Category: Innovative Care

New Frontiers for Neurosciences Research

Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center at Cook Children’s recently finalized a research relationship with the Department of Bioengineering at The University of Texas at Arlington. Funded by the Dodson Neuro Research Endowment, the Cook Children’s Neurosciences Research Center will add postdoctoral research fellows, Ph.D. students and interns to a growing team dedicated to neuroscience … Continue reading New Frontiers for Neurosciences Research

Renewed Hope: Novel Treatments for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Improving Outcomes

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease that presents as progressive muscle weakness secondary to loss of lower motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord. With an incidence of 1 in 10,000 live births, SMA is the most common genetic cause of death in infancy, but new treatments may soon … Continue reading Renewed Hope: Novel Treatments for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Improving Outcomes

New-Onset Seizure Clinic Seeks to Decrease Wait Time for Initial Evaluation

A child’s first unprovoked seizure is one of the most common problems referred to pediatric neurologists. This affects up to 40,000 children each year. While most of these patients will never have a second seizure, it is a frightening time for the family as they await diagnostic workup and neurology consultation. To help expedite care, … Continue reading New-Onset Seizure Clinic Seeks to Decrease Wait Time for Initial Evaluation

Physiatry Addition to Cook Children’s Comprehensive Neurorehabilitation Program

Cook Children’s Neurosciences Center has long provided comprehensive rehabilitation services to children through our state-of-the-art Neurorehabilitation Unit, Motion Lab, and multispecialty clinics for cerebral palsy, spasticity, movement disorders, stroke, and neuromuscular disease. Starting August 2019, Cook Children’s Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center will expand our neurorehabilitation services with the addition of Pediatric Physiatrist Kristen … Continue reading Physiatry Addition to Cook Children’s Comprehensive Neurorehabilitation Program

A Tandem Approach to Treating Craniosynostosis

At Cook Children’s, we feel the best way to correct a birth defect called craniosynostosis is with a little teamwork. The sutures on an infant’s skull are active areas of skull growth designed to accommodate the rapid growth of the neonate brain. In the first six months the head will grow about ½ to 1 … Continue reading A Tandem Approach to Treating Craniosynostosis

BE FAST to Recognize the Signs of Pediatric Stroke

Cook Children’s Stroke and Thrombosis Program co-directors Marcela Torres, M.D., Medical Director, Hematology Program, and Fernando Acosta Jr., M.D., Neurology, talk about the causes of pediatric stroke and the importance of the two specialties collaborating to improve awareness, diagnosis, treatment and risk of recurrence.

Advancements in Cancer Care: Brain Tumors and Children

The multidisciplinary Neuro-Oncology team at Cook Children’s is equipped to meet the unique medical needs of children plagued with brain tumors. According to the National Institutes of Health, brain tumors make up about 30 percent of all pediatric cancers. Whether treating tumors such as brainstem gliomas, neurofibromatosis or medulloblastoma, Cook Children’s remains committed to providing … Continue reading Advancements in Cancer Care: Brain Tumors and Children

Pioneering Surgery Disconnects Left Side of Brain To Stop Child’s Daily Seizures

Owen’s story begins at 8 months of age when his parents noticed weakness on his right side. His parents knew something wasn’t right with their son. They made an appointment for Monday with their pediatrician, but over the weekend they became afraid when they noticed Owen stopped using the right side of his body.   His parents … Continue reading Pioneering Surgery Disconnects Left Side of Brain To Stop Child’s Daily Seizures

Ensuring Quality Care for Adults With Rare Genetic Epilepsies

As recently as 10 years ago, many patients with difficult to control epilepsy syndromes – such as Lennox Gastaut Syndrome – had no explanation for the cause of their epilepsy. Worse than not knowing the cause, disorders such as Lennox Gastaut and other rare epilepsies had almost no treatments specifically studied for them and research … Continue reading Ensuring Quality Care for Adults With Rare Genetic Epilepsies