By The Lucas Project
Keith Van Haren is a child neurologist whose Stanford laboratory studies the connections between metabolism, inflammation and neurological disease. Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is one of the lab’s principal disease models. Its research combines clinical studies, imaging and laboratory analyses to investigate disease mechanisms. Stanford lab, contacts and giving instructions
Specialty and research focus
The lab’s emphasis is on understanding why neurological injury occurs and identifying possibilities for future intervention. This is research toward better prevention and treatment; it does not establish that a nutritional intervention prevents cerebral ALD. Stanford lab, contacts and giving instructions Stanford faculty profile
A research project on adrenal protection
One project described by Cure ALD brings the Van Haren and Kartha laboratories together to investigate nervonic acid in an ALD mouse model. The question is whether giving it before damage occurs can help protect adrenal function. That is a specific preclinical question, separate from showing that a supplement is safe or effective for a child with ALD. Cure ALD project description
This distinction matters when families read about prevention research. A project can be worth funding before it has produced a treatment. Its value at that stage is in testing a hypothesis carefully, including finding out whether it fails. Families should not use a project announcement as a reason to start supplements or change prescribed care.
Van Haren’s broader research connects laboratory questions with observations from people. Readers following this work can look for what was studied, whether the evidence came from animals or humans, and whether a reported result concerns a laboratory measure or a clinical outcome.
How to contact the team
For patient care, Stanford lists 650-723-0993. For clinical research, it lists research manager Swetapadma Patnaik at sweta@stanford.edu, 650-721-1458. Dedicated Stanford contact page
How to support the work
The lab provides a specific giving route through the Lucile Packard Foundation. Follow “Make a Gift” from the lab page and enter Van Haren Lab in the gift-designation box. This supports the lab; it is not a guarantee that a gift funds a particular ALD experiment. Stanford lab, contacts and giving instructions
Before contacting Stanford
For a care inquiry, ask what records and referral documents the clinic needs. For a research inquiry, ask which study is relevant, whether it is accepting participants and what participation involves. For a gift, confirm whether the designation supports the whole lab or the adrenal project specifically.
Professional contacts and giving designations were checked on November 11, 2026; confirm them with the institution before making arrangements.