GENETIC experts believe the North-East is uniquely placed to carry out research into a crippling condition called dystonia.
Thanks to the remarkable efforts of Dr Anthony Butler, from Middleton St George, near Darlington, the region has what is believed to be the largest database of dystonia patients in the world.
That information is now being used by scientists from the Centre for Life, in Newcastle, to take blood samples from as many patients as possible.
Once the samples are collected, the aim is to research the way dystonia is passed to future generations.
Dystonia is the next most common movement disorder after Parkinson's disease.
A neurological condition caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, dystonia can cause involuntary body movements, including painful muscle spasms and abnormal postures.
Dr Butler started to collect patient details 12 years ago as part of his research for a doctorate.
He has built up a database of more than 1,600 patients.
Genetic experts are particularly interested in establishing to what extent the condition can be inherited.
Dr Butler became interested in dystonia after his wife was diagnosed with the condition.
He said: "My wife got dystonia as a child and ended up in a wheelchair."
Fortunately, due to improvements in the treatment of dystonia, his wife, Verona, is now almost back to normal.
Professor Patrick Chinnery, head of neuro-genetics at the Centre for Life, believes Dr Butler's database is a priceless help.
Prof Chinnery said: "We are in a unique position to do this research in the North-East because of Dr Butler's work."
Because of the generally stable gene pool in the region and the amount of information, the Newcastle team have a head-start on other research centres, Prof Chinnery believes.
He also said people in the region were happy to take part in medical research.
Prof Chinnery said: "Dr Butler is on a personal mission driven by his family's experience. It is a pleasure to have someone who is so motivated working with us.
"The aim is to find out what exactly causes dystonia and how it is passed on within families. This should lead to better treatments."
It should also allow families to be given advance warning if a child is likely to develop the condition.
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