]> Subscribe to the latest newsworthy research about Parkinson's Disease as soon as it is published in <em>Neurology</em>^&reg;, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. <em>Neurology</em> is the world's most widely read and highly cited peer-reviewed neurology journal. http://www.aan.com/rss/?event=feed&channel=12 en ababb@aan.com kwiersma@aan.com Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:30:38 GMT Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:02:25 GMT AXON RSS Extension http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss ababb@aan.com Channel Feedback http://www.aan.com/rss/?event=feed&channel=12 http://www.aan.com/rss/images/channels/channel_12_s.jpg 144 144 Subscribe to the latest newsworthy research about Parkinson's Disease as soon as it is published in <em>Neurology</em>^&reg;, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. <em>Neurology</em> is the world's most widely read and highly cited peer-reviewed neurology journal. false 1 http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_69.pdf FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: Angela Babb, (651) 695-2789, ababb@aan.com Rachel Seroka, (651) 695-2738, rseroka@aan.com AAN Foundation and The Parkinson's Disease Foundation Honor Chicago Researcher for Parkinson's Research ST. PAUL, Minn. - The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Foundation and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) awarded the 2008 Parkinson's Disease Foundation/AAN Foundation Clinician-Scientist Development Award to Aleksandar Videnovic, MD, MSc, an assistant professor at Northwestern University in Chicago, for his research into sleep disorders in Parkinson's patients. The three-year award which provides an annual salary of $75,000 was formally presented during the American Academy of Neurology's 60th Annual Meeting in Chicago, held April 12-19, 2008. The Parkinson's Disease Foundation/AAN Foundation Clinician Scientist Development Award is designed to encourage Parkinson's drug discovery and development of therapies that will treat Parkinson's disease. Videnovic was awarded the prize based on his study titled "Circadian Rhythm and Sleep/Wake Cycle in Parkinson's Disease Patients with Excessive Daytime Somnolence." "Disturbed circadian rhythms are a known cause of sleep dysfunction in the general population, but have not been systematically studied in Parkinson's disease," said Videnovic. "We may gain novel insights into the pathophysiology of sleep dysfunction and define a role for chronobiologic treatment strategies for the management of sleep dysfunction in Parkinson's," explained Videnovic. "Such strategies are highly desirable since available pharmacological interventions have been of modest benefit, and may cause unacceptable side effects." The award also provides $10,000 towards institutional education. The American Academy of Neurology Foundation works with the American Academy of Neurology to support research for the prevention, treatment and cure of neurologic disorders. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke. For more information, visit www.aan.com. The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) is a leading national presence in Parkinson's disease research, education and public advocacy. PDF is working for the nearly one million people in the US living with Parkinson's by funding promising scientific research and supporting people with Parkinson's, their families and caregivers through education programs and support services. Since its founding in 1957, PDF has funded over $70 million worth of scientific research in Parkinson's disease, supporting the work of leading scientists throughout the world. For more information, visit www.pdf.org. http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_69.pdf ababb@aan.com Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:10:16 GMT 1 http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_94.pdf Media Contacts: Angela Babb, ababb@aan.com, (651) 695-2789 Rachel Seroka, rseroka@aan.com, (651) 695-2738 AAN Launches New Book Series to Help Patients and Caregivers ST. PAUL, Minn. - Following up on the success of Neurology Now&reg;, the free and award-winning patient and caregiver magazine of the American Academy of Neurology, the Academy has announced plans to launch a new series of books for neurology patients and caregivers in 2009 to be called Neurology Now Books&trade;. The Academy has expanded its publishing division, AAN Press, to publish this new book series. Titles planned to publish in the Neurology Now Books&trade; series include coping with multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and taste and smell disorders in the first year. A fourth publication is also planned for late next year. "With one in six people now affected by a neurologic disorder, there's tremendous demand for the latest information on how to best meet the needs of this fast-growing population of patients and caregivers. Neurology Now Books&trade; will fulfill this growing demand," said Lisa M. Shulman, MD, Editor of Neurology Now Books&trade;, and a neurologist with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. "With the experience the Academy has had in publishing Neurology Now&reg; magazine, it's sought to advance patient care and has developed an appreciation for the needs and concerns of neurology patients and caregivers. Neurology Now Books&trade; will continue to further our mission of improving patient care and public understanding of disorders of the brain and nervous system," said Shulman. Each issue of Neurology Now&reg; magazine reaches nearly one million readers. It is the only consumer magazine in the country devoted to the management of the range of neurologic disorders. The magazine offers information on treatment and cutting-edge research for such neurologic disorders as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, migraine, Parkinson's disease and more. For information on receiving a free subscription to Neurology Now&reg; magazine, visit www.neurologynow.com. AAN Press through Demos Medical Publishing published an earlier series of books for neurology patients and caregivers that will continue to be available for purchase via the AAN Store&trade;. Other AAN Press publications are Neurology&reg;, the most widely read and highly cited peer-reviewed neurology journal, Neurology Now&reg; magazine, and Neurology Today&reg;. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com. http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_94.pdf ababb@aan.com Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:04:51 GMT 1 http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1833.pdf A new study shows that antidepressant drugs which only affect serotonin, often used as first choice treatments, may not be best for depression in people with Parkinson's disease. The new research is published in the December 17, 2008, online issue of Neurology&reg;, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Depression affects up to 50 percent of people with Parkinson's disease. The study is the first to compare an older antidepressant that targets two receptors in the brain with a newer generation serotonin only-based drug and placebo. It is also the largest placebo-controlled study for Parkinson's disease depression. In the study, scientists gave 52 people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and depression either nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), paroxetine CR, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or a placebo pill. Tricyclics affect both norepinephrine and serotonin, two different receptors in the brain. The people were tested for improvement of depression symptoms at two, four and eight weeks after starting treatment. The study found that the people who took nortriptyline were nearly five times more likely to see improvement in depression symptoms when compared with the people who took paroxetine CR. "I think that this study shows a number of important things. First, that people with Parkinson's disease can respond to antidepressants. This is important because depression in Parkinson's disease is underrecognized, underappreciated and undertreated. Commonly, the attitude is, of course you're depressed, you have a serious illness. This study shows that patients should have hope that they can be helped," said study author Matthew Menza, MD, a Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology with UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, NJ. "Second, the study suggests that we may need to use medications that affect both serotonin and norepinephrine, not just serotonin, in the brain to be successful in treating depression related to Parkinson's disease." Menza also says that in addition to the older antidepressant, nortriptyline, that was tested in the study, there are newer mediations that affect both serotonin and norepinephrinem, and these need to be tested. Tricyclic antidepressants are one of the older classes of antidepressants and have been used since the 1950s. Tricyclics have an increased risk of overdose and death due to toxic effects on the heart and brain. "People on a tricyclic antidepressant should have their dosages monitored closely by their doctor," said Menza. The study was supported by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com. http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1833.pdf ababb@aan.com Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:00:00 GMT 1 http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1834.pdf People with a sleep disorder that causes them to kick or cry out during their sleep may be at greater risk of developing dementia or Parkinson's disease, according to a study published in the December 24, 2008, online issue of Neurology&reg;, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The sleep disorder is called REM sleep behavior disorder. People with the disorder do not have the normal lack of muscle tone that occurs during REM sleep, often known as the dream stage of sleep. Instead, they have excessive muscle activity such as punching, kicking, or crying out, essentially acting out their dreams. The study involved 93 people with this type of sleep disorder who had no signs of a neurodegenerative disease, such as dementia or Parkinson's disease. The participants were followed for an average of five years. During that time, 26 of the people developed a neurodegenerative disease. Fourteen developed Parkinson's disease, 11 developed dementia and were diagnosed with either Alzheimer's disease or Lewy body dementia. One person developed multiple system atrophy, a rare disorder that affects movement, blood pressure and other body functions. The estimated five-year risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease was 18 percent, with the 10-year risk at 41 percent and the 12-year risk at 52 percent. "These results are obviously of great interest to people who have this sleep disorder and their physicians and families," said study author Ronald B. Postuma, MD of McGill University in Montreal, Canada, who carried out the studies at the sleep disorders center at the Sacre Coeur hospital, University of Montreal. Postuma is also a member of the American Academy of Neurology. "The results may help us better understand how these neurodegenerative diseases develop. They also suggest that there may be an opportunity for protecting against the progression to disease, perhaps even preventing it before the symptoms can appear." Postuma noted that the study involved only people with no known cause for the REM sleep behavior disorder. The disorder can also be caused by narcolepsy or rare brainstem abnormalities. REM sleep disorder from these causes does not necessarily carry the risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease, he said. The study was supported by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the FRSQ (Fonds de la recherché en santé du Quebec) in Montreal, Canada. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Parkinson's disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), dementia, West Nile virus, and ataxia. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com. http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1834.pdf ababb@aan.com Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:00:00 GMT 1 http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1856.pdf People with a family history of melanoma may have a greater risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 61st Annual Meeting in Seattle, April 25 to May 2, 2009. The study involved nearly 157,000 people who did not have Parkinson's disease. They were asked if their parents or siblings had been diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Researchers then traced their progress for a period of 14 to 20 years. During that time, 616 of the people were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Researchers found that people with a reported family history of melanoma were nearly twice as likely to develop Parkinson's as people with no family history. "The results from this study suggest that melanoma and Parkinson's could share common genetic components," said study author Xiang Gao, MD, PhD, of the Harvard University School of Public Health in Boston, MA. "More research needs to be done to examine the relationship between these two diseases." Other studies have shown that people with Parkinson's disease have a greater risk of developing melanoma. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Parkinson Study Group. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Parkinson Study Group. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, restless legs syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, narcolepsy, and stroke. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com. The AAN 61st Annual Meeting, the world's largest gathering of neurology professionals, takes place April 25 to May 2, 2009, in Seattle. Visit www.aan.com/am for more information. Study authors are available for interviews. Please contact Jenine Anderson, janderson@aan.com or Jay Mac Bride, jmacbride@aan.com. To access 2009 AAN Annual Meeting abstracts available February 25, 2009, visit http://www.aan.com/go/science/abstracts. Late-breaking abstracts will be featured in press release at the 2009 AAN Annual Meeting in Seattle. http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1856.pdf ababb@aan.com Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:00:00 GMT 1 http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1864.pdf A large new study provides evidence that longer exposure to the body's own hormones may protect women from Parkinson's disease. The study was released today and will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 61st Annual Meeting in Seattle, April 25 to May 2, 2009. The study found that women who have more years of fertile lifespan (number of years from first menstruation to menopause) had a lower risk of developing the disease than women with fewer years of fertile lifespan. The fertile lifespan is a marker for the body's own sex hormone levels. In addition, women with four or more pregnancies were at greater risk of developing the disease than women with fewer pregnancies. Separately, the risk of Parkinson's disease was increased in women who had hysterectomies and had also previously taken hormone replacement therapy compared to those who never took hormone therapy, but it was not increased in women who took the hormones but had not had hysterectomies. "These findings suggest that longer duration of exposure to the body's own (endogenous) hormones may help protect the brain cells that are affected by Parkinson's disease. Further investigation is necessary to explain why women with four or more pregnancies are at increased risk compared with those with fewer pregnancies. This study does not support a role for treatment with hormone therapy in Parkinson's, but there are still many unanswered questions," said study author Rachel Saunders-Pullman, MD, MPH, MS, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY, and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, NY, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. For the study, researchers analyzed the records of the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study to determine who developed Parkinson's disease. The study involved about 74,000 women who underwent natural menopause and about 7,800 women who underwent surgical menopause. Among women with natural menopause, those who had a fertile lifespan of more than 39 years, which is a time associated with higher levels of the body's own sex hormones, had about a 25-percent lower risk of developing the disease than women with a fertile lifespan shorter than 33 years. Researchers also looked at the number of pregnancies, and women who had four or more pregnancies were about 20 percent more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than women who had three or fewer pregnancies. Women who had menopause from surgery had almost twice the risk of developing the disease if they had previously taken hormone therapy and stopped than if they had never taken hormone therapy. Taking hormones did not have any effect on Parkinson's risk for women who had natural menopause. Because Parkinson's disease is more common in men than in women, researchers have long hypothesized about the role of hormones in the disease. The study was supported by the Thomas Hartman Foundation for Parkinson's Research and the National Institutes of Health. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, restless legs syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, narcolepsy, and stroke. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com. The AAN 61st Annual Meeting, the world's largest gathering of neurology professionals, takes place April 25 to May 2, 2009, in Seattle. Visit www.aan.com/am for more information. Study authors are available for interviews. Please contact Jenine Anderson, janderson@aan.com or Jay Mac Bride, jmacbride@aan.com. To access 2009 AAN Annual Meeting abstracts available February 25, 2009, visit http://www.aan.com/go/science/abstracts. Late-breaking abstracts will be featured in press release at the 2009 AAN Annual Meeting in Seattle. http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1864.pdf ababb@aan.com Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:00:00 GMT 1 http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1908.pdf Hollywood actress Holly Robinson Peete is the spokesperson for the AAN's first patient education video, which focuses on Parkinson's disease. The video, Parkinson's Disease: A Guide for Patients Families, was distributed at the Annual Meeting in Seattle to members to share with patients in their practices. The video is a guide for patients who are newly diagnosed and for their families to help them understand the symptoms and treatments of the disease, as well as empower them to make decisions about their care. The video comes as a bundled DVD with guidebook and provides a list of resources for patients and their families. In addition to Robinson Peete, the video features three Academy members: former AAN President Stanley Fahn, MD, FAAN , J. William Langston, MD, and Kathleen M. Shannon, MD. "We're very excited to bring this engaging type of format to patients," said Fahn, who also served as a consultant on the video's production. "Often patients and their loved ones can be overwhelmed by a diagnosis. Written materials are effective in detailing information, but the DVD can inform families in a more approachable manner and help them feel more comfortable in learning about the disease." The DVD covers topics including when to see a neurologist, what types of medications can be prescribed, an overview of deep brain stimulation treatment, and tips for living daily with Parkinson's. The video also features a segment aimed at caregivers. "Perhaps the key to the whole puzzle of living with Parkinson's lies in one's support structure," said Fahn. "Without family, friends, or other caregivers, the disease is arguably much more difficult to manage. It was essential for us to focus on the 'whole picture' when it comes to adapting to the disease's progression-including caregivers was an easy decision." Robinson Peete, who is accustomed to the power of television, appeared in the cast of 21 Jump Street and Hangin' With Mister Cooper. She followed in the footsteps of her father Matt Robinson, whose most recognizable TV role was that of the original Gordon character on Sesame Street. Robinson's career as an advocate for Parkinson's patients began after her father was diagnosed with the disease in the 1980s, cutting short his career in television. He died from complications in 2002. Robinson Peete remains active in her advocacy efforts through a private foundation and as an author. ? Parkinson's Video Airs Locally In addition to being available to members, the video will air in several local markets. Dates and airtimes are subject to change. Check your local listings for details. -Miami - WTVJ, Channel 6 (NBC) at 2:00 p.m., June 13 -St. Louis - KDNL, Channel 30 (ABC) at 11:00 a.m., June 14 -Washington, DC - WJLA, Channel 7 (ABC) at 11:30 a.m., June 20 -Atlanta - WGCL , Channel 46 (CBS) at 12:30 p.m., June 21 -San Francisco - KPIX , Channel 5 (CBS) at 11:30 a.m., June 27 The American Academy of Neurology Foundation helps people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, autism, headache, stroke, and hundreds of other neurologic disorders. Visit www.thebrainmatters.org to learn more about patient education materials available in a range of neurologic disorders. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, restless legs syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, narcolepsy, and stroke. For more information, visit www.aan.com. http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1908.pdf ababb@aan.com Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:59:56 GMT 1 http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1948.pdf The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) are requesting neurologists to report any possible new cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination using the CDC and U. S. Food and Drug Administration Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). It is not anticipated that the 2009 H1N1 vaccine will have an increased risk of GBS. However, out of an abundance of caution, and given that GBS may be of greater concern with any pandemic vaccine because of the association of GBS with the 1976 swine flu vaccine, the CDC and AAN are asking neurologists to report any potential new cases of GBS after-vaccination as part of the CDC's national vaccine safety monitoring campaign. The Academy plans to reach neurologists and other health care professionals to encourage reporting cases of GBS following vaccination. "The active participation of neurologists is going to be critical for monitoring for any possible increase in GBS following 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccination," said Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN, who is leading the AAN effort. Resource materials, including upcoming webinars, will be available on AAN.com. All neurologists nationwide who encounter patients with adverse events post-vaccination should use the CDC and FDA Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to report their observations. Information on VAERS and case report forms will be available on AAN.com and at the VAERS website at http://vaers.hhs.gov. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is currently in production. Vaccination among high-risk groups - including infants, children, and young adults ages six months through 24 years, pregnant women, adults 25 and older with underlying health conditions, and health care workers - will begin this fall and will continue through the flu season. Neurologists are doctors who specialize in treating neurologic disorders such as GBS, a rare disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system, causing tingling and weakness in the arms and legs. Most GBS cases are treatable, but a few can be fatal. For more information on GBS, visit the AAN's website for the public at http://www.thebrainmatters.org. For more information on the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, visit the CDC's website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu. In addition, the AAN guidelines regarding the treatment of GBS can be found at http://www.aan.com/practice/guideline/. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as epilepsy, dystonia, migraine, Huntington's disease, and dementia. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or http://www.thebrainmatters.org. http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1948.pdf ababb@aan.com Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:34:42 GMT 1 http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1960.pdf Drivers with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease may be at higher risk of crashes on foggy days and other times of low visibility. The research, involving a driving simulation test, is published in the October 6, 2009, print issue of Neurology&reg;, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. In addition to affecting movement, Parkinson's disease affects visual skills, such as the ability to see contrast, and the speed of processing what is seen. The study involved a driving simulation test taken by 67 people with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease and 51 healthy people about the same age. First they drove in good conditions, with clear skies. Then they drove in a foggy, low visibility situation, leading up to an intersection where another vehicle posed a crash risk. More people with Parkinson's disease were unable to avoid the crash-76 percent versus 37 percent. Their reaction time was also longer-2.7 seconds compared to 2.1 seconds. For those who crashed, those with Parkinson's were driving at an average speed of 49 mph at the time of the crash, compared to 39 mph for those who did not have Parkinson's. "Our results suggest that a large proportion of drivers with Parkinson's disease may be at risk for unsafe driving in low visibility situations such as fog or twilight," said study author Ergun Uc, MD, of the University of Iowa in Iowa City and Veterans Affairs Medical Center of Iowa City, who is a member of the American Academy of Neurology. Those with Parkinson's also had more instances where the car's wheels crossed over the center line or the shoulder line than people who did not have Parkinson's, and their performance worsened with the change from good to poor driving conditions. Among those with Parkinson's disease, those who performed the worst on the driving test were those who had the lowest scores on tests of visual processing speed, motion perception, sensitivity to visual contrast and speed of movement. The study was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute on Aging. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Parkinson's disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), dementia, West Nile virus, and ataxia. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or http://www.thebrainmatters.org. http://www.aan.com/rss/index.cfm/getfile/AAN_1960.pdf ababb@aan.com Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:00:00 GMT