MEDIA ADVISORY: Opening of New “Center of Excellence” for Treatment of Dystonia and Parkinson’s Disease

WHAT: UCSF is a world-renowned center for the treatment of movement disorders in both children and adults, including state-of-the-art deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy, in which electrodes are implanted into patients’ brains to treat abnormal movements.

The results of DBS, which will be described by both patients and physicians at the celebration of the Center’s designation event, are remarkable. Children who developed severe, progressive movement disorders have been able to return to normal physical activities very rapidly after DBS surgery. The procedure involves implanting pacemaker-like hardware into the brain that attaches to a programmable stimulator implanted in the chest.

The event is being held to celebrate the program’s recognition by the Bachmann-Strauss Foundation as one of three new Centers of Excellence in the field.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 5, 2013

3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (See agenda below.)

WHERE: Millberry Union City Lights Room

500 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, 94143-0234

AGENDA:

3:00 p.m. Welcome by Jill Ostrem, MD, Medical Director, Surgical Movement Disorders Center. Philip Starr, MD, PhD, Surgical Director, Surgical Movement Disorders Center.

3:05 p.m.-3:10 p.m. Introductions of UCSF and Bachmann-Strauss Foundation team

3:10 p.m.-3:15 p.m. Stephen Hauser, MD, chair of Neurology, UCSF

3:15 p.m.-3:20 p.m. Mitchel Berger, MD, chair of Neurological Surgery, UCSF

3:20 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Clinical overview: Jill Ostrem, MD

3:30 p.m.-3:40 p.m. Parkinson’s disease patient treated with DBS

3:40 p.m.-3:50 p.m. Dystonia patient treated with DBS

3:50 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Parkinson’s disease patient treated with DBS

4:00 p.m. Research highlights (10 min. each)

Movement disorders physiology: Philip Starr, MD, PhD

Outcomes after DBS: Jill Ostrem, MD

Genetics of movement disorders: Marta San Luciano, MD

4:30 p.m.-4:35 p.m. Overview of educational efforts, Nick Galifianakis, MD

4:35 p.m.-4:40 p.m. Comments by Bonnie Strauss, president and founder of Bachmann-Strauss Foundation, and presentation of award

4:40 p.m. Closing remarks, Jill Ostrem, MD and Philip Starr, MD, PhD

WHY: The new Bachmann-Strauss Center of Excellence at UCSF is one of four such new centers nationwide. The Centers have been established with a total of $1.2 million ($400,000 to UCSF) in seed money. The designation and support will help advance ongoing research projects and fundraising for new research projects focused on new treatment options for patients with dystonia and Parkinson’s disease. The funding also will strengthen UCSF’s clinical and research infrastructure, while providing a mechanism through which all of the new centers can share their knowledge and collaborate on new research initiatives. The Centers will be catalysts for breakthroughs in understanding and treating dystonia and Parkinson’s disease. This funding will help ensure that the centers are self-sustaining.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES: Interview opportunities are available with all speakers, including physicians, foundation officials, researchers, and patients. RSVP to Peter Farley: [email protected]. Afternoon of event: (415) 317-3781 (mobile).