Following the Arizona shootings, many have been following the progress of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head. Against the odds, she is holding her own, even breathing by herself after being taken off a respirator.
The lifesaving surgery she underwent included removing part of her skull to allow the bullet in her brain to be taken out and her brain to swell unencumbered.
Neal Naff, M.D., chief of Neurosurgery at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, has performed the same type of surgery many times and explains that doctors are monitoring her progress very closely.
“At this point, they will be keeping an eye out for increased pressure on the brain as well as any seizure activity and infections," he says.
Giffords' physicians remain encouraged by her progress, saying it is "going as anticipated." Dr. Naff says that once the brain swelling goes down, her doctors will talk about reattaching the portion of the skull that was removed.
According to Dr. Naff, it could take weeks and months to the long-term effects of the injury. However, yesterday Giffords opened her eyes. She can follow commands, move her arms and breathe without help, all of which are encouraging signs of her recovery.
To learn more about Dr. Naff and the Brain and Spine Institute, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
-Helene King
Showing posts with label Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain and Spine Institute. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain and Spine Institute. Show all posts
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Concussions: More Than a Knock on the Head
Two or more athletes collide on a football field. One hits the ground hard suffering a head impact. The athlete gets up, shakes it off and continues to play. Not always the wise thing to do.
“I often say that football is not a contact sport, it is a collision sport,” says Kevin Crutchfield, M.D., the director of the Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute. A concussion is not a simple knock on the head but an injury to your brain that should be taken seriously, he says.
Dr. Crutchfield presented a lecture about sports-related concussions at Sinai Hospital’s Grand Rounds last week. Neurology, rehabilitation and other experts collaborate to monitor and treat sports-related concussions in high school- and college-aged athletes to predict when it is safe for an athlete to resume participation in contact sports.
Dr. Crutchfield is an expert in treating concussions, and a former college athlete who himself suffered a concussion. “I understand what is going on in the inside as well as the outside,” he says.
Everyone should remember that if you sustain a hard hit to the head, seek medical attention. Without proper medical attention, particularly from repeat concussions, risks can include insomnia, visual disturbances, and early onset dementia.
And you don’t have to be an athlete to receive the help you need at the Brain & Spine Institute. In addition to sports injuries, common causes of concussions include bicycle accidents, car accidents, and falls, as well as blows to the head. BSI experts will medically manage those individuals who sustain a recent brain injury and to work with those with unresolved long-standing symptoms that relate to mild brain injury.
“A concussion may cause moderate changes in a person's thinking, emotional, or physical
abilities, and these changes can significantly impact everyday life,” Dr. Crutchfield says.
To learn more or to find a physician, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
-Sandra Crockett
“I often say that football is not a contact sport, it is a collision sport,” says Kevin Crutchfield, M.D., the director of the Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute. A concussion is not a simple knock on the head but an injury to your brain that should be taken seriously, he says.
Dr. Crutchfield presented a lecture about sports-related concussions at Sinai Hospital’s Grand Rounds last week. Neurology, rehabilitation and other experts collaborate to monitor and treat sports-related concussions in high school- and college-aged athletes to predict when it is safe for an athlete to resume participation in contact sports.
Dr. Crutchfield is an expert in treating concussions, and a former college athlete who himself suffered a concussion. “I understand what is going on in the inside as well as the outside,” he says.
Everyone should remember that if you sustain a hard hit to the head, seek medical attention. Without proper medical attention, particularly from repeat concussions, risks can include insomnia, visual disturbances, and early onset dementia.
And you don’t have to be an athlete to receive the help you need at the Brain & Spine Institute. In addition to sports injuries, common causes of concussions include bicycle accidents, car accidents, and falls, as well as blows to the head. BSI experts will medically manage those individuals who sustain a recent brain injury and to work with those with unresolved long-standing symptoms that relate to mild brain injury.
“A concussion may cause moderate changes in a person's thinking, emotional, or physical
abilities, and these changes can significantly impact everyday life,” Dr. Crutchfield says.
To learn more or to find a physician, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
-Sandra Crockett
Friday, September 24, 2010
Keeping Your Head: The Most Dangerous Games
by Mark Huslage, LCSW-C, CBIST
Coordinator of Brain Injury Programs, LifeBridge Health
As stories like this show us, emergency room visits are rising for concussions among student athletes. While we often focus on the risks of football, that's only one of many sports that place players at risk for significant neurological injury such as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or “concussion.”
Fall sports such as soccer, lacrosse and cheerleading have high rates of concussive injury, especially as the age and athletic abilities of participants increase. Thankfully, with the increasing awareness of parents, players and coaches, along with coordinated medical approaches at places like the Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program at The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute, improved management of mTBI continues to emerge.
“It’s all about concussion awareness and paying attention on everyone’s part," says Kevin Crutchfield, M.D., director of the Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute. “There are great pressures on athletes and coaches to play through injury to demonstrate dedication and the desire to win. Someone has to be willing to protect the player from further harm.”
A period of rest is needed in all cases of diagnosed concussion, with some requiring weeks or months of layoff from competitive play.
“For those student athletes who experience memory and thinking problems, temporary classroom accommodations may be needed, as well,” adds Brain and Spine Institute neuropsychologist Julie O’Reilly, Psy.D. “Families should feel empowered to make such requests, as needed.”
Despite recent advances in concussion management, there continue to be injuries that cause long-term physical, cognitive and behavioral effects. Mild traumatic brain injury has been increasingly diagnosed in workplace accidents, motor vehicle accidents and on the battlefield. Slips and falls in at-risk populations add to this burgeoning epidemic. With concussions representing 80 percent of all brain injuries in the U.S., the need for specialized care is readily apparent.
“Many of the people we see in the Mild Brain Injury Program here at Sinai received inadequate medical attention at the time of injury,” says MBI Case Manager Linda Hutchinson-Troyer. “Some went undiagnosed, while others were given only minimal care, with little aftercare instruction.” Experts in the field agree that much of the long-term effects of concussion would be diminished if early management was consistently practiced.
Health care professionals are encouraged to learn more at Sinai Rehabilitation Center's one-day conference on the diagnosis and treatment of mTBI, "Not 'Just a Concussion'—Understanding Mild Brain Injury and Its Management. " This presentation will focus on the medical, neuropsychological and clinical interventions that promote a full and speedy recovery. To register or for more information, click here.
Coordinator of Brain Injury Programs, LifeBridge Health
As stories like this show us, emergency room visits are rising for concussions among student athletes. While we often focus on the risks of football, that's only one of many sports that place players at risk for significant neurological injury such as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or “concussion.”
Fall sports such as soccer, lacrosse and cheerleading have high rates of concussive injury, especially as the age and athletic abilities of participants increase. Thankfully, with the increasing awareness of parents, players and coaches, along with coordinated medical approaches at places like the Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program at The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute, improved management of mTBI continues to emerge.
“It’s all about concussion awareness and paying attention on everyone’s part," says Kevin Crutchfield, M.D., director of the Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute. “There are great pressures on athletes and coaches to play through injury to demonstrate dedication and the desire to win. Someone has to be willing to protect the player from further harm.”
A period of rest is needed in all cases of diagnosed concussion, with some requiring weeks or months of layoff from competitive play.
“For those student athletes who experience memory and thinking problems, temporary classroom accommodations may be needed, as well,” adds Brain and Spine Institute neuropsychologist Julie O’Reilly, Psy.D. “Families should feel empowered to make such requests, as needed.”
Despite recent advances in concussion management, there continue to be injuries that cause long-term physical, cognitive and behavioral effects. Mild traumatic brain injury has been increasingly diagnosed in workplace accidents, motor vehicle accidents and on the battlefield. Slips and falls in at-risk populations add to this burgeoning epidemic. With concussions representing 80 percent of all brain injuries in the U.S., the need for specialized care is readily apparent.
“Many of the people we see in the Mild Brain Injury Program here at Sinai received inadequate medical attention at the time of injury,” says MBI Case Manager Linda Hutchinson-Troyer. “Some went undiagnosed, while others were given only minimal care, with little aftercare instruction.” Experts in the field agree that much of the long-term effects of concussion would be diminished if early management was consistently practiced.
Health care professionals are encouraged to learn more at Sinai Rehabilitation Center's one-day conference on the diagnosis and treatment of mTBI, "Not 'Just a Concussion'—Understanding Mild Brain Injury and Its Management. " This presentation will focus on the medical, neuropsychological and clinical interventions that promote a full and speedy recovery. To register or for more information, click here.
Monday, July 19, 2010
New Scanning Technique May Lead the Way to Alzheimer Treatment
by Robin K. Wilson, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Director, Adult Hydrocephalus Center, Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
Ever forget where you put your keys and worried for a moment that you’ve started to develop Alzheimer disease? A study presented at last week’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference suggests that a noninvasive imaging procedure using a PET scan and a new radioactive tracer called AV-45 (Avid Radiopharmaceutical, Inc.) may eventually allow your physician to check for the presence of amyloid - a protein that is associated with AD - before true symptoms of dementia develop.
Though the buildup of amyloid does not guarantee that a person will become cognitively impaired, this new technique may allow the detection and - eventually - treatment of cognitive changes before irreversible damage occurs.
AD is just one of many causes of dementia, and amyloid buildup is just one factor related to the progression of AD. Nevertheless, if some researchers design noninvasive procedures for finding early cognitive changes and other researchers develop medications that can reduce the speed of these changes, eventually it’s possible that your physician will be able to prescribe a medication that could slow the process of cognitive decline before you lose your car keys as well as your car.
Though most neurologists and geriatricians do not expect a “cure” for dementia in the near future, they recognize that slowing its progression and enabling patients to spend a few more years living independently can make a tremendous difference. The AV-45 tracer may help with this goal.
The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute offers a full spectrum of specialty programs and provides comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic care for those with cognitive impairment and other neurologic disorders. For more information or an appointment, call 410-601-WELL (410-601-9355).
Associate Director, Adult Hydrocephalus Center, Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
Ever forget where you put your keys and worried for a moment that you’ve started to develop Alzheimer disease? A study presented at last week’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference suggests that a noninvasive imaging procedure using a PET scan and a new radioactive tracer called AV-45 (Avid Radiopharmaceutical, Inc.) may eventually allow your physician to check for the presence of amyloid - a protein that is associated with AD - before true symptoms of dementia develop.
Though the buildup of amyloid does not guarantee that a person will become cognitively impaired, this new technique may allow the detection and - eventually - treatment of cognitive changes before irreversible damage occurs.
AD is just one of many causes of dementia, and amyloid buildup is just one factor related to the progression of AD. Nevertheless, if some researchers design noninvasive procedures for finding early cognitive changes and other researchers develop medications that can reduce the speed of these changes, eventually it’s possible that your physician will be able to prescribe a medication that could slow the process of cognitive decline before you lose your car keys as well as your car.
Though most neurologists and geriatricians do not expect a “cure” for dementia in the near future, they recognize that slowing its progression and enabling patients to spend a few more years living independently can make a tremendous difference. The AV-45 tracer may help with this goal.
The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute offers a full spectrum of specialty programs and provides comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic care for those with cognitive impairment and other neurologic disorders. For more information or an appointment, call 410-601-WELL (410-601-9355).
Friday, March 12, 2010
Grey Matter
by Robin Wilson, M.D., Ph.D.
Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
Last night, we once again got to see Grey's Anatomy's Dr. Izzie Stevens at Seattle Grace Hospital (Season 6, episode 9, “New History”), pushing the wheelchair of her high school teacher, Dr. Singer (played by Joel Grey). Izzie returned not to reclaim her career, but to demand a medical workup to determine why her mentor went from teaching school to living in a nursing home in less than one year. After a lumbar puncture, Dr. Singer leapt from the exam table, his confusion cleared and his ability to walk restored. Izzie realized that Dr. Singer had a treatable disease - normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) - and set out to talk her friends into providing free shunt surgery for him.
Every week at the Adult Hydrocephalus Center of the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute, we evaluate patients for possible NPH. Like Dr. Singer, most of our patients are older than 60 and have experienced a gradual decline in balance and ability to walk; some are wheelchair bound. Many also have mild dementia and loss of bladder control. We diagnose NPH by reviewing the patient’s medical history, signs and symptoms, physical exam, brain MRI, and response to removal of cerebrospinal fluid by lumbar puncture or extended drainage (while in the hospital). Because the symptoms associated with NPH have many other causes, we evaluate patients thoroughly to confirm that surgery is likely to help before we recommend it.
Though sometimes remarkable improvement is achieved with shunt surgery, the magnificent and instantaneous response demonstrated by Dr. Singer is not what we expect to see. Typically after shunt surgery, our patients experience gradual improvement over 6–9 months. As the shunt only treats hydrocephalus, if a patient has other disorders contributing to dementia, mobility impairment, or loss of bladder control, unfortunately, he or she will have only partial improvement with the shunt. We tell our patients, “We can make you better, but we can’t make you any younger.”
Izzie had the right idea, though - no Grey area about it. A patient who has a progressive course of gait or cognitive impairment deserves a complete medical workup to screen for a treatable disorder such as NPH.
To learn more about normal pressure hydrocephalus, visit the Adult Hydrocephalus Center or call 410-601-WELL.
Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
Last night, we once again got to see Grey's Anatomy's Dr. Izzie Stevens at Seattle Grace Hospital (Season 6, episode 9, “New History”), pushing the wheelchair of her high school teacher, Dr. Singer (played by Joel Grey). Izzie returned not to reclaim her career, but to demand a medical workup to determine why her mentor went from teaching school to living in a nursing home in less than one year. After a lumbar puncture, Dr. Singer leapt from the exam table, his confusion cleared and his ability to walk restored. Izzie realized that Dr. Singer had a treatable disease - normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) - and set out to talk her friends into providing free shunt surgery for him.
Every week at the Adult Hydrocephalus Center of the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute, we evaluate patients for possible NPH. Like Dr. Singer, most of our patients are older than 60 and have experienced a gradual decline in balance and ability to walk; some are wheelchair bound. Many also have mild dementia and loss of bladder control. We diagnose NPH by reviewing the patient’s medical history, signs and symptoms, physical exam, brain MRI, and response to removal of cerebrospinal fluid by lumbar puncture or extended drainage (while in the hospital). Because the symptoms associated with NPH have many other causes, we evaluate patients thoroughly to confirm that surgery is likely to help before we recommend it.
Though sometimes remarkable improvement is achieved with shunt surgery, the magnificent and instantaneous response demonstrated by Dr. Singer is not what we expect to see. Typically after shunt surgery, our patients experience gradual improvement over 6–9 months. As the shunt only treats hydrocephalus, if a patient has other disorders contributing to dementia, mobility impairment, or loss of bladder control, unfortunately, he or she will have only partial improvement with the shunt. We tell our patients, “We can make you better, but we can’t make you any younger.”
Izzie had the right idea, though - no Grey area about it. A patient who has a progressive course of gait or cognitive impairment deserves a complete medical workup to screen for a treatable disorder such as NPH.
To learn more about normal pressure hydrocephalus, visit the Adult Hydrocephalus Center or call 410-601-WELL.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Sinai Hospital Auxiliary Awards Grant to Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program
The Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program (CSCP) at LifeBridge Health has been awarded a $5,800 grant by the Sinai Hospital Auxiliary. Designed to diagnose and treat sports-related concussions with the most optimal treatment, the CSCP is a collaboration between LifeBridge Sports Medicine, the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute, and the Sinai Rehabilitation Center.
The CSCP will use the funds to support the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of concussions in student-athletes at schools in underserved communities that surround Sinai Hospital.
“We are honored to have received this award. It provides us an exciting opportunity to identify student-athletes in need of intervention, to promote their recovery and to help them keep pace in class while they are recovering from their concussive symptoms,” said Julie O’Reilly, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute. “It will also allow us to further promote concussion awareness and prevention.”
Through the “Keeping Our Most Vulnerable Kids Safe Program,” health professionals at the CSCP will administer Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) to student-athletes. ImPACT is a computer-based self-test that measures brain processing speed, memory and visual motor skills, all of which have been shown to be affected when a person sustains a concussion. In a two-phased model, student-athletes are tested at the beginning of their respective sports seasons to obtain baseline readings of their cognitive abilities. Then, should one of those tested sustain a concussion or suspected concussion during the season, he or she is tested again, and test scores are compared; a decline in scores suggests that the student-athlete has had a concussion and that medical intervention should be sought. Test scores are also used to aid in diagnosis and treatment and to determine the best course of action for the affected child. In addition to testing, grant funds will be used to educate parents and coaches about this very important topic.
“This program is based on realized deficiencies across the country for better education and clinical management of concussions and to accelerate recovery from injury so that children can return to school and to competitive sports quickly in a way that promotes their optimal health,” added Kevin Crutchfield, M.D., director of the Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program.
To learn more about the Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program at LifeBridge Health, call 410-601-WELL or click here.
The CSCP will use the funds to support the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of concussions in student-athletes at schools in underserved communities that surround Sinai Hospital.
“We are honored to have received this award. It provides us an exciting opportunity to identify student-athletes in need of intervention, to promote their recovery and to help them keep pace in class while they are recovering from their concussive symptoms,” said Julie O’Reilly, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute. “It will also allow us to further promote concussion awareness and prevention.”
Through the “Keeping Our Most Vulnerable Kids Safe Program,” health professionals at the CSCP will administer Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) to student-athletes. ImPACT is a computer-based self-test that measures brain processing speed, memory and visual motor skills, all of which have been shown to be affected when a person sustains a concussion. In a two-phased model, student-athletes are tested at the beginning of their respective sports seasons to obtain baseline readings of their cognitive abilities. Then, should one of those tested sustain a concussion or suspected concussion during the season, he or she is tested again, and test scores are compared; a decline in scores suggests that the student-athlete has had a concussion and that medical intervention should be sought. Test scores are also used to aid in diagnosis and treatment and to determine the best course of action for the affected child. In addition to testing, grant funds will be used to educate parents and coaches about this very important topic.
“This program is based on realized deficiencies across the country for better education and clinical management of concussions and to accelerate recovery from injury so that children can return to school and to competitive sports quickly in a way that promotes their optimal health,” added Kevin Crutchfield, M.D., director of the Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program.
To learn more about the Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program at LifeBridge Health, call 410-601-WELL or click here.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Kevin Crutchfield, M.D., Named to NFL Committee
Kevin Crutchfield, M.D., director of the Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute of LifeBridge Health, has been appointed to the National Football League Players Association Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Committee. The committee will meet on January 26 in Palm Beach, Florida, to discuss issues regarding the handling of concussions by the NFL.
The 15-member panel is composed of experts from differing backgrounds, including players and medical professionals. Members of prominence include post-concussion syndrome advocate and former WWE wrestler Chris Nowinski, and Mark Lovell, M.D., director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program.
The panel will look at how NFL research funds should be used to improve concussion and traumatic brain injury research. This committee will give the NFL Players Association a direct role in changing perceptions about the serious nature and long-term effects of concussions and mild brain injury.
Dr. Crutchfield has dedicated much of his professional career to the study and treatment of mild brain injury. Many types of mild brain injury, such as concussions, occur from a significant blow to the head, such as a helmet-to-helmet collision in football. Dr. Crutchfield has been a leader in the study of blood flow to the brain and the changes that occur after a concussion occurs.
“Dr. Crutchfield’s expertise and commitment to providing cutting-edge treatment to patients who suffer from concussions make him an ideal choice for this committee,” says Michael A. Williams, M.D., medical director of the Brain & Spine Institute. “As an industry leader, he will offer insights that could lead to lasting changes in the NFL’s policies dealing with concussions.”
Friday, January 8, 2010
Berman Brain & Spine Neurosurgeon Receives Honor
Richard North, M.D., a neurosurgeon at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute of LifeBridge Health, has received the North American Neuromodulation Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The society’s highest honor, this award is given only on an as-merited basis to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary achievement in the field of neuromodulation.
Neuromodulation is a therapy that relies on an implanted electrical stimulator or implanted drug-delivery system to treat pain and movement disorders. Neuromodulation is reversible and adjustable, and its therapeutic effect can be tested with a temporary electrode or catheter before a specialist decides to implant a device for chronic use. The most common form of neuromodulation is spinal cord stimulation to control chronic pain.
Dr. North has dedicated most of his professional career of nearly four decades to the study, innovation and clinical use of spinal cord stimulation. In addition to publishing extensively and speaking internationally on the topic, he conducts research in the field and holds numerous patents for neurostimulation devices.
“Dr. North’s commitment to excellence in the field of neuromodulation makes him an ideal recipient for the Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Neil Meltzer, president of Sinai. “He is a distinguished educator, administrator, researcher and clinician. As a national leader in neuromodulation for three decades, Dr. North has proven his expertise in the field.”
Dr. North became the director of Neuromodulation, Surgical Pain Management, and the Surgical Spine Pain Program at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute in 2007, following 25 years in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Michael A. Williams, M.D., medical director of the Brain & Spine Institute noted, “I am very proud that Dr. North has received this well-deserved award and that he continues to provide his expert care to patients from around the world at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute.”
For more information about the Berman Brain & Spine Institute, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Alzheimer Disease by Any Other Name
by Majid Fotuhi, M.D., Ph.D
Director, Center for Memory and Brain Health
Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
Most recent studies show that elderly people over the age of 80 often have mixed pathologies in their brains that account for their memory loss and confusion. Very few senior citizens have “pure Alzheimer disease,” and therefore, this diagnostic terminology should be used with caution. It now appears that vascular problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes can shrink the parts of the brain that control memory and can significantly affect at what age elderly people become demented. Those with better health (good diet, optimal fitness, low stress) may be able to postpone the cognitive decline that occurs late in life.
In a recent publication in Nature Review Neurology, my colleagues and I discuss our formulation of a new framework, called the dynamic polygon hypothesis, by which to think about memory loss and dementia with aging. They believe that a balance of positive and negative factors affect the brain throughout early life and midlife to determine the degree of cognitive agility and impairment in late life. These factors increase or decrease cerebral blood flow, inflammation, insulin-signaling components, size and frequency of strokes, and concentrations of growth factors, cortisol, and other hormones.
The realization that the size of our brains can be modulated throughout adult life brings hope to millions of baby boomers concerned about losing their memories with aging.
A full discussion of this topic was published in the December 2009 issue of Nature Reviews Neurology article, Changing perspectives regarding late-life dementia.
Click here for more information on the Center for Memory and Brain Health.
Director, Center for Memory and Brain Health
Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
Most recent studies show that elderly people over the age of 80 often have mixed pathologies in their brains that account for their memory loss and confusion. Very few senior citizens have “pure Alzheimer disease,” and therefore, this diagnostic terminology should be used with caution. It now appears that vascular problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes can shrink the parts of the brain that control memory and can significantly affect at what age elderly people become demented. Those with better health (good diet, optimal fitness, low stress) may be able to postpone the cognitive decline that occurs late in life.
In a recent publication in Nature Review Neurology, my colleagues and I discuss our formulation of a new framework, called the dynamic polygon hypothesis, by which to think about memory loss and dementia with aging. They believe that a balance of positive and negative factors affect the brain throughout early life and midlife to determine the degree of cognitive agility and impairment in late life. These factors increase or decrease cerebral blood flow, inflammation, insulin-signaling components, size and frequency of strokes, and concentrations of growth factors, cortisol, and other hormones.
The realization that the size of our brains can be modulated throughout adult life brings hope to millions of baby boomers concerned about losing their memories with aging.
A full discussion of this topic was published in the December 2009 issue of Nature Reviews Neurology article, Changing perspectives regarding late-life dementia.
Click here for more information on the Center for Memory and Brain Health.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Cellular Disconnect
by Zeena Dorai, M.D., FACS
Chief, Neurosurgery, Northwest Hospital; Director, Neuro-oncology, Sinai Hospital
Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
Results of a 30-year Scandinavian study bring hopeful news for avid cellphone users. Researchers found no increase in certain types of brain cancer (gliomas and meningiomas) among nearly 6 million men and women in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden between 1974 and 2003.
Reported in a brief communication to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute , these results seem to dampen the speculation that a link exists between cellphone use and brain tumors.
Although the study notes a gradual increase in the incidence of brain tumors over time, the authors speculate that the cause likely has multiple factors, and may simply reflect an increase in diagnoses due to advances in technology. The study further reports no change in incidence of brain tumors during the sharp increase in cellphone usage during the 1990s.
However, the authors do note that the results of a second study “leave open the possibility of a small to moderate increased risk for glioma among the heaviest users of mobile phones." Preliminary unpublished data from the INTERPHONE study, a 10-year case–control study of brain tumors conducted internationally by the World Health Organization, suggest that those who engage in extensive cellphone use do face a higher risk of developing brain tumors later in life. The lead investigator stated that the study report would include a “public health message.”
It is clear that these results are not without controversy, and the bottom line is that the long-term effects of radiation from cellphone use are not certain. Nevertheless, some simple steps and common-sense practices can be taken to minimize the risks of radiation from cellphones:
1. Limit cellphone use and use land lines whenever possible.
2. Limit use of Bluetooth devices, which emit low-level radiation even when not in use.
3. Use a wired hands-free device.
4. Avoid carrying cell phones on your body.
5. Do not keep mobile phones close to you while you are sleeping.
6. Limit children’s use of cellular phones.
Chief, Neurosurgery, Northwest Hospital; Director, Neuro-oncology, Sinai Hospital
Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
Results of a 30-year Scandinavian study bring hopeful news for avid cellphone users. Researchers found no increase in certain types of brain cancer (gliomas and meningiomas) among nearly 6 million men and women in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden between 1974 and 2003.
Reported in a brief communication to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute , these results seem to dampen the speculation that a link exists between cellphone use and brain tumors.
Although the study notes a gradual increase in the incidence of brain tumors over time, the authors speculate that the cause likely has multiple factors, and may simply reflect an increase in diagnoses due to advances in technology. The study further reports no change in incidence of brain tumors during the sharp increase in cellphone usage during the 1990s.
However, the authors do note that the results of a second study “leave open the possibility of a small to moderate increased risk for glioma among the heaviest users of mobile phones." Preliminary unpublished data from the INTERPHONE study, a 10-year case–control study of brain tumors conducted internationally by the World Health Organization, suggest that those who engage in extensive cellphone use do face a higher risk of developing brain tumors later in life. The lead investigator stated that the study report would include a “public health message.”
It is clear that these results are not without controversy, and the bottom line is that the long-term effects of radiation from cellphone use are not certain. Nevertheless, some simple steps and common-sense practices can be taken to minimize the risks of radiation from cellphones:
1. Limit cellphone use and use land lines whenever possible.
2. Limit use of Bluetooth devices, which emit low-level radiation even when not in use.
3. Use a wired hands-free device.
4. Avoid carrying cell phones on your body.
5. Do not keep mobile phones close to you while you are sleeping.
6. Limit children’s use of cellular phones.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Read about Stroke. Hear about Stroke. Know about Stroke
by Linda Pazdalski, B.S.N., R.N.
Stroke Program Coordinator, Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
You read it in any number of publications, hear it on any number of radio programs, and see it on any number of TV commercials almost daily…..Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US. STROKE IS THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE US. STROKE IS THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE US.
But…..are you able to recognize a stroke when it happens?
Stroke warning signs:
Use the mnemonic: F.A.S.T.
Face…….Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arm……..Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech…Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
Time……If someone you know has one or more of these signs, call 911 immediately.
The speed with which one who has sustained a stroke receives medical attention greatly influences the speed and quality of their rehabilitation and their return to normal activities. Regardless of type, all strokes can have a devastating impact on the survivors and on all of those who care for them.
Learn the signs. Use the mnemonic. Help someone survive and thrive.
For more information about stroke, visit the Power to End Stroke Web site or contact the American Heart Association, 1-800-AHA-USA-1 (1-800-242-8721). To learn more about stroke programs at LifeBridge Health, click here.
Stroke Program Coordinator, Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
You read it in any number of publications, hear it on any number of radio programs, and see it on any number of TV commercials almost daily…..Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US. STROKE IS THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE US. STROKE IS THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE US.
But…..are you able to recognize a stroke when it happens?
Stroke warning signs:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Use the mnemonic: F.A.S.T.
Face…….Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arm……..Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech…Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
Time……If someone you know has one or more of these signs, call 911 immediately.
The speed with which one who has sustained a stroke receives medical attention greatly influences the speed and quality of their rehabilitation and their return to normal activities. Regardless of type, all strokes can have a devastating impact on the survivors and on all of those who care for them.
Learn the signs. Use the mnemonic. Help someone survive and thrive.
For more information about stroke, visit the Power to End Stroke Web site or contact the American Heart Association, 1-800-AHA-USA-1 (1-800-242-8721). To learn more about stroke programs at LifeBridge Health, click here.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Guidance on Neuroenhancement Drugs
Neuroenhancement drugs are a hot topic these days, especially among students. The New Yorker looked at the issue in April, reporting that "white male undergraduates at highly competitive schools—especially in the Northeast—are the most frequent collegiate users of neuroenhancers." Now Michael A. Williams, M.D., FAAN, the medical director of the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute has co-authored a report titled "Responding to requests from adult patients for neuroenhancements," which was published in the September 23 online issue of Neurology.
The report provides guidelines for neurologists prescribing the drugs, which were originally created to help those with attention deficit disorder or memory problems from diseases like Alzheimer's. There is limited research on the safety and efficiency of the drugs in healthy adults.
To learn more about the institute, click here.
The report provides guidelines for neurologists prescribing the drugs, which were originally created to help those with attention deficit disorder or memory problems from diseases like Alzheimer's. There is limited research on the safety and efficiency of the drugs in healthy adults.
To learn more about the institute, click here.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Treatment of Tumors at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute
by James E. Conway, M.D.
Director, Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery, and Director, Skull Base Neurosurgery,
Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
Department of Neurosurgery, Sinai Hospital
The recent deaths of columnist Robert Novak and Senator Edward Kennedy from brain tumors have brought forth many questions about the disease. Both Mr. Novak and Senator Kennedy were diagnosed with primary, malignant, grade 4 gliomas in the summer of 2008.
Numerous types of tumors may affect the brain, including benign and malignant tumors such as gliomas, meningiomas, and metastatic tumors. While some tumors are not as aggressive, a primary malignant, grade 4 glioma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme, is generally very aggressive and usually fatal. Sometimes, patients with brain tumors appear asymptomatic until the tumor has reached a large size. Symptoms of brain tumor include headache, seizure, weakness, or difficulty in speaking. Generally, the presence of a brain tumor is diagnosed after a patient experiences symptoms, and it is confirmed by CT and MRI scans. Treatment options are very specialized and may involve biopsy, surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
Treatment of brain tumors at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute involves a team of clinical experts that includes neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Our interdisciplinary approach permits us to closely interact and focus on individual patients’ symptoms, treatments, and treatment responses to determine the best management for each patient, from diagnosis to treatment with advanced, cutting-edge therapies.
To learn more about treatment of brain tumors at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute, call 410-601-WELL.
Director, Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery, and Director, Skull Base Neurosurgery,
Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
Department of Neurosurgery, Sinai Hospital
The recent deaths of columnist Robert Novak and Senator Edward Kennedy from brain tumors have brought forth many questions about the disease. Both Mr. Novak and Senator Kennedy were diagnosed with primary, malignant, grade 4 gliomas in the summer of 2008.
Numerous types of tumors may affect the brain, including benign and malignant tumors such as gliomas, meningiomas, and metastatic tumors. While some tumors are not as aggressive, a primary malignant, grade 4 glioma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme, is generally very aggressive and usually fatal. Sometimes, patients with brain tumors appear asymptomatic until the tumor has reached a large size. Symptoms of brain tumor include headache, seizure, weakness, or difficulty in speaking. Generally, the presence of a brain tumor is diagnosed after a patient experiences symptoms, and it is confirmed by CT and MRI scans. Treatment options are very specialized and may involve biopsy, surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
Treatment of brain tumors at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute involves a team of clinical experts that includes neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Our interdisciplinary approach permits us to closely interact and focus on individual patients’ symptoms, treatments, and treatment responses to determine the best management for each patient, from diagnosis to treatment with advanced, cutting-edge therapies.
To learn more about treatment of brain tumors at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute, call 410-601-WELL.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Brain & Spine Institute hosts International Hydrocephalus Conference
In mid-September, many of the top hydrocephalus experts from around the world will converge at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at the Baltimore Inner Harbor for three back-to-back scientific conferences concerned with hydrocephalus, also known as water on the brain. Combined, they will provide an unprecedented view of the leading edge of research and treatment of hydrocephalus and related disorders. It’s a “can’t miss” event for those interested in this important topic.
The primary conference ― Hydrocephalus 2009, the official scientific and educational meeting of the International Society for Hydrocephalus and Cerebrospinal Fluid Disorders (ISHCSF) ― will be held September 16–19. More than 130 scientific abstracts will be presented by neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, medical physicists, engineers, and advocacy group leaders. Faculty and staff of the Adult Hydrocephalus Center at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute are playing a pivotal role as hosts for this conference.
A one-day neuropsychology pre-conference on September 16 will start the process of developing standards for neuropsychologic testing for clinical care and research in hydrocephalus for children and adults. Co-chairs are Cynthia Smith, PhD, Director of the Division of Neuropsychology at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute, and Per Hellstrom, MSc, from Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Göteborg, Sweden.
James P. “Pat” McAllister II, PhD, from the University of Utah will chair “Improving Outcomes in Hydrocephalus: Bridging the Gap Between Basic Science and Clinical Management” on September 14 and 15. This event is supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the Hydrocephalus Association, and STARS-kids.
To learn more or to register for the conference, click here.
The primary conference ― Hydrocephalus 2009, the official scientific and educational meeting of the International Society for Hydrocephalus and Cerebrospinal Fluid Disorders (ISHCSF) ― will be held September 16–19. More than 130 scientific abstracts will be presented by neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, medical physicists, engineers, and advocacy group leaders. Faculty and staff of the Adult Hydrocephalus Center at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute are playing a pivotal role as hosts for this conference.
A one-day neuropsychology pre-conference on September 16 will start the process of developing standards for neuropsychologic testing for clinical care and research in hydrocephalus for children and adults. Co-chairs are Cynthia Smith, PhD, Director of the Division of Neuropsychology at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute, and Per Hellstrom, MSc, from Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Göteborg, Sweden.
James P. “Pat” McAllister II, PhD, from the University of Utah will chair “Improving Outcomes in Hydrocephalus: Bridging the Gap Between Basic Science and Clinical Management” on September 14 and 15. This event is supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the Hydrocephalus Association, and STARS-kids.
To learn more or to register for the conference, click here.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Learn the Symptoms of Brain Injury
by Kevin E. Crutchfield, M.D, Director, Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program, The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
When your loved one is involved in athletics, it's important to recognize the symptoms of a concussion.
A concussion can cause a variety of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms that usually go away entirely within three weeks but may persist, or complications may occur. A concussion may cause moderate changes in a person’s thinking, emotional, or physical abilities.
Call 911 immediately if an athlete with a head injury:
Typical symptoms of a non-urgent brain injury that warrants evaluation by experts at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute:
TREATMENT
The evaluations conducted by the health care experts at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute may be brief screenings or more comprehensive studies to assess brain functions that are vulnerable after a mild brain injury, including mental processing speed, attention/concentration, and other executive functions (e.g., working memory, behavior regulation, task initiation, and planning and organization). The evaluators make appropriate referrals for patients to individually tailored partial or comprehensive treatment programs that promote healthy recovery (including after-injury plans for accommodations at home, school, or work).
The Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program at Brain & Spine Institute stands ready to provide your student-athlete with the attention, assessment, and care that he or she requires following such an injury.
Call us at 410-601-WELL and visit us at www.finallyanswers.com.
When your loved one is involved in athletics, it's important to recognize the symptoms of a concussion.
A concussion can cause a variety of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms that usually go away entirely within three weeks but may persist, or complications may occur. A concussion may cause moderate changes in a person’s thinking, emotional, or physical abilities.
Call 911 immediately if an athlete with a head injury:
- Cannot be awakened
- Has one pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other
- Has convulsions or seizures
- Has slurred speech
- Is getting increasingly confused, restless, or agitated
- Is weak on one side of the body
- Has persistent clumsiness
- Complains of excruciating headache
Typical symptoms of a non-urgent brain injury that warrants evaluation by experts at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute:
- Sleep disturbance
- Fatigue
- Headaches that get worse
- Short-term memory loss
- Loss of balance or dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Loss of sense of taste or smell
- Ringing in the ears
- Increased sensitivity to sound, light, distractions
- Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
- Reduced attention/concentration
- Difficulty organizing daily tasks
- Difficulty making decisions
- Anxiety/depression or mood changes
- Irritability
TREATMENT
The evaluations conducted by the health care experts at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute may be brief screenings or more comprehensive studies to assess brain functions that are vulnerable after a mild brain injury, including mental processing speed, attention/concentration, and other executive functions (e.g., working memory, behavior regulation, task initiation, and planning and organization). The evaluators make appropriate referrals for patients to individually tailored partial or comprehensive treatment programs that promote healthy recovery (including after-injury plans for accommodations at home, school, or work).
The Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program at Brain & Spine Institute stands ready to provide your student-athlete with the attention, assessment, and care that he or she requires following such an injury.
Call us at 410-601-WELL and visit us at www.finallyanswers.com.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sports-Related Concussions Pose Serious Risk
by Kevin E. Crutchfield, M.D., Director, Comprehensive Sports Concussion Program,
Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute
With the school sports season gearing up, remember that sports-related concussions are a risk for athletes.
Concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury, and repeated concussions can cause cumulative brain damage or severe complications, or second-impact syndrome. Someone who has sustained an initial brain injury and then sustains another before symptoms associated with the first have fully cleared is at risk for second-impact syndrome.
Concussion in school-aged athletes is an under-recognized health risk; those who experience concussion are at long-term risk of persistent health problems and diminished lifelong potential. Although 1 in 10 athletes reports suffering a concussion during the athletic season, we have no guidelines regarding when it is safe for the young athlete to return to competition. But hitting the field too early after an injury will place him or her at increased risk of permanent brain damage.
The severity of a concussive injury must be determined by an expert in the field of brain injury. At The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute, an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals provides the clinical evaluation, neurologic and neuropsychologic evaluations, neuroimaging tests such as CT and MRI, and excellent care necessary to evaluate, diagnose, and treat head injury.
Look for a future post to discuss the signs and symptoms of brain injury.
To learn more, call 410-601-WELL and visit us at www.finallyanswers.com.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Sinai Named One of U.S. News & World Report's 2009-2010 Best Hospitals
Sinai Hospital of Baltimore is ranked as one of the top hospitals in the country for neurology and neurosurgery, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2009-10 America’s Best Hospitals edition. Sinai ranked in the top 50 hospitals for the second time in this specialty, this year as number 38 in the nation.
Sinai’s Neurology and Neurosurgery departments are an integral part of the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute, a unique association of specialists in orthopedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and several other subspecialties, as well as in neurology and neurosurgery.
“It is an honor for Sinai to be recognized as one of the most prestigious medical centers in the country,” said Neil M. Meltzer, president and COO, Sinai Hospital. “A dedicated team of medical professionals treats patients at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute for diseases of and injuries to the brain, nervous system and spine.”
U.S. News & World Report started its annual listings to identify centers with the best levels of medical care. To be eligible for the ranking, a hospital must first belong to the Council of Teaching Hospitals, and be affiliated with a medical school or have a specified number of technology services.
The ranked specialties include cancer; diabetes and endocrine disorders; digestive disorders; geriatric care; gynecology; heart; neurology and neurosurgery; ophthalmology; and urology.
Hospitals in the U.S. News & World Report listing are ranked on factors including reputation among specialists, mortality rates and other medical data, most of which comes from an annual survey by the American Hospital Association.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
New Spinal Stenosis Treatment Offers Hope
Spinal stenosis is caused by narrowing in your spine that can put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. Symptoms include cramping, pain or numbness in your legs, back, neck, shoulders or arms, and a a loss of sensation in your extremities. It is most common in people over age 50.
The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute is proud to offer treatment options for those with spinal stenosis. John Brunson, M.D., a neurointerventional radiologist at Sinai Hospital, recently performed a minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) on a patient with central canal lumbar spinal stenosis. Severe lumbar spinal stenosis, which occurs in the lower back, can be crippling, and there are 1.5 million patients who are newly diagnosed each year
The MILD procedure involves a physician making a small incision and remove targeted portions of the bone. This minimally invasive procedure is an effective alternative to open surgical treatment, especially for elderly patients who may not otherwise be candidates for surgery. MILD has potentially fewer complications and a shorter recovery period. Dr. Brunson is one of only five local physicians performing the MILD procedure.
For more information about Dr. Brunson or the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute is proud to offer treatment options for those with spinal stenosis. John Brunson, M.D., a neurointerventional radiologist at Sinai Hospital, recently performed a minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) on a patient with central canal lumbar spinal stenosis. Severe lumbar spinal stenosis, which occurs in the lower back, can be crippling, and there are 1.5 million patients who are newly diagnosed each year
The MILD procedure involves a physician making a small incision and remove targeted portions of the bone. This minimally invasive procedure is an effective alternative to open surgical treatment, especially for elderly patients who may not otherwise be candidates for surgery. MILD has potentially fewer complications and a shorter recovery period. Dr. Brunson is one of only five local physicians performing the MILD procedure.
For more information about Dr. Brunson or the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
Monday, May 18, 2009
Bike Helmets Are a Must
It’s the time of year to jump back on the bike and enjoy the spring weather. But before you head for the Gwynn Falls Trail, remember your bike helmet.
Even experienced bike riders cannot always avoid collisions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year nearly 1,000 persons die from injuries caused by bicycle crashes, and 550,000 persons are treated in emergency departments for injuries related to bicycle riding. According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, bike helmets reduce the risk of head and brain injury by more than 80 percent.
In addition to wearing a helmet, it’s also important to learn the signs of a concussion if you or a loved one is involved in a collision or fall. These include:
• blurred vision
• headache
• lethargy
• signs of confusion
• unusual sleepiness
Learn more about brain injury and other services offered at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute at LifeBridge Health.
Even experienced bike riders cannot always avoid collisions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year nearly 1,000 persons die from injuries caused by bicycle crashes, and 550,000 persons are treated in emergency departments for injuries related to bicycle riding. According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, bike helmets reduce the risk of head and brain injury by more than 80 percent.
In addition to wearing a helmet, it’s also important to learn the signs of a concussion if you or a loved one is involved in a collision or fall. These include:
• blurred vision
• headache
• lethargy
• signs of confusion
• unusual sleepiness
Learn more about brain injury and other services offered at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute at LifeBridge Health.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Day of Hope Conference Addresses Epilepsy
By Faith Muigai, R.N., M.S.N.
Last week on the Tavis Smiley show, the musician Prince discussed struggling with epilepsy as a child. He’s not alone― roughly 200,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed each year, with the incidence highest in those under the age of 2 and over the age of 65. Epilepsy, characterized by seizures, can present challenges to patients, families, and caregivers.
The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain and Spine Institute recently partnered with the Epilepsy Foundation of the Chesapeake Region to organize a Day of Hope―a conference for those with epilepsy to learn about new developments, interact with others who share their condition, and become informed about available resources. Sponsorship and educational materials were provided by the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, pharmaceutical vendors, and manufacturers of medical devices.
Invited speakers addressed the causes and effects of epilepsy, new research and treatment options, resources regarding patient rights, and the psychosocial implications of living with the disorder. An epilepsy advocate shared his personal journey, challenges, and triumphs in his keynote address.
Patients, family members, and caregivers who attended the conference overwhelmingly expressed appreciation that the event was held and commented that having the opportunity to gather with others who share their experiences helped them to feel that “they are not alone in their battle.” With such positive feedback, the Institute and the Epilepsy Foundation anticipate making the Day of Hope an annual or bi-annual event.
Last week on the Tavis Smiley show, the musician Prince discussed struggling with epilepsy as a child. He’s not alone― roughly 200,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed each year, with the incidence highest in those under the age of 2 and over the age of 65. Epilepsy, characterized by seizures, can present challenges to patients, families, and caregivers.
The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain and Spine Institute recently partnered with the Epilepsy Foundation of the Chesapeake Region to organize a Day of Hope―a conference for those with epilepsy to learn about new developments, interact with others who share their condition, and become informed about available resources. Sponsorship and educational materials were provided by the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, pharmaceutical vendors, and manufacturers of medical devices.
Invited speakers addressed the causes and effects of epilepsy, new research and treatment options, resources regarding patient rights, and the psychosocial implications of living with the disorder. An epilepsy advocate shared his personal journey, challenges, and triumphs in his keynote address.
Patients, family members, and caregivers who attended the conference overwhelmingly expressed appreciation that the event was held and commented that having the opportunity to gather with others who share their experiences helped them to feel that “they are not alone in their battle.” With such positive feedback, the Institute and the Epilepsy Foundation anticipate making the Day of Hope an annual or bi-annual event.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)