News

Neurology News – May 2022

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

Scientists Detail Brain Dynamics Implicated in Neurological Conditions

UNC School of Medicine researchers led by Ian Shih, PhD, used fMRI and a genetic mouse model to study the effects of a neurotransmitter on brain network functional connectivity, a dynamic process crucial for human health and behavior.

FDA Approves Treatment for Myasthenia Gravis After Phase III Study Led by James Howard, MD

James F. Howard, Jr, MD, in the UNC Department of Neurology is the lead primary investigator in the CHAMPION-MG trial for Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz) as a treatment for adults with generalised myasthenia gravis who are anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive, which represents 80% of people living with the disease.

Hunter named as Simmons Scholar

Dr. Senyene Hunter, assistant professor of child neurology, was named as a UNC School of Medicine Simmons Scholar, effective July 2022.

Interim Data Suggest Long-term Treatment with VYVGART Provides Improvement in Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Disease Scores

James F. Howard Jr., MD, professor in the UNC Department of Neurology, was principal investigator of the ADAPT+ trial for the experimental drug efgartigimod, developed by Belgian pharmaceutical company Argenx.

UNC Neurologists Elected to AAN Section Leadership

Monica Diaz, MD, MS, and Ana Felix, MBBCH, FAAN, have been elected as the 2022-2023 Vice Chairs of the American Academy of Neurology’s Global Health Section and the AB Baker Section for Neurological Education, respectively.

Statts Named Department of Neurology Interim Associate Chair for Administration

Robert Statts will begin his work in the interim role on March 17.

Neurology News – March 2022

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

Traub and Li awarded $5K-50K NC TraCS grant

NC TraCS awarded funding for a $5K-$50K grant application submitted by Rebecca Traub, MD and Xiaoyan Li, MD, PhD.

Smith appointed as Vice Dean of UNC’s Gillings School of Public Health

Dr. Robert Smith, Associate Chair for Administration, has been appointed as the Vice Dean of Gillings School of Public Health.

Phase 3 study results show positive data in treatment of myasthenia gravis with zilucoplan

James F. Howard Jr., MD, professor in the UNC Department of Neurology, was lead investigator in UCB’s RAISE trial to evaluate zilucoplan as a treatment for generalized myasthenia gravis in adults.

Nanoparticle-formulated drug combination is effective in medulloblastoma, a pediatric brain tumor

Dr. Timothy Gershon is co-corresponding author of new research that appeared in Sciences Advances, January 26, 2022.

Neurology News – January 2022

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

FDA approves new drug to treat generalized myasthenia gravis

James F. Howard Jr., MD, professor in the UNC Department of Neurology, was principal investigator of the phase 3 trial for the experimental drug efgartigimod, developed by Belgian pharmaceutical company Argenx.

Diaz Receives AAN Clinical Research Training Scholarship

The American Academy of Neurology awarded Monica M. Diaz, MD, MS, a Clinical Research Training Scholarship in support of her research on the detection of neurodegeneration in older, cognitively impaired people with HIV.

James Ho receives Junior Faculty Development Award

James Pham Ho, MD, receives $10,000 Junior Faculty Development Award

Duke-UNC ADRC announces three research funding opportunities

The Duke/UNC ADRC is pleased to announce the release of three funding opportunities for researchers at Duke and UNC studying Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. One of the awards, the REC Scholar, is also open to candidates from UNC Pembroke, North Carolina Central University, and East Carolina University.

Neurology News – November 2021

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

Duke-UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Collaborative awarded major new funding as an NIH Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Areas of focus will include identifying age-related changes that impact the development, progression and experience of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, and how factors that arise in early- and mid-life contribute to racial, ethnic and geographic disparities in dementia.

UNC Neurology Receives New Center of Excellence Designation

The Division of Neuromuscular Disorders has been designated as a GBS|CIDP Foundation International Center of Excellence for the diagnosis and treatment of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, and other inflammatory peripheral neuropathies.

Neurology News – September 2021

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

PGY-2 Resident Receives 2021 Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award

Second-year Adult Neurology resident Dr. Laura de Lima Xavier received the award during the 2021 UNC School of Medicine’s Whitehead Lecture and Awards ceremony on August 4.

Aducanumab Update

Learn about aducanumab and UNC Neurology’s position on the new drug approved by the FDA for Alzheimer’s disease.

Neurology News – July 2021

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

Almodóvar-Suárez Named Director of ALS Clinic

Jorge L. Almodóvar-Suárez, MD, associate professor of general neurology and neuromuscular disorders, is the new director of the UNC Department of Neurology’s Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Clinic. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Dr. Almodóvar-Suárez is graduate of the state-funded University of Puerto Rico System, and a faithful believer of education and health care for … Continued

Rubinos and Sklerov Receive Physician Scientist Training Program Awards

The UNC Department of Neurology is proud to announce that UNC neurologists Clio Rubinos, MD, MS, and Miriam Sklerov, MD, MS, have both received UNC School of Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program Faculty Awards.

RFA: Alzheimer’s Disease Research – Norins Pilot Awards

The Duke/UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Collaborative is offering $50,000 Norins pilot awards to stimulate and support collaborative, innovative research on the potential role of microbes or pathogens in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The principal investigator must be a Duke University faculty member or postdoctoral fellow, but cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaborations is strongly encouraged.

Joint Duke/UNC Alzheimer’s disease symposium highlights potential role of microbes and inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease

Over 800 scientists from across the United States and overseas convened virtually for a joint Duke/UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Symposium on May 27.

Olm-Shipman Receives High Value Care Award

Casey Olm-Shipman, MD, MS, received the High Value Care Award from the UNC School of Medicine Academy of Educators in recognition of her dedication and commitment to improving clinical care though QI research and leadership.

Shih awarded $5K-50K NC TraCS grant

NC TraCS awarded funding for a $5K-$50K grant application submitted by Yen-Yu Ian Shih, PhD.

Neurology News – May 2021

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

UNC Adult Neurology Now Offering Ambulatory E-Consults to Referring Providers

New e-consult service allows referring primary care providers to receive comprehensive and timely recommendations from UNC Department of Neurology specialists.

Two Blues Join Forces to Fight Alzheimer’s Disease

Duke and UNC have joined forces on an ambitious new program called the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Collaborative, which aims to detect, delay or even prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.

Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Honors Howard at 2021 National Conference

James Howard, MD, Distinguished Professor of Neuromuscular Disease, was named Medical Professional of the Year by the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America.

Diaz named as Simmons Scholar

Dr. Monica Diaz, assistant professor of neurology, was named as a UNC School of Medicine Simmons Scholar, effective July 2021.

New Residents and Fellows announced for 2021-2022

We are pleased to introduce our incoming adult and child neurology residents and fellows for FY2021.

Neurology News – March 2021

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

Wabulya receives Junior Faculty Development Award

Congratulations to neurologist Angela Wabulya, MBChB, for receiving the $10,000 award.

Powers Receives AAN’s 2021 A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition Award

Professor William J. Powers, MD, is a professor of neurology within the Division of Stroke and Vascular Neurology.

Carolina Care Excellence Award Winners Announced

Please join us in congratulating neurologists Nina Browner, MD, and Richard Murrow, MD!

UNC Neurology mourns the loss of Betty Allen, RN

Retired pediatric nurse Betty F. Allen, RN, passed away on Thursday, December 17 from non-COVID-19 related issues. Betty grew up in Pittsboro, NC and graduated from Watt’s School of Nursing in Durham, NC in 1974. Betty served as a nurse for 46 years with a special interest in the neuroscience field. She retired from UNC … Continued

Neurology News – December 2020

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

UNC Child Neurology Social Worker Seeks to Address Barriers to Care

Alyssa Draffin, LCSW, recently went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that a 12-year-old boy with undiagnosed autism receive an evaluation that would qualify him for therapy and special services.

ACTG names second new award for Kevin Robertson

Serena Spudich, MD, professor of neurology and chief of Neurological Infections & Global Neurology at Yale University, is the first recipient of this award named in honor of beloved UNC neurology professor Kevin Robertson, PhD.

Olm-Shipman selected as AMA Health Systems Scholar

Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery Casey Olm-Shipman, MD, MS, was selected as an AMA Health Systems Scholar, a one-year mentored program aimed at developing Health Systems Science (HSS) leaders. In support of her recent appointment as UNC’s Director of HSS for Graduate Medical Education, Dr. Olm-Shipman’s AMA project will be the development and implementation … Continued

Scientists show how brain flexibility emerges in infants

UNC BRIC researchers led by Weili Lin, PhD, used magnetic resonance imaging techniques to show the emergence of a functional flexible brain during early infancy.

2020 Broyhill Research Award in Child Neurology Recipients Announced

The UNC Department of Neurology is proud to announce that child neurologists Senyene Hunter, MD, PhD, and Diana Cejas, MD, MPH, are this year’s recipients of the UNC Broyhill Research Award in Child Neurology.

Center for Animal MRI at BRIC Receives NIH Grants to Upgrade Facilities

The Center for Animal MRI (CAMRI) at the Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC), led by Ian Shih, PhD, received two National Institutes of Health grants totaling $2.6 million for a new MRI instrument and to upgrade an existing MRI system.

UNC Neurology Plays Role in Successful Phase 2 Clinical Trial for Lewy Body Dementia Treatment

UNC Neurology’s Research Center of Excellence for Lewy Body Dementia participated as a study site for a phase 2 clinical trial that met its primary objective of improving cognition in LBD patients who received neflamapimod.

Neurology News – September 2020

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

UNC Health Hospitals Receive Quality Achievement Awards for Stroke Care

Seven UNC Health hospitals have received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

UNC Neurology Receives New Center of Excellence Designation

The Division of Neuromuscular Disorders has been designated as a Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation Charcot-Marie-Tooth Center of Excellence.

Dr. Daniel I. Kaufer Memorial Service

View a video of the online memorial service held on July 23, 2020, for Associate Professor Daniel I Kaufer, MD.

Powers article featured in the New England Journal of Medicine

As part of its “Clinical Practice” series, The New England Journal of Medicine published “Acute Ischemic Stroke” by neurologist William J. Powers, MD, in its July 16, 2020 issue.

In Remembrance of Daniel Kaufer, MD

Daniel Ian Kaufer, MD, a professor in the department of neurology for 17 years, passed away on July 2 after a brief battle with cancer. Dr. Kaufer was a masterful clinician, prolific researcher, passionate advocate and beloved mentor. A memorial is set for July 23.

Neurology News – June 2020

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

Now Recruiting New Faculty

Discover exciting career opportunities with UNC Neurology

Experimental drug found to improve symptoms of generalized myasthenia gravis

James F. Howard Jr., MD, professor in the UNC Department of Neurology, was principal investigator of the phase 3 trial for the experimental drug efgartigimod, developed by Belgian pharmaceutical company Argenx.

UNC Medical Center to conduct study on severe traumatic brain injury

The study (BOOST-3) is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, and compares two treatments routinely used for monitoring patients with severe TBI in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit.

New Residents and Fellows announced for 2020 – 2021

We are pleased to introduce our incoming adult and child neurology residents as well as our fellows specializing in sleep medicine and neuromuscular disorders. Our new team members will begin this summer.

2020 Stroke Survivor & Caregiver Event

The UNC Comprehensive Stroke Center is excited to announce its second annual Stroke Survivor & Caregiver Event! The event will be held on March 7, 2020, at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, NC. This event allows an opportunity for fellowship among stroke survivors, their caregivers and health care professionals, and also provides an opportunity … Continued

Neurology News – February 2020

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit honored with award

The NICU received an inaugural UNC Medical Center Quality & Safety Award on Jan 14

Nina Browner, MD, Receives AAN’s 2020 A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition Award

Dr. Browner is the Department of Neurology’s vice chair for education and the director of the Adult Neurology Residency Program.

Neurology News – October 2019

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

2019 UNC Health Care EMS Symposium

This symposium on November 1, 2019, will provide an opportunity for continuing education for EMS & critical care transport providers on emergency neurologic and cardiac care.

Neurology News – July 2019

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

UNC Hospitals Comprehensive Stroke Center Receives Quality Achievement Award

The UNC Hospitals Comprehensive Stroke Center has once again received the Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association in recognition of UNC Health Care’s commitment to quality stroke care.

In Remembrance of Kevin Robertson

Kevin Robertson, PhD, a professor in the department of neurology for more than 30 years, passed away Sunday after an extended battle with cancer.

New Department Chair Announced

Gwenn Garden, MD, PhD, has been named Chair of the UNC School of Medicine’s Department of Neurology, effective Aug. 19.

Neurology News – April 2019

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

New Residents and Fellows announced for 2019 – 2020

We are pleased to introduce our incoming adult and child neurology residents as well as our fellows in neuro-critical care, sleep, epilepsy and vascular disorders. Our new team members will begin on July 1, 2019.

Cohen, Schisler awarded $3.1 million Alzheimer’s grant

Todd Cohen, PhD, and Jonathan Schisler, PhD, will investigate the new ideas related to the regulation of the Tau protein, which plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease.

UNC Hospitals Neurology Clinic Recognized As a Partner in MS Care by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

This formal recognition honors the Clinic’s commitment to providing exceptional, coordinated MS care.

William Snider, Founding Director of the UNC Neuroscience Center, Retires

William Snider, MD, who started the UNC Neuroscience Center in 1999 and led it for 17 years, will retire from the UNC School of Medicine February 1.

Neurology News – December 2018

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

Neurology News – August 2018

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

UNC Neurology named a LBDA Research Center of Excellence

The Lewy Body Dementia Association, the leading advocacy group dedicated to raising awareness and advancing research about Lewy body dementia, named the UNC Memory and Cognitive Disorders program as a Research Center of Excellence.

UNC Movement Disorders Center named as a CurePSP Center of Care

CurePSP created this new network to help patients with atypical Parkinsonism disorders to locate the best possible care and other resources.

Four faculty members enter retirement

Drs. Powers, Mann, Tennison and Greenwood will continue their work at UNC part-time.

Cohen Lab awarded three grants to study rare neurodegenerative diseases

Todd J. Cohen, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology, and his research lab have recently received three separate foundation grants for a total of $460,000 over three years.

Seeking Applications: Chair, Department of Neurology

The UNC School of Medicine seeks a qualified academic leader to serve as Chair of the Department of Neurology.

Six UNC Health Care Hospitals Recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for High Quality Stroke Care

American Heart Association Award Recognizes UNC Health Care’s Commitment to Quality Stroke Care CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – June 6, 2018 – UNC Health Care is pleased to announce that five of its hospitals – Nash UNC Health Care, Pardee UNC Health Care, UNC Hospitals, UNC REX Healthcare and Wayne UNC Health Care –  have received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s … Continued

Marks named interim chair, Department of Neurology

Lawrence “Larry” Marks, MD, will assume the role of Interim Chair of the Department of Neurology, effective May 1, 2018.

Neurology News – April 2018

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

2018 – 2019 New Residents and Fellows announced

We are pleased to introduce our incoming adult and child neurology residents as well as our fellows in neuro-critical care, sleep, epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders. Our new team members will begin on July 1, 2018, except as noted.

Powers, Chair of Neurology, to Retire

William “Bill” Powers, MD, has announced that he will enter the three-year phased retirement program beginning July 1, 2018. He will step down from his position as Chair of the Department of Neurology on April 30, 2018, at the end of his five year term.

More stroke patients may receive crucial treatments under new guideline

UNC Department Chair William Powers, MD, led new guideline writing group

Neurology News – December 2017

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

Hall to retire after 48-year career at UNC

After 48 years of service to the UNC Department of Neurology, Colin Hall, MB ChB, will fully retire on December 31, 2017.

FDA approves eculizumab for generalized myasthenia gravis

UNC Neurologist, Dr. James F. Howard, was the lead investigator in the clinical trial that led to FDA approval.

UNC launches new study to uncover nutritional impacts on early brain development

Researchers are using state-of-the-art imaging techniques and collecting data on dietary nutrient intake, feeding practices, and gut microbiota abundance and diversity to elucidate the links between nutrition, the microbiome, and brain maturation processes in early childhood.

Unraveling Alzheimer’s: New Study Documents How Brain Cells Go Bad

In a first-of-its-kind study, UNC researchers show how a damaging cascade of events inside brain cells – and related to Alzheimer’s disease – can be stopped or reversed.

Nine UNC Neurologists named to 2017-2018 Best Doctors in America® list

Only four percent of doctors in America earn this prestigious honor.

Neurology News – August 2017

What’s new in the Department of Neurology

Resident receives Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Jason Richards received a Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award at the 2017 UNC School of Medicine’s Whitehead Lecture and Awards ceremony on August 9.

Meet our new faculty

We are pleased to announce the further expansion of our pediatric neurology division with three new faculty members, Drs. Diana Cejas, Ammar Hussain and Yiting Yang. In addition, our ALS clinic will receive support from Dr. Deborah Gelinas, and Dr. Michael Forbes, a former UNC Neurology resident and fellow, will advance into a faculty position with the UNC Comprehensive Stroke Center.

ALS: New Clues to the Cause and How Future Drugs Might Reverse Disease

UNC Neurology’s Todd Cohen, PhD and other researchers team up to reverse TDP-43 protein aggregation, a hallmark of degenerative diseases.

Researchers continue to seek strategy for starving brain tumors

In the journal Cancer Research, UNC Lineberger researchers led by member Timothy R. Gershon, MD, PhD, report in the latest in a series of attempts to shut down the energy production machinery in medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children. The findings may help researchers identify a suitable therapeutic target within the sugar metabolism pathway, and provide clues to a scientific mystery surrounding the confounding way that some cancer cells get energy from sugar.

WCHL interviews Dr. David Haung for Stroke Awareness month

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. Most victims are older, but strokes can happen to anyone regardless of age.