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Academy Sends Congress a Solution to Fix Broken Physician Payment System

ababb@aan.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:00:00 GMT

The American Academy of Neurology Professional Association has sent a letter to Congress offering a solution to fix the way physicians are reimbursed under Medicare for treating patients with severe or disabling chronic conditions, such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, ALS, epilepsy and stroke. Several other physician and patient groups have signed onto the letter. "Congress must take action now to fix this broken physician payment system," said Robert C. Griggs, MD, FAAN, President of the Academy. "Without fair reimbursement, we'll likely face a shortage of neurologists through fewer medical students entering neurology at a time when one out of six people are affected by neurologic disease; and that number is expected to increase as baby boomers age." The letter, addressed to Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, and sent to several other high-ranking Congressional leaders, called for Congress to modify Medicare's physician payment formula to encourage higher quality, lower cost care for Medicare beneficiaries with severe or disabling chronic conditions. The proposal calls for the institution of a bonus payment over the fee schedule amount for evaluation and management (E/M) services provided to patients suffering from the chronic conditions identified by the Medicare Special Needs Plan Chronic Condition Panel (SNCCP). The bonus payment would be in effect for a period of three to five years as a temporary solution until further analyses of comprehensive alternatives to the payment system are completed and new payment models are implemented. By using a patient-centered approach to determine eligibility, all physicians treating patients with these chronic conditions would be rewarded for the provision of focused, ongoing care. "Adoption of this bonus payment would reward time spent with patients instead of strictly procedure-based care," Griggs said. "This shift will begin to realign incentives to enhance patient access, improve quality, and immediately lower costs." Several physician and patient groups signed onto the letter written by the Academy, including the Epilepsy Foundation, the ALS Association, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Parkinson's Action Network, the American College of Rheumatology, the American Society of Hematology and the American Gastroenterological Association. The American Academy of Neurology Professional Association is a sister organization of the American Academy of Neurology, focusing on advocacy. 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 www.aan.com or www.TheBrainMatters.org.

AAN Collaborates with CDC on H1N1 Vaccine Safety Monitoring

ababb@aan.com — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:34:42 GMT

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.

Guideline: Kids with Small Head Size at Risk of Neurologic Problems, Screening Needed

ababb@aan.com — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT

A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology, developed in full collaboration with the Child Neurology Society, finds that children with microcephaly-that is, children whose head size is smaller than that of 97 percent of children-are at risk of neurologic and cognitive problems and should be screened for these problems. The guideline is published in the September 15, 2009, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Microcephaly is common, affecting more than 25,000 infants in the United States each year. If it is not present at birth, it usually has developed by the time a child is two years old. While microcephaly is not a disease, it is an important sign that may point to other conditions. "The evidence suggests that children with microcephaly are more likely to have certain neurologic conditions, such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy, as well as mental retardation and eye and ear disorders," said lead guideline author Stephen Ashwal, MD, a child neurologist at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, California, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. "In fact, the evidence shows that children with microcephaly are at risk for developmental delay and learning disorders. For these reasons, it is necessary for doctors to recognize microcephaly and check the child for these associated problems, which often require special treatments. This is an important recommendation, as it allows doctors to provide more accurate advice and counseling to families who have a child with microcephaly." Doctors may also consider screening for coexisting conditions, such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy. "Forty percent of children with microcephaly also have epilepsy, 20 percent also have cerebral palsy, 50 percent also have mental retardation, and 20 to 50 percent also have eye and ear problems," said Ashwal. Brain scans such as an MRI or CT scan as well as genetic testing may be useful in identifying the causes of microcephaly. Ashwal says even if a small head size runs in families, it is still important to see a doctor due to the risk of other conditions. He points out that it is also important to tell the doctor about any family history of neurologic disease. "It should be noted though, that some children with small head size have normal development and do not develop any related conditions or problems," Ashwal said. The American Academy of Neurology has posted a video demonstrating how a doctor measures a child's head circumference for microcephaly. To view the video, visit the AAN's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AANChannel. 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 www.aan.com or www.thebrainmatters.org.

Call for Entries: Apply Now for the AAN Journalism Fellowship Award

ababb@aan.com — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:48:47 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: Rachel Seroka, rseroka@aan.com, (651) 695-2738 Angela Babb, ababb@aan.com, (651) 695-2789 Call for Entries: Apply Now for the AAN Journalism Fellowship Award Application Deadline: January 8, 2010 Winner to Attend 2010 AAN Annual Meeting in Toronto ST. PAUL, Minn. - The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is seeking journalists who exemplify excellence in medical, health and science reporting to apply for the 13th annual AAN Journalism Fellowship Award. The AAN recognizes the important contributions made by members of the news media who help raise the public's awareness of neurologic disorders through print, broadcast and online news stories regarding advancements in neurologic research. The winner will receive special recognition, airfare and hotel with a five-night maximum stay to attend the 2010 AAN Annual Meeting in Toronto. The AAN Annual Meeting will take place April 10 - 17, 2010, in Toronto, Canada, and provides an in-depth look at the latest advances in research and treatment options for neurologic disorders including Alzheimer's disease, autism, Parkinson disease, epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis and stroke. More than 10,000 neurologists are expected to attend and more than 2,000 abstracts of scientific research will be presented. How to Apply: Applicants should submit the following: 1.) Written expression of interest (no more than 500 words) 2.) A resume (include contact information) 3.) Three print, broadcast or online news clips on a neurology-related topic or any medical/science topic that covers advances in research, treatment, or care of neurologic conditions. Materials may be part of a series. Audio or broadcast clips must have a total running time of less than 30 minutes. Materials or stories included in any AAN publications are prohibited. 4.) A nominating letter from a senior editor, news director or producer. There is no submission fee. Eligibility: Any reporter, writer, producer, or editor from a recognized print, broadcast, or online news publication is eligible to apply for the AAN Journalism Fellowship Award. Members of the AAN who can provide these credentials are also eligible to apply. However, members of the AAN currently serving in official leadership positions are exempt. Materials must be published or broadcast between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2009. Past recipients of the AAN Journalism Fellowship Award are not eligible to apply. Judging Criteria: Judges may select up to one award recipient. Entries will be judged on the basis of originality, aptitude, accuracy, and significance to the area of neurology. Judges will also consider the journalist's background, interest, and overall career contributions to neurology-related topics. Applications may be sent through the mail or email using the following information: Rachel Seroka American Academy of Neurology, Journalism Fellowship Award 1080 Montreal Avenue St. Paul, MN 55116-2311 Email: rseroka@aan.com Application Deadline: Friday, January 8, 2010 For more information about the AAN Journalism Fellowship Award, visit http://www.aan.com/go/press/journalism. 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 http://www.aan.com.

Can Strep Throat Cause OCD, Tourette Syndrome?

ababb@aan.com — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT

New research shows that streptococcal infection does not appear to cause or trigger Tourette syndrome or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The research is published in the September 30, 2009, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. "These results do not confirm other, smaller studies done in the US, which found an association between strep infection and these brain disorders," said study author Anette Schrag, MD, of the University College London in the United Kingdom. "Streptococcal infection has previously also been linked to other, much rarer neuropsychiatric disorders." OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted thoughts or obsessions and repetitive behaviors. Tourette syndrome is a neurologic disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary sounds and movements called tics. The study involved 255 people between the ages of two and 25 from a large, unselective population in the United Kingdom. Of those, 129 were diagnosed with OCD and 126 with Tourette syndrome or tics. Scientists compared the two groups with 4,519 people of similar ages without these disorders. In the group with OCD, 15 percent had been exposed to a possible strep infection within two years of diagnosis. There was a similar rate among the comparative group of people without OCD. In the group with Tourette syndrome or other tic disorders, 10 percent had been exposed to a possible strep infection within two years of diagnosis, similar to people without the disorder. Researchers also looked at possible strep infections within five years of diagnosis of a strep infection. The researchers found that people with OCD or Tourette syndrome and tics were no more likely to have had possible strep infections compared to people without these disorders at two years and five years. The study was supported by the Tourette Syndrome Association. 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 stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or www.thebrainmatters.org.

AAN Announces Members Selected for 2010 Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum

ababb@aan.com — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:16:14 GMT

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has announced the selection of more than 30 neurologists to attend the Academy's award-winning Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, January 7-10, 2010, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum is an advocacy leadership skills development program designed to train selected members to be effective advocates for their profession and neurology patients at the local, state and national levels. "The AAN would like to congratulate the 31 members selected to participate in the 2010 Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum," said Elaine C. Jones, MD, FAAN, co-chair of the Government Relations Committee and Master of Ceremonies for this year's event. "The Forum provides an excellent opportunity for selected neurologists to obtain grassroots legislative advocacy training, hone media and communications skills, and develop an advocacy action plan based on the health care challenges they face where they live and practice." To view the list of AAN neurologists selected for the 2010 Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, visit http://www.aan.com/go/advocacy/active/palf/2010class. This year's trainees will be joined by 10 experienced Advisors, all of whom were selected from previous Forums based on their advocacy leadership skills to receive advanced mentorship training and work with the new 2010 trainees. Since 2003, 210 members of the AAN from 39 US states and 13 countries have graduated from the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum. Many of these graduates have gone on to implement their action plans and provide solutions to health care challenges in their area. The Forum was named in memory of former AAN Board of Directors member Donald M. Palatucci, MD, and honors his spirited efforts as an advocate for his patients and profession. 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 AAN.com or TheBrainMatters.org .

Deep Brain Stimulation May Be Effective Treatment for Tourette Syndrome

ababb@aan.com — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Deep brain stimulation may be a safe and effective treatment for Tourette syndrome, according to research published in the October 27, 2009, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. "Our findings hold promise for helping people with severe Tourette syndrome, who are in need of new treatment options to improve their quality of life," said study author Andrea Cavanna, MD, of the University of Birmingham, in the United Kingdom. It is estimated that two million Americans are affected by Tourette syndrome, which is a neurological disorder characterized by uncontrolled movements and vocalizations, or tics, lasting more than a year. The first symptoms of Tourette syndrome are almost always noticed in childhood and some common tics include eye blinking, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging and head or shoulder jerking. People who have Tourette syndrome often also have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, anxiety or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study involved 15 people with severe Tourette syndrome and OCD who were an average age of 30 and continued to have severe symptoms after trying medications and psychobehavioral treatments. They also had high levels of depression and anxiety at the start of the study. The participants were followed and tested for two years after deep brain stimulation, which involves a surgically implanted brain pacemaker that sends electrical impulses to certain parts of the brain. The study found that the participants experienced 52 percent fewer tics on average and a 26 to 33 percent improvement in the symptoms of OCD, depression and anxiety two years after deep brain stimulation began. Deep brain stimulation had no significant effect on thinking abilities in the study. "Despite having only 15 patients in this study, it is the largest to date on the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation as a treatment for Tourette syndrome," said Cavanna. "The results showed that all 15 people who were assessed after two years' treatment experienced improvements in disabling tics and neurological problems, which is encouraging. Unfortunately three patients from the original group of 18 were no longer part of the study at follow up and this limits the ability to generalize our findings. More research needs to be done to confirm that deep brain stimulation is a safe and effective treatment for Tourette syndrome." Deep brain stimulation is FDA approved for the treatment of essential tremor, Parkinson's disease and dystonia. The study was supported by the Italian Tourette Syndrome Association, the National Hospital Research and Development Fund and Tourettes Action-UK. 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. VIDEO: www.youtube.com/AANChannel TEXT: www.aan.com/press TWEETS: www.twitter.com/AANPublic

Call for Entries: Public Asked to Submit Videos to 2010 Neuro Film Festival

ababb@aan.com — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:31:53 GMT

People who have compelling stories to share regarding how they or a loved one has been affected by a brain disorder are invited to submit a short video to the 2010 Neuro Film Festival, an event by the American Academy of Neurology Foundation to help raise awareness about brain disorders and the need to support research into preventions, treatments, and cures. "We need the public, especially patients and caregivers, to submit short videos to the Neuro Film Festival to help us show why more research is needed into brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, migraine, autism, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, ALS and stroke," said Christine E. Phelps, Deputy Executive Director of the American Academy of Neurology Foundation. "Tell us your story or the story of a loved one affected by neurologic disorders and you could win up to $1,500 and a chance to have your video shown at the Neuro Film Festival in Toronto in conjunction with the Academy's 62nd Annual Meeting." Video submissions to the Neuro Film Festival should be made at http://www.neurofilmfestival.com by February 16, 2010. Videos should be three to seven minutes in length. Each short film should include the phrase, "Let's put our brains together to support brain research." A video showing how to submit to the Neuro Film Festival is available at http://www.neurofilmfestival.com, on the Neuro Film Festival's channel on YouTube, and via Facebook®. For a complete list of contest rules, visit http://www.neurofilmfestival.com. Submissions Deadline: February 16, 2010 The Neuro Film Festival is sponsored by PSAV® Presentation Services. The American Academy of Neurology Foundation (AAN Foundation) raises money to support vital research into the prevention, treatment and cure of brain disorders. The AAN Foundation is committed to improving patient care, quality of life and public understanding of the brain and other 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 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 and the AAN Foundation, visit www.aan.com, or TheBrainMatters.com.

AAN Names New Editor-in-Chief of Neurology® Journal

ababb@aan.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:51:46 GMT

The American Academy of Neurology has named a new Editor-in-Chief of its medical journal Neurology®, the world's leading clinical neurology journal. Robert A. Gross, MD, PhD, with the University of Rochester Medical Center and Director of the Strong Epilepsy Center in Rochester, New York, will officially succeed Editor-in-Chief John H. Noseworthy, MD, FAAN. Gross has been serving as Interim Editor-in-Chief since Noseworthy resigned from the position earlier this year to become president and CEO of the Mayo Clinic. Gross, who is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, becomes the sixth editor-in-chief of Neurology since the journal was first published in 1951 and will serve a 10-year term. Prior to accepting the position, Gross held a position on Neurology's Editorial Board for eight years, two of which he served as Deputy Editor. "It is my distinguished honor to lead Neurology into the next decade as the premier peer-reviewed journal for clinical neurologists," said Gross. "My goal is for Neurology to remain at the forefront in disseminating cutting-edge, peer-reviewed information to the neurology community worldwide." Neurology is the world's most widely read and highly cited peer-reviewed neurology journal and receives nearly 4,000 manuscript submissions annually, with about 66 percent of those coming from international researchers. Readers now enjoy Italian, Japanese, Polish, Spanish, Turkish, Korean, Chinese, and English editions of Neurology. The medical journal's purpose is to advance the field of neurology by presenting new basic and clinical research that will influence the way neurology is practiced. Gross earned degrees from Harvard University and Washington University Medical and Graduate Schools. He is also active in the Epilepsy Foundation of the Rochester, Syracuse and Binghamton regions, serving currently as Chair of the Board of Directors. 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 dystonia, migraine, Huntington's disease, dementia and epilepsy. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com or TheBrainMatters.org. VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/AANChannel TEXT: http://www.aan.com/press TWEETS: http://www.twitter.com/AANPublic