1 in 7,000
May 18, 2021
There are 7,000 rare diseases that affect millions of people. In the USAA disease is considered rare if fewer than 200,000 people are affected by it. Because these diseases are rare, a lot is still unknown. This creates problems in the management of rare diseases, like autoimmune encephalitis, because it leads to misdiagnosis, unmet treatment, and lack of medication options. Even when a rare disease is diagnosed, 95% of rare diseases still have no FDA approved treatment.
Rare diseases only affect a few people compared to common diseases, and therefore receive less funding for research. The lack of funding results in a lack of treatment options, clinical trials, and development of novel medications, and this applies to autoimmune encephalitis as well. It is critical that we increase funding for autoimmune encephalitis to ensure a timely diagnosis, targeted treatments and improved outcomes for those affected by autoimmune encephalitis.
Join the Research Network to grow the Seed Grant Program and improve the lives of those affected by AE.
Together, we are changing the course of AE.
