CAMK2-related neurodevelopmental disorders are a newly recognized family of conditions associated with mutations in the CAMK2 genes. These genes encode calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CAMK2), which plays a key role in mediating calcium signaling in the brain. Mutations in the CAMK2 genes can disrupt synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory, leading to developmental and motor delays, seizures, behavioral abnormalities, and neuropsychiatric effects. The symptoms and severity of CAMK2 disorders can vary widely, depending on which CAMK2 gene is mutated and the specific type of mutation.

While approximately 300 individuals have been diagnosed with a CAMK2-related neurodevelopmental disorder to date, scientists and clinicians expect that many more people with neurodevelopmental disorders will discover that their condition is CAMK2-related, thanks to newly available genetic tests that comprehensively identify gene mutations. Currently, there are no Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies for these disorders; treatment approaches focus on symptom management, which fails to address the disease’s root cause. As more individuals with CAMK2 mutations are identified over time, and as awareness of CAMK2-related neurodevelopmental disorders spreads, a better understanding of all possible symptoms and how specific mutations lead to various symptoms and severity is expected to emerge. This knowledge will drive a much-needed effort to understand the biology of these disorders and how to treat them effectively.

Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) will conduct a comprehensive research and clinical practice review exploring the symptoms, biology, and clinical care of CAMK2 disorders. The landscaping effort will result in a public report that distributes knowledge about these complex and rare disorders and identifies targeted opportunities for philanthropy to make an outsized impact on improving the lives of patients and their families.

For individuals and families affected by schizophrenia, navigating the complexities of diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care can be overwhelming. The barriers to effective care are multifaceted, involving diagnostic challenges, ineffective treatments, limited access to specialized resources, and fragmented community-based support systems. Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative approach among multiple stakeholders—researchers, health care providers, philanthropists, and individuals with schizophrenia—to create more holistic and effective solutions. The impact of such efforts can be transformative, improving both the quality of care and the lives of those living with schizophrenia and their families.

In 2024, the Milken Institute's Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) partnered with several philanthropic families to identify solutions to advance care for schizophrenia. SPARC will assess the current state of schizophrenia care, identify key stakeholders, and map the challenges faced by individuals with schizophrenia and their families. SPARC’s expertise in medical research philanthropy will guide the identification of areas where strategic investments could have the greatest impact. Through this collaboration, the Milken Institute will not only shed light on shortcomings in care but also provide a clear roadmap for high-impact philanthropy, contributing to more efficient resource allocation and innovative approaches to care that have the potential to make significant improvements in the lives of those affected by schizophrenia.

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a rare disease that leads to sudden vision loss, most commonly in adolescence and early adulthood. There is no cure for LHON, and there are no therapeutics available to reliably prevent, halt, or reverse the onset or progression of LHON vision loss. Most patients with LHON rapidly reach and surpass the legal blindness threshold and must quickly re-learn how to navigate a world in which they can no longer recognize faces, drive, or read—a process that incurs significant social, emotional, and financial burdens.   

LHON research has been constrained by limited, inconsistent funding, which hinders progress from early discovery to the development of treatments. Every investment in LHON research has implications not only for patients with LHON but also for patients with other conditions that share mechanisms or cell types with LHON, including mitochondrial diseases, optic neuropathies, and neurodegenerative disorders.  

Milken Institute SPARC is partnering with LHON Collective to identify areas where philanthropic investment in research and development can have the greatest impact on transforming the LHON research and therapeutic landscapes.