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 Brain Injury Program at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin provides comprehensive, continuous care to patients with brain injuries. State-of-the-art intensive care, medical and surgical techniques and rehabilitation therapies are provided by a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
The most advanced brain imaging technology, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), are used to monitor physiological and biochemical changes that may occur in the brain after injury and aid in evaluating and treating these injuries. The best possible treatment options are offered based on research and clinical trials. The brain injury rehabilitation program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), a designation that recognizes its adherence to strict requirements for hospital programs providing comprehensive rehabilitation services.
Epilepsy
The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin is the only epilepsy program in the state of Wisconsin and one of only three programs in the country accredited by the Joint Commission as a Center of Excellence. It is designated as a Level 4 epilepsy center, the highest ranking by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers.
The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program offers a multidisciplinary approach. A team of epilepsy specialists provide highly personalized care to patients and their families.The experience and expertise of physicians and staff, along with advanced diagnostic and treatments options, like the MEG, make the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program unlike any other in the region. The MEG, an advanced brain imaging tool, greatly improves pinpointing the location of seizures. Research has spawned new anti-epileptic drugs, surgical techniques and alternative therapies that allow many people with epilepsy to lead lives that are no longer overshadowed by the fear of seizures.
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 Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Program at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin offers the most comprehensive care from evaluation through treatment and support available in the region, helping people with movement disorders live fuller lives. We are the only program in the region and the largest program in the state to offer Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Surgery.
The highly specialized multidisciplinary team uses an evidence-based approach to evaluate and treat the entire range of movement disorders from the common to the rare. This team is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who face these challenges. Because movement disorders don’t just affect the person who is diagnosed, the program actively involves family members in all aspects of care.
Research
Advanced diagnostic tools using the latest technology and breakthrough treatment options are available to patients at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin based on the research and clinical trials being done. We are one of the top ten academic medical centers designated as a major hub in a national network for emergency stroke, seizure, spinal cord and brain injury research. Learn more at mcw.edu.
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.
SpineCare
Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin’s SpineCare Program is an outpatient program that provides individualized care for people with acute spine disorders caused by injury or illness. In 2010, SpineCare was recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in its new Back Pain Recognition Program. SpineCare is one of only two clinics in southeastern Wisconsin whose physicians and chiropractors have been recognized for delivering superior care for people suffering from low back pain.
The exceptional treatment program uses an evidence-based approach with low surgical intervention for the best possible outcomes safely, effectively and for the long term. In a recent evaluation of the program, 88 percent of our patients returned to their work duties within 6 months.
Stroke
Time, experience and expertise make all the difference in the treatment of stroke. Not all hospitals have staff experienced in providing the latest, most effective stroke therapies. As a regional leader, we offer the fastest, most comprehensive and advanced care by the 24-hour a day Froedtert Acute Stroke Team (FAST).
The Stroke and Neurovascular Program at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin was the first in the state to receive certification as a Primary Stroke Center. Today, our diagnostic, stroke prevention and risk management protocols consistently exceed national standards of care for stroke established by the Joint Commission and the University Health System consortium. We consistently achieve the highest level of recognition from the American Stroke Association on an annual basis.
We offer the only dedicated Neuro-Intensive Care Unit in the state of Wisconsin and the only program staffed by full time fellowship-trained neuro-intensivists. Our CARF-accredited Stroke Rehabilitation Program is the only program in the state to be accredited in Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Brain Injury and comprehensive rehabilitation.