Illinois Medicine

I L L I N O I S M E D I C I N E | 19 human brain disorders into patient treatments. For example, Michael Carrithers, MD, PhD, and Charles Abrams, MD, PhD, are tackling treatment advances for multiple sclerosis and nerve and muscle diseases. "We also have a drug in development that we're hoping can slow neurode- generation in ALS," says Loeb. "Fei Song (MD, PhD) is conduct- ing tests in animal models, and we're hoping to take the drug to clinical trials." For patients afflicted with brain tumors, the University of Illinois Brain Tumor Center, headed by Kelly Nicholas, MD, PhD, offers treatment that may not be available to patients anywhere else. "Every patient deserves to be in a clinical trial," says Loeb. "Our drug studies are UIC-specific and are coupled with the highest level of and most compassionate patient care." In addition to research and treatment, the neurology department is also working to help patients better understand and monitor diseases, such as epilepsy, through education. Loeb and his colleagues, such as Dilip Pandey, MD, PhD, have pioneered a self- management education program called Personalized Internet-Assisted Underserved Self-management of Epilepsy (PAUSE to Learn About Your Epilepsy). "Epilepsy is a very complex disease, and some of the roadblocks for patients of different socio-educational backgrounds are lack of accessi- bility to care and information overload," says Loeb. "Through a CDC- funded grant, we are able to send computer tablets home with patients so they can review information on managing their epilepsy at their own pace, even if they don't have Internet access." PAUSE is customized in an office visit for each patient's learning needs. Tablets also have a real-time video conferencing capability with an educator to help patients reduce emergency room visits. "The University of Illinois is the go-to place for patients with complex brain disorders," says Loeb. "We are making discoveries we didn't dream of because we're able to generate and test new hypotheses here, most of which come from our clinical programs, which are second to none." Neurosurgery: A data-driven approach to care AS AN IMPORTANT THER APEUTIC ARM of the neurosciences, Illinois Medicine's internationally known department of neurosurgery provides state-of-the-art technology to patients with acute and severe emergencies such as strokes, aneurysms, brain tumors and head injuries, as well as those suffering from degenerative spinal disease and chronic pain. "We are one of very few centers in the world that is capable of per- forming certain therapies related to diseases of the blood vessels, such as aneurysms and vascular malformation of the brain," says Fady Charbel, MD, department head and the Dr. Richard L. Fruin and Gertrude W. Fruin Professor of Neurosurgery. For example, Charbel collaborated with the university's engineer- ing department to develop the Noninvasive Optimal Vascular Analysis (NOVA), a software program that quantitatively measures blood flow to the brain using standard MRI equipment without any contrast. In a landmark, eight-year, National Institutes of Health- funded, multi-site study called Veritas, for which the COM served as the lead site, NOVA was used to determine which patients are at risk for recurrent stroke in the vertebrobasilar system, which supports the critical functions of the brain stem and cerebellum. "Prior to Veritas, treatment was determined by a picture of a nar- rowed blood vessel," says Charbel. "Using NOVA, we are able to determine which patients need treatment. Patients who had low blood flow accord- ing to our algorithm had 5.5 times the risk of stroke. We were able to develop precise therapies to suit patient needs." To measure blood flow during surgery, Charbel also has developed Flow Assisted Surgical Technol- ogy, a probe that is now part of the lexicon of neurosurgery around the world. Next, the depart- ment is looking to apply the data from Veritas to new therapeutic devices. "We are working to launch a new clinical trial where we will do everything inside the MRI, treating patients just enough to optimize the blood flow," says Charbel. One faculty member actively involved in those clinical trials is Sepideh "The University of Illinois is the go-to place for patients with complex brain disorders. We are making discoveries we didn't dream of because we're able to generate and test new hypotheses here, most of which come from our clinical programs, which are second to none." — Jeffrey Loeb, John S. Garvin Endowed Chair and head of neurology and rehabilitation ""We are one of very few centers in the world that is capable of performing certain therapies related to diseases of the blood vessels, such as aneurysms and vascular malformation of the brain." — Fady Charbel, department head and the Dr. Richard L. Fruin and Gertrude W. Fruin Professor of Neurosurgery

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