  • Create an international web-based registry of individuals with vascular EDS with permission to contact and re-contact for both clinical information and involvement in clinical trials.

VEDS Steering Group

Working directly for the charity and the community we serve. 

The steering committee will help to shape the future of the charity as it continues to grow providing support, guidance, and overseeing the progress of all community based projects including events and research in the UK.

The team is made up of volunteers who are directly touched by vascular EDS including patients, parents and carers, they are also supported and advised by genetic counsellors from the EDS National Diagnostic Service in Sheffield and London.

VASCULAR EDS RESEARCH

Please donate now to help us fund vEDS research projects
DONATE

400


We support over 400 members touched by Vascular EDS. 

COL3A1


Vascular EDS is caused by a mutation in the COL3A1 gene.

740


It is estimated 740 people have Vascular EDS in the UK.

Vascular EDS Updates

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