ALS
Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin are a member of the Great Lakes ALS Study Group, a consortium of 15 academic neurologists in medical centers in the Midwest pursuing ALS research. Paul Barkhaus, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin neurologist, specializes in ALS and is actively pursuing clinical research that is expected to help improve understanding of the disease, as well as offer potential treatment alternatives. Currently, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin are launching a National Institutes of Health-sponsored, multicenter drug study to treat ALS. This trial will test the efficacy of a drug, called IGF-1, which may help patients maintain strength longer by promoting the growth of motor nerves. Dr. Barkhaus and colleagues from New York and Sweden are also testing a new technique to measure the ratio of motor neurons to muscle fibers. They hope this "motor unit index" or "MUNIX" will provide a better understanding of how the disease progresses and offer an objective, specific measure of the effectiveness of ALS drugs and other therapies.
Alzheimer's Disease
The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Memory Disorders Program is internationally recognized for its research on early risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and for developing new neuro-imaging techniques for detecting the disease before clinical symptoms are evident. Physician-scientists at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin are actively involved in the search for new and more effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease and associated memory disorders.
Autonomic Disorders
The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Neuromuscular Program is committed to rigorous research on autonomic disorders. Currently, we are exploring methods for improving diagnostic technology and drug treatments.
Brain Injury
The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Brain Injury Program is involved in developing new methods to monitor the physiological and biochemical changes that occur in the brain after brain injury. This work uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), an advanced, noninvasive technique that produces detailed images of the brain very quickly, allowing specialists to track brain activity over time.
MS
The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Multiple Sclerosis Clinic is a recognized research leader. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a non-invasive method of examining specific areas of brain function, researchers in the program are currently investigating cognitive dysfunction associated with MS. Another project is examining autonomic and other aspects of fatigue, the most common symptom associated with MS, to try to determine what causes the fatigue and identify effective interventions.
Neuromuscular Disorders
The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Neuromuscular Program is committed to rigorous research on neuromuscular disorders. Currently, program physician-scientists are conducting a clinical trial of an intravenous chemotherapy drug, called rituximab, for patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (a condition in which abnormal proteins in the blood erode nerve endings, causing numbness, tingling or pain).
Neuropsychology
The Medical College of Wisconsin was one of three medical centers to develop fMRI in 1992. Since then, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin have become an international leader in functional neuro-imaging, as reflected in more than $44 million dollars in federal and foundation grants. Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin neuropsychologists are research leaders in functional neuro-imaging studies of memory, language, movement, and attention in clinical populations including head trauma, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Studies conducted at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin have found that fMRI and Wada testing can predict cognitive outcome after epilepsy surgery. For more information on fMRI, go to the Medical College of Wisconsin Functional Imaging Research Center (FIRC) site.
Parkinson's Disease
The specialists at the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Movement Disorders Program are part of the Parkinson's Study Group, a worldwide coalition of neurologists who participate in multisite research on Parkinson's disease.
Two multisite trials are currently underway:
The PRECEPT study tests an investigational medication to determine if it can delay the progression of Parkinson's disease symptoms. Currently, we are testing the medication in people with early Parkinson's disease. For more information about the PRECEPT study, please call 1-800-57 STUDY.
We are also participating in a study titled Parkinson's Research: The Organized Genetic Initiative (PROGENI). This study is being conducted to study genetic and other risk factors, which may be important in the development of Parkinson's disease. To participate, families must include two living siblings affected with Parkinson's disease. For more information about the PROGENI study, please call 1-888-830-6299
Research
The Medical College of Wisconsin is one of 11 U.S. medical centers designated major hubs in a new national network for emergency stroke, seizure, spinal cord and brain injury research. Learn more at mcw.edu, the Web site for the Medical College.
Sleep Disorders
The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Sleep Disorders Center is committed to rigorous clinical research on sleep disorders. Primarily a clinical research facility, we are currently conducting research on airway physiology and pathophysiology in sleep.
ThinkFirst
The ThinkFirst program is a free, school-based injury prevention program. This award-winning program is coordinated by the ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation.