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Black Tie
International:
Helmsley Charitable
Trust
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John Codey, at the lectern, trustee of the Leona M. and
Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust of New York, presents a
$6.3 million grant to the University of Louisville as, from
right to left, Dr. Jonathan Hodes, Dr. Susan Harkema and
Dr. David Dunn look on.
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HELMSLEY
CHARITABLE TRUST GRANTS $6.3 MILLION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF
LOUISVILLE FOR NEUROSURGERY RESEARCH
Grant moves "Charting Our Course" campaign total past $600
million |
LOUISVILLE, Ky. May 15, 2012- The University of Louisville
has received $6.3 million from the Leona M. and Harry B.
Helmsley Charitable Trust of New York to support research in
the Department of Neurological Surgery and the Kentucky
Spinal Cord Injury Research Center at UofL. Researchers at
UofL are developing the next generation of technology to
help paralyzed people regain movement in their limbs and
enhance their quality of life.
In May 2011, Susan
Harkema, Ph.D., professor of neurological surgery, and
Jonathan Hodes, M.D., chair of neurological surgery, and
their colleagues published a study in The Lancet
demonstrating that the use of continual direct electrical
stimulation of a patient's lower spinal cord using "off the
shelf" technology designed for pain relief can allow a
person to go from being wheelchair-bound to being able to
stand, remain standing and bear weight. Researchers at the
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and California
Institute of Technology (Cal Tech) collaborated on the
study.
Since that time, the team has replicated its findings in at
least two more patients, and the Helmsley Charitable Trust
grant will help the team develop the technology needed to
advance the research. Researchers from UofL, UCLA, Cal Tech
and Case Western Reserve are involved in the development of
the new technology.
"One of the biggest issues we face is the limitations
imposed by the technology," Harkema said. "We need to
develop the next generation of electrical stimulator
containing the best possible circuitry and a new control
system so that patients can have the ability to take
advantage of this therapy at home and in their communities.
Currently, it is limited to use in the laboratory here in
Louisville."
"This most generous grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust
enables our researchers within the Department of
Neurological Surgery and the Speed School of Engineering,
and their colleagues at prestigious institutions across the
country to move forward with the goal of improving the lives
of millions of people," said UofL President James R. Ramsey.
"This grant recognizes the innovative work taking place at
UofL. Through this support and the work of our researchers
and their subjects, we will continue to translate science
into applications that transform people's lives."
"We're
excited that this work has already proven what many thought
was impossible: patients with absolutely no motor function
can stand and step with assistance," said John Codey,
trustee of the Helmsley Trust. "We hope the innovative work
conducted by the faculty and staff of the University of
Louisville and its partners continues to advance the
technology and research base needed to treat more patients,
resulting in improved outcomes."
In the paper from May, Harkema and her colleagues
demonstrated that continual direct epidural electrical
stimulation of the subject's lower spinal cord mimics
signals the brain normally transmits to initiate movement.
Once that signal is given, the research shows, the spinal
cord's own neural network combined with the sensory input
derived from the legs to the spinal cord is able to direct
the muscle and joint movements required to stand and step
with assistance on a treadmill.
The other crucial component of the potential therapy is an
extensive regime of intensive physical therapy training
called Locomotor Training while the spinal cord is being
stimulated and the subject suspended over the treadmill.
Assisted by rehabilitation specialists, an individual's
spinal cord neural network is retrained to produce the
muscle movements necessary to stand and to take assisted
steps.
More than 5 million Americans live with some form of
paralysis, defined as a central nervous system disorder
resulting in difficulty or inability to move the upper or
lower extremities. More than 1.275 million are spinal cord
injured, and of those many are completely paralyzed in the
lower extremities.
Relief from secondary complications of complete spinal cord
injury including impairment or loss of bladder
control, sphincter control and sexual response could prove
to be even more significant.
Grant moves UofL campaign past $600 million
This grant has added significance for the University of
Louisville, as it pushes past $600 million the amount raised
during the Charting Our Course comprehensive campaign, which
has a goal of $1 billion by 2014.
"The support we have received from throughout the country
has been extraordinary," said Keith Inman, vice president
for university advancement at UofL. "People understand that
UofL is working to transform people's lives, whether it be
through innovative educational programs and opportunities,
dynamic research that improves the health and well-being of
citizens, or a professionally nurturing work environment."
"The University of Louisville's mission is to become a
nationally recognized metropolitan research university that
changes people's lives," Ramsey said. "To accomplish this
goal, we must have the resources to attract and retain the
best and brightest students, faculty and staff. Individuals
and organizations throughout the country believe in what we
are doing here at UofL and demonstrate their commitment to
our excellence. We cannot thank each and every one enough."
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires
to improve lives by supporting effective nonprofits in
health and medical research, social services, education, and
conservation. The Trust, established in 1999, is
administered by four trustees selected by Leona Helmsley. As
a continuation of Mr. and Mrs. Helmsley's generous giving
throughout their lifetimes, the Trust supports a diverse
range of organization and has committed more than $540
million in grants to charitable organizations since 2008.
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