"New Technology for Measuring Movement Disorders"

WHAT:           The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education & Clinical Center (PADRECC) presents a free educational program and forum for veterans, family members, and friends: "New Technology for Measuring Movement Disorders." The guest speaker is Max Kurz, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Health & Human Performance, University of Houston. A discussion of research opportunities with MEDVAMC neurologists will follow.

WHEN:           Friday, January 25, 2008, 10 - 11:45 a.m.

WHERE:        4th Floor Auditorium (Near Main Elevators)

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

2002 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77030

                        Free valet parking is available.      

CONTACT:   For more information, please call Naomi Nelson, Ph.D., R.N. at (713) 794-8938.

BACKGROUND:

                        The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) took a major step toward improving patient care and pursuing a cure for Parkinson’s disease by establishing six Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECCs), one at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston.

Operating as a national consortium, each PADRECC conducts research covering basic biomedicine, rehabilitation, health services delivery, and clinical trials.  Each is participating in a landmark clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of surgical implantation of deep brain stimulators in reducing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

The National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. estimates that up to 1.5 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease and that approximately 50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. VA medical centers treat at least 40,000 Parkinson’s disease patients every year.