West Orange, NJ. March 15, 2013. Kessler Foundation scientists and their colleagues will discuss their progress in rehabilitation research at the upcoming 65th Annual American Academy of Neurology Conference at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA, March 16 – 23.
A.M. Barrett, MD, director of Stroke Rehabilitation at Kessler Foundation will present on Pharmacologic Enhancement of Stroke Rehabilitation on Friday March 22, 2013 as part of a Specialty in Focus session on Neurorehabilitation Enhancement Techniques. This session addresses the contribution of brain stimulation, robotics, and circuitry-enhancing pharmacological agents to the understanding of basic brain mechanisms underlying motor recovery, language, attention, executive functioning, and social cognition. Dr. Barrett is chief of Neurorehabilitation Program Innovation at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and professor of physical medicine & rehabilitation at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School.
The four abstracts being presented address cognitive complications of multiple sclerosis and stroke:
Wed. March 20, 2012 7:30 am PST
[P04.034] Aerobic exercise increases hippocampal volume and improves memory in persons with multiple sclerosis: pilot findings from a randomized controlled trial*
Victoria Leavitt 1,2, Amanda Cohen 1, Amanda Farag 2, Christopher Cirnigliaro 3 , Nancy Chiaravalloti 1,2, James F. Sumowski 1,2, John DeLuca 1,2 1 Kessler Foundation; 2 UMDNJ; 3 James Peters VA Medical Center
*Semi-finalist for presentation at 'Neural Repair and Rehabilitation Highlights in the Field' on Thursday, March 21st, 6:30-7:30 pm.
Wed. March 20, 2012 7:30 am PST
[P04.109] Evidence for brain reserve and cognitive reserve in multiple sclerosis: lifetime maximal brain growth and early life cognitive leisure independently but differentially protect against disease-related cognitive decline (NIH grant R00HD060765).
James Sumowski 1,2, Maria Rocca 3, Victoria Leavitt 1,2, Gianna Carla Riccitelli 3, Giancarlo Comi 3, John DeLuca 1,2, Massimo Filippi 3 1 Kessler Foundation, 2 UMDNJ, 3 Milan, Italy
Mon., March 18, 2013 2:00 pm PST
[P01.005] A game of networks: examining effective connectivity during task-switching
National MS Society (# PP1364 to GW); NIDRR ARRT grant (H113P090009)
Abhijit Das, Glenn Wylie
Kessler Foundation, UMDNJ
Tues., March 19, 2013 2:00 pm PST
[P03.261] Classifying patients with spatial neglect by "aiming" versus "where" spatial bias may explain differential response to bromocriptine treatment
Amit Chaudhari 1, Priyanka Shah 2, Kelly Goedert 3, Uri Adler 1,4, A.M. Barrett 1,2,4 1 UMDNJ, 2 Kessler Foundation; 3 Seton Hall University, 4 Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
About Kessler Institute
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, a division of Select Medical, provides comprehensive care and specialized treatment to address the complex needs of individuals with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, amputation, neurological diseases, cardiac recovery and orthopedic/musculoskeletal conditions. Kessler is one of only eight federally designated Model Systems in the nation for the treatment and research of both traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Ranked as one of the top two rehabilitation hospitals in the nation and the best in the East by U.S. News & World Report, Kessler has three hospital campuses in West Orange, Saddle Brook and Chester, N.J., and more than 80 outpatient centers throughout the state.
About Kessler Foundation
Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility and long-term outcomes, including employment, for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand opportunities for employment for people with disabilities.
Contact: Carolann Murphy
973.324. 8382
CMurphy@KesslerFoundation.org