Lindsey Shapiro, PhD,  science writer—

Lindsey earned her PhD in neuroscience from Emory University in Atlanta, where she studied novel therapeutic strategies for treatment-resistant forms of epilepsy. She was awarded a fellowship from the American Epilepsy Society in 2019 for this research. Lindsey also previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher, studying the role of inflammation in epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.

Articles by Lindsey Shapiro

Low blood sugar may be among symptoms of EDS: Case report

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, may be among symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), according to a case report. A woman with hypermobile EDS (hEDS) came to a clinic experiencing significant neurological symptoms related to low blood sugar that occurred most often after eating or physical activity, but was…

Mouse model yields potential approach to EDS and wound healing

Researchers using a mouse model discovered two possible approaches for restoring more normal wound healing in classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (cEDS). Both help to beneficially modulate a network of molecules called the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is important for providing structure and support to cells and for promoting wound…

Autonomic nervous system out of balance in people with hEDS: Study

Young adults with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) exhibit signs of an imbalance in the body’s autonomic nervous system, according to a recent study. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and digestion. The observed imbalance was linked to…

Muscle weakness while walking may contribute to unstable joints

People with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) produced less force when extending their hips during walking and had weaker muscles associated with hip extension compared to healthy people, according to a recent analysis. Researchers believe this muscle weakness may contribute to joint instability and related joint damage that tends to…

Pain interferes with walking in children with hEDS/HSD: Study

Children with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) who are in pain or anticipating pain show certain walking patterns, leading researchers to believe walking assessments may help to better understand clinical characteristics of the conditions and to develop coping strategies. Compared with typically developing children, those…

Blocking sensory nerve fibers eased pain responses in mice

Abnormally high sensitivity of a type of sensory nerve fibers is behind the heightened pain responses to harmless light touch that were observed in a mouse model of classical-like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (clEDS), a study shows. This abnormal pain sensation, called mechanical allodynia, is a main symptom of neuropathic pain…

Endoplasmic reticulum stress may underlie vEDS complications: Study

Stress in a cell compartment called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) may cause irregularities in collagen fibrils that underlie the serious blood vessel-related symptoms of vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS), according to a recent study. Patients who had more irregular collagen fibrils — major structural units of cells — tended to…