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HOSPITAL AWARDED GRANT TO RESEARCH
LINK BETWEEN OSTEOPOROSIS AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
The Clinical Research Center (CRC) at Helen
Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw has been awarded a $300,000
grant by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to study
the relationship between Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Osteoporosis.
Specifically, the grant will allow scientists to study the
effects of dietary intake of vitamins on individuals with
MS.
Scientists will conduct a randomized, controlled,
double blind trial to compare vitamin supplementation (1000
IU per day) with placebo supplements during a two year study
of 100 individuals with MS who are shown to have low vitamin
levels. The researchers will look at the changes in skeletal
metabolism, calcium absorption and bone mass in participants
treated with the vitamin supplement as compared to participants
treated with the placebo. Since severe vitamin deficiency
is associated with abnormal muscle function, researchers hypothesize
that a mild deficiency might also affect neuromuscular function.
Therefore, they will investigate the effects of vitamin supplementation
on falling frequency and certain aspects of muscle strength
in individuals with MS.
Osteoporosis is a condition where the amount
of bone mass is reduced, leading to decreased bone strength
and increased risk of fracture. Several years ago, scientists
at the Clinical Research Center hypothesized that individuals
with MS might be at higher risk of osteoporosis due to the
use of steroids to treat the disease, and reduced mobility
and ambulation. In a study of patients with MS admitted to
Helen Hayes Hospital for rehabilitation, the scientists found
that these patients had severely reduced bone mass compared
to individuals of the same age without MS. Furthermore, the
study showed that patients with MS had a much higher number
of osteoporosis-related fractures and that a very high percentage
had a specific nutritional deficiency. This finding was related
to low dietary intake and avoidance of the sun (due to worsening
of MS symptoms in the heat). Patients who had the lowest vitamin
levels also had the lowest bone mass and the greatest rate
of bone loss over a two year follow-up period.
Vitamin supplements in other populations has
resulted in a lower rate of bone loss and a lower rate of
fractures in some studies. Scientists at the CRC hypothesize
that this low vitamin level in the MS population contributes
to an abnormal skeletal metabolism and an increased rate of
bone loss. Vitamin insufficiency therefore contributes to
a high rate of osteoporosis and consequent fractures in individuals
with MS.
Felicia Cosman, M.D., Clinical Director of
the CRC, will be the principal investigator. "The additional
complications of an osteoporotic fracture in an individual
who is already compromised in activities of daily living and
ambulation by MS, is something we should make every attempt
to avoid," she states.
For additional information on the study, or
to be screened for participation, call 845-786-4804 .
HOSPITAL CEO ELECTED TO REHABILITATION
ASSOCIATION BOARD
Magdalena Ramirez, M.P.A., Chief Executive
Officer of Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, has been
elected to serve on the board of the American Medical Rehabilitation
Providers Association. The term of office runs through the
end of 1999.
Helen Hayes Hospital is the only freestanding
public rehabilitation hospital in New York State, and the
largest rehabilitation hospital in the New York metropolitan
area. It is affiliated with New York Presbyterian Hospital
in New York City. Since her appointment as CEO in 1989, Ms.
Ramirez has been instrumental in expanding and diversifying
hospital programs to include a broader continuum of inpatient
and outpatient patient care services. In addition, she directs
research and education programs.
Ms. Ramirez is an appointed member of the Subacute
Work Committee of the New York State Hospital Review and Planning
Council, the New York State Technical Advisory Group on Traumatic
Brain Injuries, and the Rockland Subarea Health Council. In
addition, she serves on the board of the Northern Metropolitan
Hospital Association, is a member of the American Hospital
Association Governing Council on Long Term Care and Rehabilitation
and is the former president of the Health Care Executive Forum.
A graduate of Cornell University, Ms. Ramirez
holds a master’s degree in public administration from
New York University.
The American Medical Rehabilitation Providers
Association (AMRPA) is a not-for-profit association based
in Washington, D.C. which represents medical rehab providers.
Members include freestanding rehabilitation hospitals and
rehabilitation units of general hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation
facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and others. The association
is focused on providing its members legislative advocacy,
technical assistance and information services.
HOSPITAL NEUROLOGY RESEARCH CENTER
RECEIVES GRANTS
The Helen Hayes Hospital Neurology Research
Center has received federal funding for two new research projects.
The research is being funded by grants from the National Institute
of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), a division of
the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
One study will examine the effects of brain-derived
neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein present in the brain
normally, both in children and adults. The NIH has awarded
$660,000 for this five year study. Dr. Helen Scharfman, Head
of the Neurology Research Center at the hospital, is the primary
investigator.
BDNF plays a major role in the normal development
of the nervous system, allowing neurons to make connections.
Following a seizure or traumatic injury, such as a stroke
or accident, elevated levels of BDNF occur in the brain. In
the past, this change has been thought to be compensatory,
enabling the brain to recover from injury.
Research conducted in the Neurology Research
Center at Helen Hayes Hospital has indicated that these positive
effects may not always occur. "There may be several different
actions of BDNF," explains Dr. Scharfman. "There
is evidence that BDNF may have one effect in the spinal cord,
but a different effect elsewhere. One may be beneficial, but
another may not." Ideally, new drugs could be developed
to foster the beneficial actions of BDNF, neutralizing its
negative effects and enhance the recovery process from brain
injury.
The second research project is being conducted
in collaboration with Dr. Robert Schwarcz at the University
of Maryland and Dr. Edward Bertram at the University of Virginia.
The NIH has funded this collaborative research with a five
year grant for over $1 million.
The research team is examining how to protect
neurons in the body. After stroke or traumatic injury, neurons
excite each other, releasing chemicals which cause a series
of damaging reactions. The research will look at the role
of compounds that the body normally produces to stop the damage.
One of the chemicals is a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan,
called kynurenic acid. Dr. Scharfman and Dr. Goodman of the
Neurology Research Center have already shown that kynurenic
acid can decrease neuronal excitation.
The Helen Hayes Hospital Neurology Research
Center has performed basic research for over ten years, focusing
on the types of disabilities and disorders which the hospital’s
patients face. While rehabilitation programs at the hospital
help patients overcome disability, the research is aimed at
preventing disability and helping those that survive recover.
HOSPITAL WEB SITE RECEIVES HIGH SCORES/EXPANDS
ITS CONTENT
Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw has
announced that its web site has received some of the highest
ratings from top health and medical internet search engines
and that the site has been expanded to include additional
information. The site, which went live one year ago, can be
found at www.helenhayeshospital.org.
HealthAtoZ, a leading and popular health and
medical search engine, has awarded four stars to the hospital’s
web site, indicating high standards of excellence.
The Helen Hayes Hospital web site was recently
scored by the Health On the Net Foundation (HON), an internationally
recognized organization dedicated to helping individuals find
useful health related information on the net and assuring
its accuracy. The hospital’s site received the highest
score, 30, of all rehabilitation facility sites reviewed by
the Foundation.
Medsite, another leading medical search engine,
has rated the Helen Hayes Hospital site as "Very Good."
In addition, it rates the site as "Very Useful"
to all categories of internet users, including the general
public, students, doctors, researchers, and health care professionals.
The hospital’s site, which is designed
to provide an overall explanation of the hospital’s
programs, services and events, has recently been expanded
to include additional information. Anyone accessing the site
can now find a complete schedule of support group meetings
at Helen Hayes Hospital, as well as a calendar of upcoming
events, information on patient outcomes and a press release
section dedicated to the latest hospital news.
"Helen Hayes Hospital serves individuals
from around the country, and around the world, who need rehabilitative
care," explains Edmund Zybert, Deputy Director. "Therefore,
the web site is an excellent vehicle for us to disseminate
information about the hospital and to open a dialogue with
patients, health care
professionals and others interested in our
services. We are committed to continuously enhancing the site,
while making it useful and helpful to internet users."
HOSPITAL EXPANDS HOURS FOR PHYSICAL
THERAPY APPOINTMENTS
The Physical Therapy Department of Helen Hayes
Hospital in West Haverstraw has announced an expanded schedule
for outpatient physical therapy appointments. Therapy appointments
can now be scheduled Monday through Thursday evenings until
8:00 p.m.
As one of the nation’s leading rehabilitation
facilities, Helen Hayes Hospital provides physical therapy
services to individuals throughout the New York metropolitan
and Hudson Valley regions. Physical therapy is beneficial
to individuals recovering from orthopedic disorders, as well
as those with neurological and cardiac conditions. Therapy
can help restore mobility and range of motion and can relieve
pain and discomfort.
All physical therapy services are provided
by licensed physical therapists. To make an appointment, or
for further information, call 845-786- .
HOSPITAL PREMIERS UNIQUE OSTEOPOROSIS
PROGRAM MOBILE VAN BRINGS BONE SCANNING TO THE WORK SITE
Helen Hayes Hospital, a national leader in
the field of bone densitometry and osteoporosis treatment,
has introduced a new mobile bone scanning unit which will
provide bone mineral density scans off the hospital premises.
Working in conjunction with the Wellness Institute, a provider
of worksite wellness programs based in New City, New York,
bone density scans will now be available at worksites and
community centers across the region. The mobile van is the
only one of its kind in the region.
The new van is fully equipped with a state-of-the
art bone densitometer which can perform a complete spine and
hip scan in under 10 minutes. A licensed hospital radiation
technologist performs the scan. Expert physicians from Helen
Hayes Hospital’s Osteoporosis Center read each bone
scan and provide the individual with a detailed report of
the findings. Pre and post testing information and education,
including nutrition and exercise, counseling and intervention
are provided by staff of the Wellness Institute and Helen
Hayes Hospital. If follow-up medical care is necessary, individuals
can access the array of services available at Helen Hayes
Hospital’s extensive Osteoporosis Center, in conjunction
with their own physician.
This new service will make bone scanning convenient
to thousands of individuals who can potentially benefit from
early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. Approximately
28 million Americans either have or are at risk of developing
this disorder, which is a weakening of the bones. Osteoporosis
causes fractures and disability and bone scanning is the only
method of determining the risk or diagnosing the disease in
its early stages. Scanning is safe and non-invasive.
"This new service is similar to mobile
mammography programs," explains Robert Lindsay, M.D.,
Ph.D., Chief of the Clinical Research Center at Helen Hayes
and President of the National Osteoporosis Association. "The
mobile bone van is an extension of Helen Hayes Hospital’s
expertise in osteoporosis testing and treatment. The service
can help prevent the devastating outcomes of osteoporotic
fractures by providing an early diagnosis for working women,
who may not otherwise find the time to use this vital diagnostic
test." |
