Author Archives: Brian Murphy, Ph.D.

Being a parent or caregiver of a child with Angelman syndrome can be very stressful. A Japanese concept called shoshin may help you see your life and role as a caregiver in a whole new light. What is shoshin? Shoshin is a concept from Zen Buddhism that means…

The vast majority of Angelman syndrome patients, around 90%, experience some form of seizures. Seizures can be unpredictable, but you may notice that they occur more commonly under certain circumstances, and too frequently to be coincidence. These events are known as seizure triggers. Here is information about various seizure…

Seizures are common to Angelman syndrome, with some form of epilepsy found in more than 90% of these patients. To ensure that your child receives appropriate care during and after a seizure, it is important to have a seizure action plan handy. Here is information about seizure action plans, why…

Patients with Angelman syndrome may need at some point to undergo surgery and also require special considerations because of their disabilities. Here is information about the surgeries these patients may need. What is Angelman syndrome? Angelman syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that can cause problems with behavior, communication, and…

Paramedical services are of paramount importance for patients with chronic and complex neurological disorders like Angelman syndrome. Here is information about paramedical services and its various fields, some of which can help in managing disease symptoms and improving patients’ quality of life. What are paramedical services? Paramedical services, sometimes…

Angelman syndrome can affect your respiratory function, meaning it can impact your breathing. Here is more information about what types of breathing problems you or your child with Angelman may face, and how best to manage them. Sleep-disordered breathing There is little data available from sleep studies in Angelman…

Children with Angelman syndrome usually have a happy demeanor with frequent laughing and smiling. Here is information about the possible relationships between the changes in the brain of patients and their demeanor. How is laughter characterized in Angelman syndrome? Having a happy demeanor appears to be a consistent trait in…

People with Angelman syndrome can have dental problems in addition to the mental and physical disabilities that mark this disease. Many of these problems are cosmetic. However, some can lead to an increased risk of cavities, difficulty eating or drinking, and drooling. Here is more information about how a…

Patients with Angelman syndrome may have a tendency to become obese. A 2017 study reported that roughly a third of Angelman syndrome patients were overweight or obese. What is obesity? Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. BMI is the ratio of a…

Researchers are investigating gene therapy as a new form of treatment for rare genetic diseases. This approach has the potential to possibly cure diseases like Angelman syndrome. However, it is very new and there are many unknowns. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions,…