Georgetown University, MedStar National Rehabilitation Network create unique brain center

Public release date: 12-Jul-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Karen Mallet km463@georgetown.edu Georgetown University Medical Center

WASHINGTON Georgetown University and MedStar National Rehabilitation Network announced today a new research and patient care partnership that extends the boundaries of neuroscience. The new Center for Brain Plasticity and Recovery marks the launch of a rare research continuum spanning basic and translational science in brain recovery.

The Center for Brain Plasticity and Recovery focuses on the study of neural plasticity, the biological process that underlies the brain's ability to learn and develop. Researchers say plasticity offers a powerful recovery tool in conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. By understanding brain plasticity mechanisms, scientists can broaden the research focus on finding ways to reverse the effects of neurological damage and disease.

"Breakthroughs on these important challenges are within our grasp but require a highly interdisciplinary approach that is still rare among top research universities, largely because of the traditional organization of disciplines and the physical separations among the arts and sciences, basic neurosciences, and medical and educational applications," says Howard J. Federoff, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president for health sciences at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) and executive dean of Georgetown's School of Medicine.

"This unique interdisciplinary approach will harness Georgetown's strengths in the sciences and humanities, including linguistics, foreign languages, psychology and philosophy, and match them with MedStar NRH's clinical and patient care expertise," says Michael Yochelson, M.D., MBA, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at MedStar NRH.

Borne of a multi-year strategic planning process, the Center for Brain Plasticity and Recovery is a top priority for GUMC. Georgetown University Medical Center is committed to advancing scientific understanding and human health through biomedical research, particularly neuromedicine, as part of the university's $1.5 billion fundraising campaign.

"This project is a continuation of the partnership that existed between MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and GU," says M. Joy Drass, M.D., executive vice president of operations for MedStar Health, Washington region. "This partnership now extends to all of MedStar Health with our patients being the beneficiaries."

Elissa Newport, Ph.D., a professor of neurology at Georgetown, will serve as director of the Center for Brain Plasticity. Alexander Dromerick, M.D., a professor of rehabilitation medicine and associate medical director for research at MedStar NRH, will serve as co-director.

"Significant gains in neuroscience research are attainable by bringing together teams of scientists and clinicians -- a rare interdisciplinary integration of neuroscience research across the spectrum, from genetic and molecular to behavioral and cognitive levels of analysis, bridging basic science and clinical application," says Newport.

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Georgetown University, MedStar National Rehabilitation Network create unique brain center