Friends and neighbors,

This issue brings the most hopeful news we've shared yet.

A Nobel Prize just validated what we've been fighting for—that autoimmune diseases like ours aren't mysteries to manage forever, but problems science is solving. Whether it's Nobel Prize winners or small researchers in rural facilities, they're all working for us. Right here in Texas, CIDP patients are going from wheelchairs to walking. Myasthenia gravis folks are reaching remission they were told was impossible. Real breakthroughs, real people, real hope.

As I write this, the tingling and buzzing are my constant companions—but so is the knowledge that people care and want to help. I know the feeling of isolation and even when it's just mental it can be life-changing. That's why every breakthrough matters to all of us, mentally and physically. Just to KNOW they are out there.

The good news? You're not waiting years for diagnosis anymore, if you know what to look for. You've got this community, these breakthroughs, and Texas doctors who finally understand rare autoimmune conditions.

✅ Nobel Prize validates immune-restoration approach
✅ CIDP CORNER
✅ ALS breakthrough reveals immune connection
✅ Texas centers leading cutting-edge immune research
✅ Lambert-Eaton Syndrome getting overdue attention

⏱ Read time: 4 minutes

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine just handed our community something powerful: proof that science is closing in on why our immune systems turn against us.

What happened: Researchers won medicine's highest honor for discovering how regulatory T cells prevent autoimmune diseases. Instead of just suppressing inflammation like current treatments, this work shows how to restore the immune system's natural balance.

Why Texas families should care: Many rare neurological conditions—CIDP, myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, and possibly ALS—involve immune system misfires. This breakthrough could lead to treatments that fix the problem at its root rather than just managing symptoms.

What's next: Major research institutions, including several right here in Texas, are already working on therapies based on these discoveries. Early-stage trials could begin within 2-3 years.

🎯 Your action: Ask your neurologist about upcoming immune-based clinical trials. Texas medical centers often enroll early.

Source: https://www.science.org/content/article/medicine-nobel-researchers-who-studied-how-body-polices-immune-system

High-dose vitamin B6 (above 200mg daily) can paradoxically cause nerve damage symptoms identical to deficiency, while folate supplements may mask B12 deficiency anemia even as nerve damage progresses.

Critical: Discuss all supplements with your neurologist before starting—they can confuse diagnostic tests and worsen neuropathy.

🔗 Read more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554500/

A October 2025 study published in Nature reveals ALS might be driven by immune system attacks on neurons. This completely reshapes how we understand the disease and opens doors for immune-based treatments.

What this means: If ALS has an autoimmune component, existing immune therapies might help. Several Texas research centers are already exploring this connection.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09588-6

Texas Children's Hospital continues its world-class work in autoimmune research, with specialized clinics for rare neurological conditions. Their neuromuscular team sees patients with CIDP, myasthenia gravis, and other immune-mediated conditions. Contact 832-824-4000 for neuromuscular clinic appointments.

Houston Methodist Neuromuscular Center is actively enrolling patients in multiple clinical trials.

UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas runs comprehensive autoimmune neurology programs with same-week appointment availability for acute cases.

A Houston-area CIDP patient shared their journey from wheelchair-bound to walking independently in just six months with new treatment protocols. After years of weekly IVIg infusions with limited improvement, switching to a newer immunotherapy approach made all the difference.

"I went from needing help to shower to hiking with my grandkids," they shared in an online support group. "The difference isn't just physical—it's getting your identity back."

Similar stories are emerging across Texas rare disease communities as access to newer treatments expands. Myasthenia gravis patients are reporting remission rates they never thought possible.

Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS) affects only about 3,000 Americans, but it's getting renewed research focus. This rare neuromuscular condition, which affects nerve-muscle communication, often gets misdiagnosed as myasthenia gravis or other conditions.

Key fact: 50-60% of LEMS cases are associated with small cell lung cancer, making early detection critical. The autoimmune form can now be treated with several FDA-approved options.

Texas connection: Both UT Southwestern and Houston Methodist have neuromuscular specialists experienced with LEMS diagnosis and treatment.

Source: https://ameripharmaspecialty.com/other-health-conditions/understanding-lambert-eaton-syndrome-a-rare-disorder/

Regulatory T Cells: Immune cells that prevent the immune system from attacking the body's own tissues
Neonatal Fc Receptor Blocker: New drug class that prevents harmful antibodies from damaging nerves
LEMS: Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome - rare autoimmune condition affecting nerve-muscle signal transmission
Myasthenia Gravis: Autoimmune condition causing muscle weakness, especially in eyes and throat