Accelerating Autoimmune Treatments through Alopecia Areata Research

描述（由申请人提供）：斑秃是一种以脱发为特征的疾病，影响着650万美国人，包括所有年龄、种族和民族。它更常发生在有家庭成员患病的人身上，这表明遗传和基因是疾病发生的一个因素。这种疾病的严重影响是身体、社会和心理方面的。国家斑秃基金会（NAAF）是一个非营利性组织，它支持研究斑秃的治愈方法或可接受的治疗方法，支持那些患有这种疾病的人，并教育公众关于斑秃的知识。本次峰会是基金会研究任务的核心：汇集来自世界各地相关专业的研究人员，从以往的研究进展中汲取教训，并确定未来的优先事项。NAAF使用这些优先级来评估研究提案并做出拨款决定。长期目标是安全，有效，负担得起的治疗或治愈斑秃。本次研究峰会计划于2014年12月4日至5日在马里兰州贝塞斯达举行。峰会将汇集来自遗传学、免疫学、相关自身免疫性疾病（如1型糖尿病）、皮肤病学和其他领域（包括光疗）的受人尊敬的研究人员。峰会的目标是：1)回顾新知识；2)确定并优先考虑有前途的新研究；3)制定计划，促进伙伴关系；4)公布会议结果，分享研究成果。包括妇女、少数民族和残疾人

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Alopecia areata is a disease characterized by hair loss that affects 6.5 million Americans of all ages, races and ethnicities. It occurs more frequently in people who have affected family members, suggesting heredity and genetics are a factor in disease occurrence. The profound effects of the disease are physical, social and psychological. The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) is a nonprofit organization that supports research to find a cure or acceptable treatment for alopecia areata, supports those with the disease, and educates the public about alopecia areata. This summit is central to the research mission of the Foundation: bringing together investigators from relevant specialties around the world to distill learning from previous research advances and determine future priorities. NAAF uses these priorities to evaluate research proposals and make grant funding decisions. The long-term objective is a safe, effective, affordable treatment or a cure for alopecia areata. This research summit is planned for December 4-5, 2014 in Bethesda, MD. The summit will bring together esteemed researchers representing genetics, immunology, related autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, dermatology and other fields including phototherapy. Summit objectives are to: 1) review new knowledge; 2) identify and prioritize promising new needed research; 3) develop plans and facilitate partnerships; and 4) publish meeting results to share findings. Inclusion of women, minorities, and people with disabilities is a priority so we draw on a broad and balanced field of knowledge. We encourage early-career investigators to join us and bring fresh ideas and new talent. Attendees with alopecia areata will ensure that the patient perspective is heard and considered in the prioritization process. The design of this research summit is two days combining a series of short presentations with expansive discussion facilitated by each participant having a microphone. Key findings are periodically summarized by senior researchers and co-chairs will lead presenters and participants to collectively analyze findings and recommend new research priorities and partnerships. Our method of enabling researchers to hear findings across multiple disciplines and engage in substantive Q&A and discussion fosters innovation and collaboration.