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Purple Day – Understanding Epilepsy

Posted: Published on April 4th, 2013

By Jay Desai The World Health Organization statistics that address the lack of care for those with epilepsy are disturbing. Of the 50 million sufferers of epilepsy worldwide, about 85% live in the developing world. About 60 to 90% of these patients in the developing world receive no care due either to stigma or lack of resources. If properly treated, 70 to 80% of those with epilepsy can lead normal lives. Thus, anywhere from 18 to 30 million patients worldwide, possibly remain untreated and suffer when they could have enjoyed a happier and more productive life. Several advocacy organizations around the world have joined hands in recent years to raise awareness of epilepsy and decrease stigma associated with it by designating and celebrating March 26 as the Purple Day. Everyone is encouraged to dress up in purple clothes and participate in or host events to talk about epilepsy. Last week, purple day was celebrated around the world. It was observed in India as well but by a very small number of people. In fact, it passed by with not more than just a whimper. This needs to change. Let us examine a few facts about the human brain, seizures and … Continue reading →

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Shift of language function to right hemisphere impedes post- stroke aphasia recovery

Posted: Published on April 4th, 2013

Apr. 4, 2013 In a study designed to differentiate why some stroke patients recover from aphasia and others do not, investigators have found that a compensatory reorganization of language function to right hemispheric brain regions bodes poorly for language recovery. Patients who recovered from aphasia showed a return to normal left-hemispheric language activation patterns. These results, which may open up new rehabilitation strategies, are available in the current issue of Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience. "Overall, approximately 30% of patients with stroke suffer from various types of aphasia, with this deficit most common in stroke with left middle cerebral artery territory damage. Some of the affected patients recover to a certain degree in the months and years following the stroke. The recovery process is modulated by several known factors, but the degree of the contribution of brain areas unaffected by stroke to the recovery process is less clear," says lead investigator Jerzy P. Szaflarski, MD, PhD, of the Departments of Neurology at the University of Alabama and University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center. For the study, 27 right-handed adults who suffered from a left middle cerebral artery infarction at least one year prior to study enrollment were recruited. After language testing, … Continue reading →

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Stroke victim Sen. Mark Kirk praises Obama’s BRAIN initiative

Posted: Published on April 4th, 2013

Mark Kirk (center) returns to the Senate after his stroke. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Illinois Republican Sen. Mark Kirk, who last year suffered a severe stroke but has since returned to the Senate, says he supports President Barack Obama's new proposal to invest federal dollars to study the human brain. "Having suffered an ischemic stroke, I understand the importance of investing in science and technology to better understand our brain's circuitry and neurological interactions," Kirk told Yahoo News. "The new BRAIN initiative, which includes fostering partnerships with private institutions, will help bring us closer to learning more about mapping the most powerful, innovative tool in our bodies. After meeting with the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke [NINDS], I hope the research from the BRAIN initiative will continue to help doctors and scientists better understand strokes, their effects, and long-term health impacts." Obama on Tuesday unveiled the initiative, which will devote $100 million toward research on the brain in hopes of providing new insights into diseases and ideally leading to new cures and methods of treatment. The proposal will be a part of the president's budget proposal, to be released later this month. "There's this enormous mystery waiting to be … Continue reading →

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Foundation For the NIH Joins NIH In Seeking Proposals to Study Sports-Related Brain Injuries

Posted: Published on April 4th, 2013

Sports Health and Research Program a Partnership with NIH and NFL Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) April 04, 2013 Through support from SHRP, the NIH is calling for the best and brightest scientists and physicians to conduct ground-breaking medical research to enhance our understanding of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and other long-term effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury. We are encouraged by the momentum the SHRP team is building in such a short time with the announcement of these pioneering new research initiatives, said Maria Freire, Ph.D., President of the FNIH. Thanks to the generosity of the NFL, the program will provide us with invaluable data and ultimately ways to prevent and treat injuries in ways that will benefit athletes and non-athletes alike. "The research and results generated by the SHRP will help medical professionals understand more about head injuries not only in athletes, but also in the general population. We are proud to be collaborating with the FNIH on this important work," said Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner. While the five-year-long, $30 million program is initially focusing on brain injury, especially in athletes and veterans, SHRP may eventually expand to encompass other sports-related issues such as chronic degenerative … Continue reading →

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Rewiring a Damaged Spinal Cord [Video]

Posted: Published on April 4th, 2013

New treatments leverage neuroplasticity, the nervous systems innate ability to repair itself By Luciana Gravotta Image: ISTOCKPHOTO/SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI When Christopher Reeve became quadriplegic, there was little hope for patients with spinal cord injury. Now researchers are combining what they know about the central nervous systems ability to rewire and regrow with a new understanding of the hidden smarts of the spinal cord to dramatically improve treatments. Even the most devastating spinal cord injuries usually do not completely sever the link between the brain, spine and the rest of the body. Scientists are now finding ways to make the most of the remaining connections using a variety of technologies. Studies on electrical stimulation and locomotor training (a treatment that relies on human or robotic assistance during a walking exercise) suggest that it is possible to regrow damaged neuronal circuits in the brain and spine and recover some voluntary control. Some of these studies find that circuits in the spinal cord itself can be coaxed into helping the body move again. When we walk, two sources of information are processed by the spinal cord. One comes from above: instructions from the brain about where we want to go based on what we … Continue reading →

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InVivo Therapeutics Receives Humanitarian Use Device Designation for Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

Posted: Published on April 4th, 2013

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp. (NVIV), a developer of groundbreaking technologies for the treatment of spinal cord injuries (SCI) and other neurotrauma conditions, today announced that the Company has received approval for its request filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Humanitarian Use Device (HUD) designation for its biopolymer scaffolding product. HUD designation covers devices that treat rare, orphan diseases or conditions. InVivo has received designation for the use of its biopolymer scaffolding for the treatment of recent complete spinal cord injury (no motor or sensory function) that does not involve penetrating injury or complete severing of the spinal cord. Historically, companies that have received orphan status have been able to expedite commercialization, bringing products to market several years faster than other regulatory paths would have allowed. The Company expects the device to be regulated and distributed under a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) pending the results of a clinical trial for which InVivo also currently has a submission under review by the FDA. The trial will be conducted to determine that the device does not pose an unreasonable or significant risk of illness or injury, and that the probable benefit to health outweighs the risk … Continue reading →

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Man with Parkinson ‘s curbs symptoms with exercise regimen

Posted: Published on April 4th, 2013

PHOENIX - This month is national Parkinson's Awareness Month and one valley man dealing with the disease is using exercise as a way to help curb some of the symptoms. Brian Baehr begins his morning like many, with a workout. His son Matt, a personal trainer, leads him through a series of exercises to help strengthen his balance, core muscles and overall mental wellness. Fitness has always been a priority to the Baehr family, but it's on the top of their list after Brian was diagnosed with Parkinson's six years ago at the age of 47. "Four years ago it was still early in the Parkinson's awareness community that exercise was so good for you. It was known, it was understood, but it was a little early," said Brian Baehr. At the time, Matt was studying kinesiology at ASU. Through the research he was doing, he recognized the benefits exercise would have on his dad's challenges with Parkinson's. "I felt powerless and I wanted to help and at first there's not much you can do. That's half of what drove me so crazy, I couldn't help my dad and that was unacceptable to me," Matt Baehr. "He and I worked … Continue reading →

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The Merinoff Symposium 2013: Parkinson ‘s Disease and Telemedicine Begins April 9

Posted: Published on April 4th, 2013

Newswise Manhasset, NY The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research today announced the agenda for the Merinoff Symposium 2013: Parkinsons Disease, April 9 11, to discuss the opportunities and challenges for telemedicine to enhance care and access in Parkinsons disease treatment. Participants will include leaders in research for the disease; neurology and movement disorder; allied care; healthcare administration; philanthropy; industry; policy-making and legislation; and telemedicine as well as people living with Parkinsons. The Merinoff Symposium is a rare gathering of experts who can focus on Parkinsons disease from a variety of perspectives and experience, said Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president of the Feinstein Institute. The technology of telemedicine is only as effective as it is informed by the stakeholders who have the most to gain from it. This Symposium allows facts and opinions to be shared in an open and collaborative forum resulting in a clear and concrete call to action to improve the lives of patients. The agenda will include panels and speakers to address: How Telemedicine Success with Other Diseases May Apply to Parkinsons Disease: Jonathan Linkous, CEO of American Telemedicine Association will moderate. Why Telemedicine Has Been Adopted By Some Healthcare Systems and How It Is Effective: Colonel … Continue reading →

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Museum exhibit honors brain – injury survivors; tips to prevent arthritis

Posted: Published on April 4th, 2013

By Maggie Fazeli Fard, The Washington Post Eliette Markhbeins exhibit about brain injuries includes images of Gabrielle Giffords, George Clooney and others. (Matthew Breitbart/National Museum of Health and Medicine) PORTRAITS 'Whack'ed,' National Museum of Health and Medicine Hemorrhages, blunt-force trauma and bullet wounds don't exactly scream "art." But in a new exhibit, the National Museum of Health and Medicine is honoring men and women who survived such traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The temporary exhibit -- titled "Whack'ed . . . and then everything was different" -- expands on the museum's standing TBI installation, which showcases human brain specimens as well as medical tools used for surgery, treatment and rehabilitation. Artist and TBI survivor Eliette Markhbein created the larger-than-life portrait series to raise awareness of TBIs. Her subjects include former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (shot in 2011), quarterback Troy Aikman (suffered several concussions), actor George Clooney (injured in a fall on a movie set), news correspondent Bob Woodruff (wounded in Iraq) and musician Keith Richards (injured in a fall). Non-celebrity subjects include Claudia Carreon, a service member who was injured in Iraq, and Alexis Verzal, a 5-year-old who was badly shaken at 14 months. The museum describes Markhbein's technique, which combines cutting, … Continue reading →

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Annual MS walk raises money, support for research

Posted: Published on April 4th, 2013

By NOUR HABIB World Scene Writer on Apr 4, 2013, at 2:26 AMUpdated on 4/04 at 7:12 AM It took Amy Dallis two years to come to terms with the diagnosis of MS that she received in 2009. Dallis will participate in Walk MS on April 13. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World It's that type of research leading to such advancements - and, hopefully one day, a cure - that the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society seeks to support. MS is a disease that affects the central nervous system - the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. It can cause everything from extreme fatigue and problems with vision to numbness and paralysis. The Oklahoma chapter of the society is holding its 26th annual Walk MS on April 13 at Veterans Park, 1875 S. Boulder Ave. Along with going toward research in finding a cure, the funds raised at the event will also support services and programs for people with MS and their families in Oklahoma. Amy Dallis, 39, was diagnosed with MS in 2009. After two days of a numbing sensation that started in her feet and spread up to her waist, Dallis went to see a neurologist. Four hours … Continue reading →

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