About Van Haren Lab
Help Find a Cure
Be Warrior Challenge is delighted to support the work of Dr. Keith Van Haren, and his lab at Stanford University. Dr. Van Haren is one of only a small number of researchers working to find a cure for Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) and other similar disorders. Dr. Van Haren partners with the White Matter/Leukodystrophy Clinic, and with The Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford to research, and to provide care for children who have been diagnosed with ALD.
Dr. Van Haren’s research focuses on the complex interplay between metabolism and the immune system that takes place in the rapidly developing brains of young children. While most children get through this critical period of brain development with no issues, children with rare genetic conditions such as ALD can succumb to damage to the myelin sheath in the brain’s delicate tissues with disastrous and often fatal results.
Dr. Van Haren’s research has produced promising insights into the role that Vitamin D plays in the prevention of neuroinflammatory and neurometabolic disorders such as ALD. It is hoped that neonatal screening of newborn babies, along with early Vitamin D treatment may prevent the damage to brain tissues caused by ALD.
We are hopeful that our support of Dr. Van Haren’s work through the Be Warrior Challenge Hike may save the lives of children just like Ben, and provide hope to families who are faced with this diagnosis.
Promising ALD Breakthroughs from Dr. Van Haren and Team
Powered by Your Support
Thanks to you—our Be Warrior supporters, Dr. Keith Van Haren and his Stanford team are making real strides against ALD. A new Be Warrior–funded mouse model is already fueling a therapy showing early promise for boys and men like Ben, and the team has identified a brand-new therapeutic target they’ll begin testing in the coming months. Your support is turning hope into progress—and bringing new options closer for families.
Learn About ALD
A Conversation About ALD with Dr. Keith Van Haren
The following interview of Dr. Keith Van Haren by Ben Lenail was produced for Rare Disease Day. It is a great overview of ALD and helps us to understand the importance of the work being done by Dr. Van Haren and the Van Haren Lab