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---------------------- Watch the Video: "A Vision for the Neurological Research Institute" ---------------------- News and Announcements Maletic-Savatic honored with McKnight Neuroscience of Brain Disorders Award Leading Neuroscientists to set five research objectives for treating Cerebral Palsy at collaborative workshop Texas Children's announces $50 million commitment to support research in Pediatric Neurology ---------------------- Make a Philanthropic Investment
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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
HOUSTON (Feb. 8, 2008) – Leading neuroscientists from the United States and Canada are gathering in Houston next week for an intensive two-day pediatric brain injury workshop designed to identify five research objectives for treating cerebral palsy that are the most innovative, fundable, scientifically sound and achievable within a reasonable time frame. This collaborative workshop, which brings together more than 17 of North America’s top scientists including neurologists, neuroscientists, geneticsts, and molecular biologists, is the first to be conducted by the recently-launched Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI) at Texas Children’s Hospital. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Children’s Neurobiological Solutions Foundation, a nonprofit research foundation focused on brain repair and regeneration. Co-chairing the workshop are NRI director Huda Zoghbi, M.D., professor of pediatrics, neuroscience, and molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, and Gary Clark, M.D., chief of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience at Texas Children’s Hospital. Conference participants include researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, Burnham Institute of Medical Research, (California); Duke University; Harvard University; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center; McGill University/Montreal Children’s Hospital (Canada); New York Medical College; Northwestern University/Evanston Northwestern Healthcare; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; University of Colorado, Denver; University of Rochester School of Medicine; University of Florida; University of California, San Francisco; University of Alabama at Birmingham; and Yale University School of Medicine. Although the NRI is under construction, its mission to accelerate pediatric neurological research through the collaboration of scientists across disciplines is well underway, as evidenced by this first multidisciplinary conference. “This workshop embodies the type of information sharing and collective problem-solving that will accelerate new treatments for brain injuries like cerebral palsy,” said Dr. Zoghbi. “While our new research center will be specially designed to foster collaborative research, we can’t wait for the door to open. We must come together now to capitalize on our collective knowledge and to plan coordinated efforts so that the benefits of research could reach children sooner rather than later.” According to the United Cerebral Palsy Association, more than 500,000 Americans have cerebral palsy and over 4,500 American babies are diagnosed annually with this chronic condition, which affects the brain's ability to adequately control movement and posture. Texas Children’s Hospital Board Member Anthony Petrello, the parent of a child with cerebral palsy and a major donor to the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological institute, says that traditional research approaches to neurological disorders has been slow and fragmented. “With workshops like this one, Texas Children’s is leading the way to a better research model,” he said. “By engaging the best scientific minds to collectively and intensively focus on new treatments for cerebral palsy, advances can be possible within a short time. As a parent, that is the type of progress that gives you hope.” About the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital Recognizing there was no single institution using multidisciplinary research to guide the study of pediatric cognitive development and neurological disorders, Texas Children’s Hospital created the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute. Scheduled to open in 2010, the institute will be the first dedicated facility to use a multidisciplinary research approach to rapidly accelerate the search for treatments for pediatric neurological disorders. The specially-designed facility will be the crossroads where more than 170 researchers (over 15 principal investigators and their teams) across disciplines collaborate to bring promising new therapies to those afflicted with neurological diseases. About
Texas Children’s Hospital For medical inquiries: contact Blue Bird Clinic for Pediatric Neurology at 832-822-5046 To learn more about donating: contact the Office of Development at 832-824-2719
© 2009 Texas Children's Hospital |
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