{"id":12401,"date":"2022-01-11T17:47:56","date_gmt":"2022-01-11T22:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/neurology\/?p=12401"},"modified":"2022-11-16T08:43:43","modified_gmt":"2022-11-16T13:43:43","slug":"neurology-news-january-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/neurology\/neurology-news-january-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Neurology News – January 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

Department<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Gwenn<\/p>\n

Message from the Chair<\/strong> \u2013 Gwenn Garden, MD, PhD<\/h4>\n

The new year is upon us. While our focus is again drawn toward concern regarding another wave of COVID-19, we can still see a few bright spots on the horizon.\u00a0For example, two outstanding neurologists have already agreed to join the UNC Department of Neurology next summer. Dr. Lynn Liu will be coming to UNC from University of Rochester, Strong Epilepsy Center to take on the role of Epilepsy Division Chief.\u00a0We have also recruited Dr. Katelyn Bricker, Child Neurologist and current Sleep Medicine Fellow to join the Divisions of Sleep Medicine and Child Neurology.<\/p>\n

Another example is that two faculty have recently been promoted to Professor (Susan Wilson) and Associate Professor (Angela Wabulya). In spite of pandemic distractions members of the UNC Department of Neurology continue to provide outstanding patient care while being recognized for their academic achievements.\u00a0Dr. James Ho received a Junior Faculty Development Award from UNC, Dr. Monica Diaz was awarded the AAN Clinical Research Training Scholarship and Dr. Laura de Lima Xavier received the Kaiser Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award.<\/p>\n

In additional news on clinical care, the Department of Neurology will be undergoing further geographical expansion.\u00a0The Child Neurology Clinic will be moving to dedicated space in the Carolina Point II building very soon. At the Hillsborough hospital, the Bodford Transvers Myelitis Clinic will be expanding into new space.\u00a0This space will enable the Department of Neurology to offer General Neurology and Neuroimmunology ambulatory appointments at Hillsborough hospital in the near future. These new clinical spaces will further enable us to expand patient access to neurology services.<\/p>\n

Even an unpredictable global pandemic cannot stop UNC Neurology from growing to meet our academic and patient care missions.<\/p>\n

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The UNC Hospitals Child Neurology Clinic<\/strong> will be relocating in February. The new address is 6011 Farrington Road, Suite 100, Chapel Hill, NC\u00a0 27517.<\/p>\n

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Happy New Year!<\/strong> In 2021, UNC Neurology added 10 new faculty members and 2 APPs, launched two new divisions, and published research on over 20 neurological diseases. Learn more ><\/a>
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\"JorgeThe Neurology Wellness Report – <\/strong>by Jorge L. Almod\u00f3var-Su\u00e1rez, MD<\/h4>\n

We are pleased to announce that the department is starting a Neurology Wellness Mini Grant Program. The goals are:<\/p>\n

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  1. To innovate in the field of employee wellness;<\/li>\n
  2. To give faculty and staff the opportunity to design and produce wellness activities that match their needs and interests;<\/li>\n
  3. To promote relationships amongst our faculty and staff;<\/li>\n
  4. To have fun.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Learn more ><\/a><\/p>\n

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    Recognition\/Honors<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Timothy Gershon, MD, PhD<\/strong>, was appointed Vice Chair for Research for the Department of Neurology.<\/p>\n

    Angela Wabulya, MBChB<\/strong>, was promoted to associate professor.<\/p>\n

    Winnie Lau, MD<\/strong>, received Board certification in neurocritical care.<\/p>\n

    Diana Cejas, MD, MPH<\/strong>, was selected as a new member of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Advisory Panel<\/a> on Healthcare Delivery and Disparities Research.<\/p>\n

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    Grants<\/span><\/h2>\n

    \"GraphicWeili Lin, PhD<\/strong>, and Karen Grewen, PhD<\/strong> (UNC Psychiatry) are co-principal investigators of the UNC site for an NIH-funded groundbreaking study of infant and child brain and behavioral development. Their project has total funding of $8,242,067 for the first five years and is one of 25 sites selected across the nation. Read more ><\/a><\/p>\n

    Jamie Capal, MD<\/strong>, is the site PI and neurodevelopmental lead for an R01 titled, \u201cSirolimus TSC Epilepsy Prevention Study (STEPS).\u201d\u00a0 This is a phase IIb, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter clinical trial (TSC-STEPS) using sirolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, to prevent or delay seizure onset in infants with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).<\/p>\n

    Dr. Capal<\/strong> is also a co-PI for a foundation grant of $100,000\/year for two years from the Angelman Syndrome Foundation for her project, \u201cRecruitment and Deep Phenotyping of Infants with Angelman Syndrome to Enable Early Treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Monica M. Diaz, MD, MS, <\/strong>received an American Academy of Neurology Clinical Research Training Scholarship<\/a> for her project (PI), \u201cNeurofilament light as a marker of synaptic loss in cognitively impaired older people with HIV.\u201d The scholarship starts on July 1 and provides $75,000 per year for two years.<\/p>\n

    Dr. Diaz also received a UNC Center for AIDS Research Developmental Pilot Grant for her project (PI), \u201cNeurofilament light as a possible marker of persistent CNS viral replication and immune activation,\u201d that starts August 1 and provides $40,000 for one year.<\/p>\n

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    Publications \/ Research<\/span><\/h2>\n

    \"Microscope\"U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved VYVGART (efgartigimod alfa-fcab) for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis in adult patients who are anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody positive. These patients represent approximately 85% of the total gMG population. James F. Howard Jr., MD<\/strong>, was principle investigator of the ADAPT trial. Learn more ><\/a><\/p>\n

    Winnie Lau, MD<\/strong>; Clio Rubinos, MD, MS<\/strong>; Kelly Dehne, PharmD, BCCCP<\/strong>; and other UNC researchers published, \u201cDifficulties Detecting Clinically Relevant Factor Xa Inhibitor Levels Prior to Reversal With Andexanet Alfa for Intracranial Hemorrhage,\u201d in The Neurohospitalist<\/a>, September 2021.<\/p>\n

    The Neuromuscular Division<\/strong> was selected as a site for the \u201cPHOENIX TRIAL: A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of AMX0035 Versus Placebo for 48-week Treatment of Adult Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).\u201d<\/p>\n

    Jamie Capal, MD<\/strong>, co-authored:<\/p>\n