Margarida Maia, PhD, science writer —

Margarida is a biochemist (University of Porto, Portugal) with a PhD in biomedical sciences (VIB and KULeuven, Belgium). Her main interest is science communication. She is also passionate about design and the dialogue between art and science.

Articles by Margarida Maia

Cognitive problems with FAP linked to thinning of key brain regions

Problems with memory and problem-solving in people with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv), a group of diseases that includes familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), associated with a thinning in specific brain regions, according to a small brain imaging study. “The reasons for cognitive involvement in ATTRv are still a subject of…

AT-02, to clear amyloid deposits, named orphan drug by FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given orphan drug designation to AT-02, Attralus’ investigational candidate for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR), a group of diseases that includes familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). Orphan drug status supports the development of potential treatments for rare diseases, those…

Green tracer may detect ATTR protein deposits at routine eye exam

Applying a fluorescent green tracer called AMDX-9101 during a routine eye exam may enable the detection of the toxic transthyretin protein deposits that cause symptoms of transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR), a group of conditions that include familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). It’s too early to know if the approach would work…

Excess blood acid from kidney problem common in hATTR: Study

Nearly every fifth adult with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR), a group of conditions that includes familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), has renal tubular acidosis (RTA) — a problem that occurs when the kidneys fail to remove acids from the blood into the urine. That’s according to a new study from…

Young adults at risk of FAP may need tailored healthcare support

Young adults at risk for familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) face unique psychological and social challenges, and likely would benefit from tailored healthcare support when undergoing pre-symptomatic testing for the rare disease. That’s according to a new study by researchers in Portugal, who conducted interviews with more than a dozen…

First hATTR patient dosed in Phase 1/2a trial of gene-editing therapy

The first patient has been dosed in a China-based Phase 1/2a clinical trial testing YOLT-201, Yoltech Therapeutics’ one-time gene-editing therapy, in people with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR), a group of diseases that includes familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). Two weeks after receiving the investigational therapy, which was given as…