| UC Neuroscience Institute

Novel Treatments for Neuropsychiatric Conditions Are on the Horizon

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Photo of Henry Nasrallah, MD, by Keith Herrell / UC Academic Health Center Communications Services.

Henry Nasrallah, MD, stood facing participants in the Cincinnati Mood Disorders Consortium’s spring symposium and got their attention with his opening sentence: “I want you to take everything you know about depression and throw it out the window.”

Most Injuries Caused by Lapse in Common Sense, Intoxication

Friday, May 11, 2012

Photo of Norberto Andaluz, MD, by Cindy Starr / Mayfield Clinic.

What is the most common cause of an accidental injury? Lack of common sense. That’s the word of Norberto Andaluz, MD, Director of Neurotrauma at the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute. The neurosurgeon has operated on patients at UC Health’s University Hospital for any number of “goofy domestic accidents” that he says could have been prevented with a bit of common sense.

New on the Neuro Floor: One-Stop Recovery for Surgical Patients

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Ronald Warnick, MD, and University of Cincinnati Trustee Ginger Warner outside a new educational alcove that Mrs. Warner and her husband, David, helped to fund. Photo by Cindy Starr / Mayfield Clinic.

A new kind of safety net is arriving at UC Health’s University Hospital and the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute on May 1. It is patient-friendly, family-friendly and, for some, possibly life-saving as well. It has a fancy name -- “acuity-adjustable unit” – but its goals are fairly straightforward. Instead of moving a recovering patient from room to room, and from one clinical team to another, the unit adjusts a single room and clinical team to the individual needs of the patient.

Alzheimer’s Expert Sees Promise in Research Aimed at Underlying Pathologies

Friday, April 20, 2012

Brendan Kelley, MD, left, and William Thies, PhD, prior to Dr. Thies's guest lecture. Photo by Dan Davenport / UC Academic Health Center Communications Services.

What does Alzheimer’s disease have in common with cardiovascular disease? More than you might think, says William Thies, PhD, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Ginny's Story: Living with Glioblastoma

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Greg and Ginny during one of her chemotherapy treatments. Photo by Cindy Starr / Mayfield Clinic.

Greg tears up when he remembers one of his early visits to the UC Barrett Cancer Center with his wife, Ginny, newly diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in July 2008. “I remember being on the elevator that summer,” he says. “We were going to and from Cincinnati and West Chester every day for something. We were constantly going someplace to see a doctor. And on the elevator there was a young guy with his wife. I think he had a brain tumor. And I spoke to him, and he told me, ‘You’re on a journey, and it’s not going to be over today.’”

Dr. Mario Zuccarello is University Hospital’s MVP for 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012

Mario Zuccarello, MD, left, is presented with the Clinical MVP Award by Brian Gibler, MD, President and CEO of University Hospital. Photo by Cindy Starr / Mayfield Clinic.

Today is Doctors’ Day nationwide, and at UC Health’s University Hospital, cerebrovascular specialist Mario Zuccarello, MD, is being honored with the Clinical MVP Award. Brian Gibler, MD, President and CEO of University Hospital, surprised Dr. Zuccarello with a private announcement of the award last week at a routine 7 a.m. meeting.

Lacking a Michael J. Fox, Essential Tremor Advocates Tell Their Story

Friday, March 23, 2012

Essential Tremor Support Group leaders Norma Doherty, left, and Arelene Rosen.

Question: what progressive neurological condition causes a rhythmic trembling of the head, voice, legs or trunk; can be treated with medication or deep brain stimulation; has no definitive cure; and is eight times more common than Parkinson’s disease? If you’re stumped, you’re not alone. The condition just described is essential tremor.

When Studying Disease, Healthy Controls Are Also Needed

Friday, March 16, 2012

Above, fMRI activation of the blogger’s brain while making decisions about words and tones. At left a whole brain rendering, at right a coronal slice.

“Have we scanned your brain?”

Jerzy Szaflarski, MD, PhD, gave me his best smile. It was the smile of a leading medical researcher – 10 papers published last year alone – in need of “healthy controls” for a long and growing list of clinical trials at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine and the UC Neuroscience Institute, a multidisciplinary center within UC Health.

Michael J. Fox Foundation, Gardner Center See Promise in Landmark Biomarkers Study

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Mark Frasier, PhD, left, and Alberto Espay, MD, at a town hall-style meeting for members of the Parkinson's community. Photo by Cindy Starr / Mayfield Clinic.

A landmark study to find biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease was the subject of an animated discussion led by Mark Frasier, PhD, of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) and Alberto Espay, MD, of the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders last week at the Kingsgate Marriott. The meeting’s optimistic tone was underscored by Dr. Frasier, Vice President of Research Programs at MJFF, who said he believes that Parkinson’s biomarkers will indeed be found during the $45 million, five-year study.

Sunflower Bike Ride Roars Back!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Scene from a recent Sunflower Revolution ride. Photo for UCNI by Mark Bowen.

A group of 12 organizers met this week to begin planning the Sunflower Revolution IX Bike Ride, slated for Sept. 8, in Loveland, Ohio. Returning after a year’s hiatus, the ride will coincide and coordinate with the Sunflower Revolution IX Symposium, a free, educational event for people with Parkinson’s disease and their families and caregivers. Sunflower Revolution founder Kathy Krumme will co-chair the ride with her sister, Exercise Physiologist Sarah Krumme Stahr, MS.