Mucolipidosis IV Foundation
ML4 is a genetic disease causing mental retardation, retinal degeneration, and limited lifespan. The mission of the Foundation is to fund, promote, and support medical research dedicated to developing treatments and a cure for ML4.
About ML4
Mucolipidosis type IV (ML4), was first identified in 1974 as a genetic disease. Children with ML4 begin to
exhibit developmental delay during the first year of life. Many parents seek opthomalogic evaluations for pseudo-strabismus and medical intervention for delayed motor milestones. Children with ML4 typically reach a maximum developmental age of 18 months in language and motor function, although their receptive abilities are more advanced.
The ML4 Foundation is a non-profit corporation founded by families whose lives have been affected by ML4.
The mission of the Foundation is to fund, promote, and support medical research dedicated to developing effective treatments and ultimately, curing ML4 by:
- Providing critical financial support to researchers to pursue scientific endeavors related to ML4;
- Linking individuals with ML4 with researchers for clinical studies;
- Encouraging established researchers to stimulate interest in ML4 at high academic levels;
- Sponsoring symposia and other programs concerning Ml4 research to inspire cooperation, communication, and collaboration among scientific researchers, academic institutions, charitable organizations, governmental agencies, and concerned individuals;
- Raise awareness in the medical community to decrease the undiagnosed and misdiagnosed cases of ML4, and
- Increase education in the Jewish community, and the general community, as to the availability of the carrier and prenatal screening tests.
Randy Gold, ML4 Foundation Vice President, was named the 2011 Jewish Community Hero sponsored by the Jewish Federations® of North America for his efforts around promoting awareness of the 19 known preventable Jewish Genetic Diseases.
