July 15, 2024, Filed Under: NewsWelcome to Our Newest Genetic Counselor, Avia Sutton Join us in giving a warm welcome to Avia Sutton, MPH, MS, the newest genetic counselor in the Pediatric Neurogenetics Program. Avia earned a Bachelor of Science in behavioral neuroscience from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a Master of Science in public health from Tuskegee University in Alabama, and a master’s in genetic counseling from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. She then completed an internship at the Research Triangle Institute in North Carolina. Her interests include neurodevelopmental disability, public health genetics and education, and patient advocacy.
July 1, 2024, Filed Under: NewsWelcome, Dr. Lindsey Elliott Lindsey Elliott, PhD, is a pediatric psychologist who recently joined our program as an assistant professor in the departments of Neurology and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She specializes in treating children and adolescents with a wide range of functional disorders and will support our Psychogenic Nonepileptic Events Clinic. Dr. Elliott earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She completed an internship in pediatric psychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and a fellowship in pediatric psychology with a specialty in consultation-liaison at UT Health Austin’s Texas Child Study Center and Dell Children’s Medical Center. A member of the American Psychological Association and the Society of Pediatric Psychology, she is engaged in multisite research projects aimed at providing effective treatment to individuals with functional neurological disorders. Welcome, Dr. Elliott!
June 15, 2024, Filed Under: NewsWelcome, Dr. MacKenzie Howard MacKenzie A. Howard, PhD, an assistant professor of neurology and neuroscience, recently joined our program. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and his PhD in physiology and biophysics from the University of Washington. He completed two postdoctoral fellowships at the University of California, San Francisco that focused on the cellular and circuit mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and connectivity in epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disease. Howard’s research has delved into ion channel function, neurotransmitter receptors, molecular signaling, learning and memory, and neural development and plasticity. In the Howard Neuro Lab, he uses his extensive background in cellular neurophysiology to understand mechanisms of genetic epilepsies. Welcome to the team, Dr. Howard!
June 12, 2024, Filed Under: NewsDave Clarke, MD, Organizes United Nations 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) Session Clarke speaking at SIDS4 session Dave Clarke, MD, professor of neurology and chief of the Dell Children’s Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Center, organized and moderated the session “Addressing Deficits, Deficiencies, and Inequities in Managing Epilepsy in Small Island Developing States” at the United Nations’ fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), on May 27 at the American University of Antigua in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. The aim of the conference, whose 2024 theme was “charting the course toward resilient prosperity,” is for international communities to propose solutions that help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) achieve sustainable development and resilience, as their geography presents unique challenges for their communities and economies. These challenges range from environmental disasters such as hurricanes to limited natural resources, high import costs, reduced tourism following the pandemic, and disproportionate impact of global crises. People living with epilepsy in SIDS are affected by such challenges, which often create direct and indirect barriers to care. These barriers include limited health resources and fewer heath care providers, particularly during natural disasters. The SIDS4 session was created based on a UN proposal for a joint Antigua and Barbuda session on Care Delivery for Persons with Epilepsy, which calls for a targeted approach to addressing barriers to epilepsy care based on the WHO’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders (IGAP). The annual session aimed to address all five strategic objectives of IGAP, with a focus on Caribbean Islands and other SIDS: (1) raise policy prioritization to strengthen governance; (2) provide effective, timely, and responsive diagnosis, treatment, and care; (3) implement strategies for promotion and prevention; (4) foster research and innovation and strengthen information systems; and (5) strengthen the public health approach to epilepsy. Speakers included a representative of Antigua and Barbuda; Amza Ali, MD, director of the Epilepsy Centre of Jamaica and senior associate lecturer at the University of West Indies; Mishka Duncan, MD, pediatric neurologist at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital St. Vincent and the Grenadines and behavioral sciences lecturer at Saint James School of Medicine St. Vincent; Gaden Osborne, MD, consultant neurologist at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre; and Jaideep Kapur, MBBS, PhD, director of the University of Virginia Brain Institute and professor of neuroscience and neurology at UVA. Clarke opened the session with an introductory statement about epilepsy care and why it is fiscally and morally beneficial for governmental investment. Other topics included fiscal challenges in managing epilepsy, access challenges in the face of natural and man-made disasters, IGAP optimization, and social ills experienced by persons with epilepsy. Clarke concluded the session with a Q&A segment focused on sustainability of care and future engagement.
May 4, 2024, Filed Under: carousel, NewsClarke Honored as Kozmetsky Family Endowed Chair Dave F. Clarke, MD Dave F. Clarke, MD, is the inaugural recipient of the Kozmetsky Family Endowed Chair in Pediatric Epilepsy in recognition of his years of leadership, service, and research in the field of epilepsy. The position is funded by the Kozmetsky Family Foundation, a philanthropic investor whose trustees established it after their son benefited directly from Dr. Clarke’s care. This is the first endowed chair within our program. Dr. Clarke was honored with a dinner awards ceremony on April 4 in downtown Austin. Read the official announcement.
May 1, 2024, Filed Under: NewsEdmond Meets With Lawmakers for AAO Mid-Year Forum Jane Edmond, MD, advocating at Capitol Hill From April 17 to 20, pediatric neuro-ophthalmologist Jane Edmond, MD, president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, joined nearly 500 ophthalmologists from across the country for the AAO’s 2024 Mid-Year Forum and Congressional Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of the patients they serve and the profession. Edmond met with Congressional members to strengthen relationships crucial to the academy’s advocacy efforts and to inform health care policies that impact ophthalmology research, practice, and care. This year, Edmond and AAO members engaged Congress on topics such as pediatric access to eye care, prior authorization reform, increased research funding, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and engaging the next generation of ophthalmologists. Edmond also presented several legislators with the Visionary Award on behalf of the academy for their work in advancing high-quality eye care. Thank you for your dedication and hard work, Dr. Edmond!
April 13, 2024, Filed Under: carousel, NewsRegister for the 5th Annual Practical Pediatric Neuroscience Symposium Saturday, May 18, 20248:30 a.m – 2:50 p.m. CT (check-in at 8 a.m.)Dell Children’s Medical CenterSigne Auditorium4900 Mueller Blvd.Austin, TX 78723 UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s invites you to the 5th Annual Practical Pediatric Neuroscience Symposium. Designed for general pediatric practitioners, this event will feature interactive presentations by our faculty members, with topics ranging from concussion to emerging gene therapies for neuromuscular disease. Each presentation will provide specific techniques and evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and management of neurological conditions commonly encountered by the general pediatrician. Registration is available for in-person or virtual attendance. Information on continuing medical education credits, conflicts of interest, and all other event details are available on the registration site. Agenda Topics How Do We Serve the Less Well Served? Epilepsy Outreach, Dave Clarke, MDInfantile Spasms: Recognition and Management Updates, Kristen Arredondo, MDPediatric Neurosurgery for the General Practitioner, Elizabeth Tyler-Kabara, MD, PhDMigraine in the Pediatric Population: Emerging Treatment, Sara Pavitt, MDPrematurity: Neurodevelopmental Outcomes and Management, Leah Ferrante, MDIdentifying Psychotherapy Needs for Children with Neurological Disorders, Lindsey Elliott, PhDClinical Pearl: When Flintstones Aren’t Enough, Emily Ramirez, DOClinical Pearl: Late-Onset Dyslexia?, E. Steve Roach, MDPediatric Concussion, Cynthia Austin, PhDIntroduction to Adaptive Sports, Faheem Mahomed, MDDoes My Patient Have Neuromuscular Disease?, Vettaikorumakankav “Veda” Vedanarayanan, MD
March 2, 2024, Filed Under: carousel, NewsPediatric Neurosciences Hosts First Annual IMPRES Conference IMPRES panel discussion moderated by Dave Clarke, MD, with panelists (L to R) Ahmed Abdelmoity, MD, Priscilla Duong, PhD, and Sandi Lam, MD, MB The Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Center, in collaboration with Lurie Children’s Hospital and Corewell Health, presented the first Innovative Minds: Pediatric Research in Epilepsy Surgery (IMPRES) Conference held February 16-18 at the Hotel Van Zandt in downtown Austin. The IMPRES program focused on evidence-based research on pediatric epilepsy surgery and highlighted collaboration between pediatric epilepsy centers and programs. The national conference featured six sessions and 25 presentations on topics including the process of identifying surgical patients, surgical techniques, medical and dietary management, and adult transition. Each session concluded with moderated panel discussions. Rick Boop, MD, emeritus chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, former chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and a member of the St. Jude Global Program, delivered the keynote lecture on the history of epilepsy surgery. This year’s conference organizers were pediatric neurosciences faculty members Dave Clarke, MD, and Elizabeth Tyler-Kabara, MD, PhD; Sandi Lam, MD, MBA, of Lurie Children’s Hospital and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; and Daniel Arndt, MD, of Corewell Health. Planning is now underway for the second IMPRES conference. M. Omar Iqbal, MD, Rick Boop, MD, and Sandi Lam, MD, MBA, at an IMPRES reception
February 26, 2024, Filed Under: carousel, NewsSave the Date: 5th Annual Practical Pediatric Neuroscience Symposium UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s invites you to the 5th Annual Practical Pediatric Neuroscience Symposium on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Designed for general pediatric practitioners, this event will feature interactive presentations by several of our faculty members, with topics ranging from concussion to emerging gene therapies for neuromuscular disease. Each presentation will provide specific techniques and evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and management of neurological conditions commonly encountered by the general pediatrician. Registration for this hybrid event (in-person or virtual attendance) is free. Preregister now to be notified when registration is open. LocationDell Children’s Medical CenterSigne Auditorium4900 Mueller Blvd., Austin, TX 78723 Agenda Topics Access to epilepsy careAdaptive sportsConsulting a neurosurgeonEmerging gene therapies for neuromuscular diseaseIdentifying psychologists for patients with neurological disordersInfantile spasmsNeurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infantsNew-onset learning and attention problemsNew treatments for headache disordersPediatric concussionVitamin-responsive neurological disorders
February 13, 2024, Filed Under: carouselClinical Neurophysiology Fellow Publishes Vitamin-Dependent Genetic Disorders Review Emily Ramirez, DO Kristina Julich, MD Clinical neurophysiology fellow Emily L. Ramirez, DO, mentored by geneticist James Gibson and neurogenetics program chief Kristina Julich, MD, recently published a thorough review of the vitamin-responsive genetic disorders of childhood. Most neurologists are familiar with well-known disorders such as pyridoxine dependency and biotinidase deficiency, but Ramirez and colleagues also discuss many less well-known conditions, providing detailed information about each disorder’s clinical presentation, diagnosis, and optimal treatment. Not to be confused with simple vitamin deficiencies, vitamin-dependent disorders are genetic conditions that can be effectively treated with pharmacological doses of a vitamin. Vitamins play a critical role in neurologic, endocrinologic, psychiatric, developmental, and hematologic processes. Vitamins serve as cofactors for one or more enzymes, and for selected genetic disorders, supplementation with a key vitamin cofactor can dramatically alleviate the clinical manifestations of these conditions. Several vitamin-responsive conditions exist, and lifelong vitamin supplementation is generally the only effective therapy. This practical guide to a challenging but highly treatable group of genetic disorders is conveniently synthesized in a single article. Read “Vitamin-Dependent Genetic Disorders of Childhood” in Pediatrics in Review.
