NEUROSCIENCEFALL 2020NEWSLETTER

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTORS

As the field of neuroscience continues to evolve with exciting advancements in research, technology and treatment, Hackensack Meridian Health remains at the forefront. Our network’s three Neuroscience Institutes at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), JFK University Medical Center (JFK) and Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) are committed to shaping the future of neurology and neurosurgery — and providing life-changing neurological care to patients throughout New Jersey’s communities.

Our physicians are participating in national and international clinical trials and performing groundbreaking independent research, providing patients with access to some of the most advanced treatment options for a range of neurological conditions. Additionally, our surgeons use state-of-the-art technology to perform complex surgical procedures, often using the latest minimally invasive or noninvasive approaches. Recently, the Neuroscience Institutes at HUMC and JFK initiated research to uncover the neurological manifestations and complications of COVID-19 by evaluating COVID-19 patients.

But even more crucial to our success is the caliber of our providers, who continually push the boundaries of what is possible and achieve national and international recognition for their transformative contributions to neuroscience. Our team remains committed to enhancing neurological care — both throughout New Jersey and around the world.

Sincerely,

Alan Colicchio, M.D.Chairman of Neuroscience Institute, Jersey Shore University Medical Center

Thomas Steineke, M.D., Ph.D.Chair of JFK Neuroscience Institute, JFK University Medical Center

Florian Thomas, M.D., M.A., Ph.D., M.S. Chair, Department of Neurology and the Neuroscience InstituteHackensack University Medical Center Founding Chair of Neurology at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine

Neuroscience Fall 2020

AWARDS, ACCOLADES AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Hackensack University Medical CenterJ HUMC is certified by The Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center and earned Joint Commission Disease-Specific Certifications for Parkinson’s disease and brain tumor. J The MS Center was accredited by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for its comprehensive interprofessional approach.J The Hereditary Neuropathy Center was accredited by the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation. J HUMC’s Epilepsy Center is accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers as a Level IV Epilepsy Center.J At the 71st American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in May 2019, Florian Thomas, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Neuroscience Institute and the Department of Neurology at Hackensack University Medical Center, was recognized for two abstracts, “Efficacy and Safety of PXT3003 in Patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A: Results of PLEO-CMT, an International Pivotal Phase 3 Trial”, and “Results of the Dose Escalation Portion of a Phase 2 Study of ACE-083, a Local Muscle Therapeutic, in Patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease”. J In 2020, HUMC’s Neuroscience Institute opened its ALS Center and Brain Health and Dementia Center, both of which provide patients in New Jersey with convenient access to the most promising therapies. The ALS Center has been accredited by the Northeast ALS Consortium.

Jersey Shore University Medical Center J JSUMC is certified by the Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center.J The ALS Treatment Center is one of only two centers in New Jersey to earn national recognition from the ALS Association.J JSUMC is recognized as a Level 4 epilepsy center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers.J JSUMC’s Craniofacial and Cleft Palate Center earned national certification from the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, one of only six certified centers in the state and the only in our network. The center is led by co-directors Lawrence Daniels, M.D., and Francesco Gargano M.D.J JSUMC’s MS Center is a Partner in MS Care by the National MS Society. Partners in MS Care are health care providers who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in treating patients with MS. J The Center for Treatment of Paralysis & Reconstructive Nerve Surgery at JSUMC provides some of the most advanced surgical treatment of paralysis and nerve injuries in the world today.

Neuroscience Fall 2020

AWARDS, ACCOLADES AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS (CONTINUED)

JFK University Medical CenterJ JFK is certified by the Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center.J JFK’s Brain and Spine Tumor Institute is nationally recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Society for NeuroOncology and the American Neurological Association. J The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at JFK’s Neuroscience Institute is recognized as a Level 4 epilepsy center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers.J The Huntington’s Disease Unit at JFK Hartwyck at Cedar Brook is a member of the Huntington’s Study Group, an international consortium of centers that specialize in Huntington’s. The center is one of only a few — and the first of its kind — in New Jersey.J JFK is part of the Parkinson Study Group, an international consortium of medical centers that specialize in treating Parkinson’s disease.J Joseph Landolfi, D.O., director of Neuro-oncology and Radiosurgery at JFK Medical Center, is a recipient of the Gary Lichtenstein Humanitarian Award by the nationally recognized Voices Against Brain Cancer organization.

RESEARCH AND CLINICAL TRIALS

Throughout the Hackensack Meridian Health network, our neuroscience experts are at the forefront of neurological care, offering access to the latest clinical trials and most advanced therapies for a range of conditions. Clinical trials and research include:

COVID-19 ResearchHackensack Meridian Health neuroscientists on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic are working to obtain greater understanding of how the coronavirus can impact the nervous system — from confusion and delirium to headache, loss of sense and smell, seizures, stroke, spinal cord, peripheral nerve and muscle involvement.Florian P. Thomas, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Neurology at the Neuroscience Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center and at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, has initiated research to uncover the neurologic manifestations and complications of COVID-19 by evaluating COVID-19 patients for neurological involvement. Thomas Steineke, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of Neurosurgery and Chair of the Neuroscience Institute at JFK University Medical Center, is also participating in the research. Hackensack University Medical CenterJ HUMC is one of a few U.S. medical centers participating in the RESTORE-1 Phase 2 Clinical Study, an investigational gene therapy trial for patients with Parkinson’s disease. Hooman Azmi, M.D., director of the Division of Movement Disorders at Hackensack University Medical Center’s Neuroscience Institute, performed the first such surgery on October 7, 2019.J Florian Thomas, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Neuroscience Institute and the Department of Neurology at Hackensack University Medical Center, is the lead investigator for Phase II and Phase III international clinical trials that seek to establish, for the first time, medications to treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth hereditary neuropathies.

Neuroscience Fall 2020

RESEARCH AND CLINICAL TRIALS (CONTINUED)

Hackensack University Medical Center (continued)J The Brain and Spine Institute at the John Theurer Cancer Center, directed by Samuel A. Goldlust, M.D. and George J. Kaptain, M.D. continues to pave the way as a national leader in brain tumor care and innovation. The institute has conducted over 25 clinical trials for brain cancer over the past decade, facilitating access to cutting edge treatments for NJ residents. The Institute is proud to announce its latest clinical trial in glioblastoma of selexinor, a selective inhibitor of nuclear export (SINE), which works by inhibiting transport of proteins crucial to cancer cell growth.

Jersey Shore University Medical Center JSUMC is participating in research to investigate a full spectrum of neurosurgery treatment options, including:J A Pfizer study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Staphylococcus aureus 4-antigen vaccine (Sa4ag) in adults undergoing elective open posterior spinal fusion procedures with multilevel instrumentation. J A Zimmer Biomet Avenue T TLIF Cage trial. Avenue T advances posterior lumbar cage technology by incorporating VerteBRIDGE plating, which facilitates simplified cage insertion and zero-profile, intradiscal fixation through a direct, minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approach. J A study with Medtronic spinal cord stimulation, which uses electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain of the back, arms and legs. J Research on Nevro’s next-generation spinal cord stimulation system, an evidence-based, nonpharmacologic neuromodulation platform for the treatment of chronic pain.

JFK University Medical CenterJ The JFK University Medical Center Stroke and Neurovascular Center was a key participant in the landmark DAWN™ trial (May 2017), a multi-center investigation that delivered compelling evidence that more patients suffering ischemic stroke may benefit from endovascular treatment. Under the leadership of Jawad Kirmani, M.D., the JFK University Medical Center Stroke and Neurovascular Center was one of the few programs in the country to demonstrate success with tPA for stroke more than four hours after stroke onset.J Dr. Kirmani also leads the Pisces III clinical trial – JFK is one of only five surgical sites conducting this trial which investigates the neurological recovery after intracerebrail injections of neural stem stells in post stroke patients. J Led by Joseph Landolfi, M.D., JFK is participating in in national clinical trials in neuro-oncology including: J A Phase II Study of Ad-RTS-hIL-12 + Veledimex in Combination with Cemiplimab-rwlc (Libtayo®) in Subjects with Recurrent or Progressive Glioblastoma. J The STELLAR Study, a Phase 3, Randomized, Open-Label Study To Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Eflornithine with Lomustine Compared to Lomustine Alone in Patients with Anaplastic Astrocytoma That Progress/Recur After Irradiation and Adjuvant Temozolomide Chemotherapy.

Neuroscience Fall 2020

Neuroscience Fall 2020

ADVANCEMENTS IN NEUROSCIENCE

Our neurosurgeons are pioneers in the latest surgical techniques, combining the latest technology and minimally invasive or noninvasive interventional approaches to perform complex procedures. Our teams also offer patients the latest treatment options and medications for a variety of neurological conditions. Our advanced neurological treatment options and neurosurgical technology includes:

Hackensack University Medical Center: Mazor Robotics TechnologyHUMC is the first hospital in New Jersey to offer Mazor Robotics Renaissance® minimally invasive spine surgery. Mazor Robotics technology has been clinically validated to ensure 1.5mm accuracy for increased patient safety as compared to freehand spine surgery. Before entering the operating room, surgeons use Renaissance to pre-plan the optimal surgery in a CT-based 3D simulation of the patient’s spine. During surgery, Renaissance guides the surgeon’s hand and tools to the precise pre-planned location.

Offering The First FDA-Approved Intravenous Treatment for Migraine PreventionLed by Regina Krel, M.D. at HUMC, we now offer patients the first FDA-approved intravenous treatment to help prevent migraine pain before it starts. VYEPTI is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) blocker for migraine prevention. Patients receive 30-minute IV treatments 4 times per year (every 3 months), with patients seeing improvements as early as the first infusion.

JFK University Medical Center: Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Virtual Reality TechnologyInternationally known neurosurgeon Gregory J. Przybylski, M.D., is pioneering minimally invasive spine surgery that combines decompression with or without fusion, performing a microsurgical procedure that relies on newer sophisticated instrumentation and refined techniques. Dr. Przybylski and his team have found that the reduced trauma of minimally invasive approaches may result in safer, more effective outcomes. Additionally, JFK is the first in New Jersey — and one of only 20 centers nationally — to use the Precision Virtual Reality medical visualization platform by Surgical Theatre™ in independent research. The platform uses CT or MRI scans to reconstruct patients’ anatomy, enhancing pre-surgical planning and patient education.

Jersey Shore University Medical Center: Novel Coil Procedure for Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Inspire Therapy Neurosurgeon Pinakin Jethwa, M.D., — one of only a few neurosurgeons in the country who is fellowship-trained in both open cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery — is using minimally invasive technology, including a new coil procedure to remove AVMs, that is showing promise in potentially revolutionizing the future treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage. Accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the sleep center at JSUMC offers patients a unique solution for patients with sleep apnea – Inspire Therapy. This technology allows for patients to sleep comfortably throughout the night, without having to use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure device). This sleep therapy uses a small, lightweight device that is surgically implanted under the skin and works with a patient’s natural breathing process.

Nonsurgical Back Pain ReliefLed by Patrick Roth, M.D., a team of physiatrists, pain management physicians and neurosurgeons at HUMC are working together to explore nonsurgical approaches to relieve chronic back pain, including a spinal care treatment plan that emphasizes core strengthening and embodied cognition (the mind-body connection). Patients who are prescribed the nonsurgical treatment plan also receive a copy of Dr. Roth’s book, The End of Back Pain, to provide further information and guidance on the embodied cognition and core strengthening treatment approach.

UPCOMING CME EVENTSSave the Dates:Live Now – JSUMC is hosting the 2020 Virtual Stroke Lecture Series. This program is now available online and will help you complete most of the mandatory CME requirements for Stroke Education. Registration and course participation is accessed through JSUMCOnlineCE.com. This activity will be available online through April 2021.

NEUROSCIENCE SERVICES OFFERED

Service Offering

ALS Concussion Craniofacial Dementia & Memory DisordersEpilepsy Headache Hereditary Neuropathy Multiple Scleroris Neurosurgery Paralysis and Reconstructive Nerve Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Pediatric Neurosurgery Sleep Spine Surgery Stroke

Neuroscience Fall 2020

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