IHRF

Speaker to Address Shunt Issues and Neural Hydrodynamic Disorders

John McGregor, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio

photo: Ohio State University

Shunts remain one of the few treatment options for intracranial hypertension. Many people with chronic IH face the decision of whether to undergo shunt surgery at some point. But the issues surrounding that decision—risks, benefits, type of shunt, valve choice, latest technology, surgeon selection—can often be daunting.

Those attending the 2008 IHRF Patient Conference in June will have the opportunity to hear and speak with John McGregor M.D, a recognized leader in neurosurgery and neurosurgical /intracranial hypertension research.

With extensive experience in both management of IH and shunt surgery in chronic intracranial hypertension patients, Dr.McGregor will be speaking in depth about when and for whom a shunt is appropriate; the risks, benefits and his experiences as a neurosurgeon, as well as the different types of shunts and the latest designs. He will also discuss the relationships between the neural hydrodynamic disorders of intracranial hypertension, hydrocephalus and Chiari malformations.

Dr. McGregor has lectured widely on chronic intracranial hypertension, both overseas and in the U.S. He is Director of the Cerebrospinal-Hemodynamics Laboratory at Ohio State University. His research interests include cerebrovascular and neuropsychological effects of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).

Currently, he is involved in research with Steve Katz, M.D.(another speaker at the 2008 IHRF Patient Conference). The project involves the biochemical analysis of anterior arachnoid granulations, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage areas of the brain, places where most researchers hypothesize that obstruction occurs, which then causes intracranial hypertension.

Dr. McGregor is also committed to academic excellence and to the next generation of physicians. He has twice been selected as the “Teacher of the Year” by Ohio State University.

For more information about the 2008 IHRF Patient Conference:
General Information, Registration, Conference Program

We are pleased to announce that our second patient conference, the 2008 IHRF Patient Conference, will be held Saturday, June 21-Sunday, June 22, 2008 at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, Texas.

This conference, which is the only conference designed especially for IH patients and their families, provides a special opportunity for you to hear from and directly ask questions to leaders in the field of IH research and treatment. You’ll also have the chance to meet other patients and families from around the country. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn the latest about IH research and treatment, and meet as a community affected by this disorder!

Conference Details
Registration is now open for the 2008 IHRF Patient Conference. The two-day conference will cover a wide variety of topics including an overview of the disorder and neural hydrodynamics, along with the latest news on treatment options, pediatric IH, weight management and IH research. Among the topics to be presented:

* The role of cerebrospinal fluid
* Neural hydrodynamic disorders: IH, Hydrocephalus and Chiari malformation
* What is chronic IH?
* Pediatric IH: an update
* Theories and current research on causation of IH
* Medical treatment options
* The IH headache and its management
* Optic nerve sheath decompressions
* Neurosurgical shunts
* The IH Registry and current research
* Weight management and bariatric surgery
* The role of neuro-imaging
* Latest research: hyposmia, pressure targets, etc.

Each day, the physicians and researchers who are making the presentations at the Conference, will also be available to answer questions from Conference attendees during panel discussions.

See The 2008 IHRF Patient Conference’s Complete Program

General Information
We’ve compiled information about Houston including hotels, transportation, driving directions and maps of the University of Texas to help you. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. Please note that the hotels listed in the link below will be holding rooms at a special discounted rate for Conference attendees only until the first week of June (specific dates are listed by each hotel description).

See General Information for The 2008 IHRF Patient Conference

Registration
The registration fee for the two-day conference (includes lunch, snacks, a June 21st reception and conference materials) is:

Before May 21st : $85.00 PER PERSON
After May 21st: $100.00 PER PERSON

Register for The 2008 IHRF Patient Conference

Looking for a fun way to get involved in the search for an IH cure? It’s not too late to join Katie, Darlene, Christina and the other members of the New England IH support group for a mall walk-a-thon to raise IH awareness and money for research. The walk-a-thon will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at the Mall at Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire. For more information, please contact Katie at 603.859.1092 or at

April 15, 2008—African Americans are more likely to lose vision as a result of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, according to a study published in a recent issue of the medical journal, Neurology.

“The racial difference does not appear to be based on differences in diagnosis, treatment or access to care,"said study author Beau Bruce, M.D., of Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. “The disease affects African Americans more aggressively. Doctors may need to monitor their African American patients more closely and take steps to prevent vision loss earlier than with other patients.”

For the study, researchers reviewed the medical records of all patients at Emory University with idiopathic intracranial hypertension during a 17-year period, from 1989-2006. Of the 450 patients, 197 were African American. There were also 246 whites, five Hispanics and two Asians in the study.

Obesity, systemic hypertension, anemia, and sleep apnea were more common in African American patients than in non-African American patients (p < /= 0.01). CSF opening pressure was higher in African American patients (40 vs 34 cm CSF, p < 0.001). Visual acuity, visual field loss, and degree of papilledema at presentation and follow-up were worse in African American patients (p < /= 0.01). Diagnostic and therapeutic measures were similar between African American patients and non- African American patients, except for optic nerve sheath fenestration (p = 0.01) and lumbar puncture (p = 0.03), both more commonly performed on African American patients.

The African American patients were 3.5 times more likely (95% CI 2.0 to 5.8, p < 0.001) to have severe vision loss in at least one eye, and 4.8 times more likely (95% CI 2.1 to 10.9, p < 0.001) to have severe vision loss in both eyes.

Bruce noted that the African Americans in the study had other risk factors, such as higher body mass index, higher frequency of anemia and higher CSF opening pressures than non-African American participants, and that these factors could partially account for the increased risk of vision loss.

END

Saturday, June 21, 2008

8:00-8:30 AM
Registration

8:30-8:40 AM
Welcome and Introduction
Amy Lois Tanne, Co-Founder, IHRF
Emanuel Tanne, M.D., Co-Founder, President, IHRF

8:40-9:10 AM
Cerebrospinal Fluid: The Incredible Voyage
Origin, Function and Outflow
Conrad Johanson Ph.D., Brown University Medical School

9:10-9:30 AM
Neural Hydrodynamic Disorders: Hydrocephalus, Intracranial
Hypertension and Chiari malformation
Relationships, Similarities and Differences
John McGregor M.D., Ohio State University

9:30-10:00 AM
Neurosurgical Shunts
•Part 1: To shunt or not to shunt?
Indications, Risks, Benefits and Outcomes
John McGregor M.D., Ohio State University

10:00-10:15 AM
Break

10:15-10:45 AM
Neurosurgical Shunts
•Part 2: Nuts and Bolts
Shunt Types and the Latest Designs
John McGregor M.D., Ohio State University

10:45-11:30 AM
Q & A Panel Discussion:
Morning speakers will be available to answer questions

11:30-12:30 PM
Lunch

12:30-1:00 PM
Current Theories on Causation of Intracranial Hypertension
and Present Research
Conrad Johanson, Ph.D., Brown University Medical School
1:00-1:10 PM Q&A

1:10-1:40 PM
What is Chronic Intracranial Hypertension?
Diagnosis of Primary (Idiopathic) and Secondary IH,
the Major and Minor Symptoms, and Other Findings
Steven Katz, M.D., Ohio State University
1:40 -1:50 PM Q&A

1:50-2:20 PM
Pediatric Intracranial Hypertension 102:
An Update
Mark Criden, M.D., University of Texas (Houston)
2:20-2:30 PM Q&A

2:30-2:45 PM
Break

2:45-3:15 PM
Medical Treatment:
Options and What Works
Steven Katz M.D., Ohio State University
3:15-3:25 PM Q&A

3:25-3:55 PM
Headaches Associated with Intracranial
Hypertension and Their Management
Leonard Hershkowitz, M.D., University of Texas (Houston)
3:55-4:05 PM Q&A

4:05-4:35 PM
Saving Sight: Optic Nerve Sheath Decompression
One Surgeon’s Personal Experience with 300 Procedures
Steven Katz M.D., Ohio State University

4:35-5:30 PM
Q & A Panel Discussion:
Morning and afternoon speakers
will be available to answer questions.

5:30-6:30 PM
Reception


Sunday, June 22, 2008

8:00-8:15 AM
Registration

8:15-8:25 AM
Announcements and Program Introduction
Emanuel Tanne, M.D., IHRF

8:25-8:45 AM
Making Research Happen:
the IH Registry Update
• Research Projects
• The Neuro-Imaging Library
• The NDRI-IHRF Rare Disease Alliance and Brain Donation Program
Emanuel Tanne, M.D., IHRF
8:45-8:55 AM Q&A

8:55-9:15 AM
Becoming an IH Ambassador
Raising IH Awareness in Your Community
Jessica Tanne,
Director, Communications & Development, IHRF
9:15-9:25 AM Q&A

9:25-9:55AM
Alphabet Soup: MRI, MRA, MRV, CT and Angio Defined
The Role of Neuro-Imaging and the Latest Developments
Simoneta, M.D., University of Texas (Houston)
9:55-10:05 AM Q&A

10:05-10:35AM
Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery :
Is it An Option for me?
• Types, Indication, Risks, Benefits and Outcomes
• The Texas Experience
Wilson, M.D., University of Texas (Houston)
10:35-10:45 AM Q&A

10:45-11:00 AM
Break

11:00-11:20 AM
New Research
•Part 1: Pressure Targets
Theory and Clinical Significance
Mark Criden, M.D., University of Texas (Houston)
11:20-11:30 AM Q&A

11:30-11:50 AM
New Research
•Part 2: Hyposmia (Decreased Sense of Smell)
and Intracranial Hypertension
Ophthalmology Resident., University of Texas (Houston)
Steven Katz, M.D., Ohio State University
Mark Criden, M.D., University of Texas (Houston)

11:50AM-12:45 PM
Q & A Panel Discussion:
Morning and afternoon speakers
will be available to answer questions.

General Information
The 2008 IHRF Patient Conference will take place at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Texas on Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22, 2008. The address is:

University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Medical School Building, Conference Room MSB1.006
6431 Fannin Street
Houston, Texas 77030

• For driving directions to the University of Texas Medical School at Houston:
http://www.tmcmaps.info/#

• For a map of the University of Texas Medical School:
http://publicaffairs.uth.tmc.edu/index/maps/index.html
http://publicaffairs.uth.tmc.edu/index/maps/campus_maps/msb_complex.html

Getting There
Houston has two airports, Hobby Airport (approximately 14 miles from the medical school) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (approximately 24 miles from the medical school). Both are served by major airlines; George Bush Intercontinental is the larger of the two airports. You can find out more information about the airports, ground transportation to Houston, as well as rental cars by visiting: http://www.fly2houston.com/home

• Transportation into Houston
Taxis, towncars, shuttles, rental cars, are available at both airports.
One option is Supershuttle: http://www.supershuttle.com/default.aspx?content=Houston
Reservations can be made in advance at (800) BLUE-VAN (800-258-3826). From Hobby, the cost per person is approximately $24.00. From George
Bush Intercontinental, the cost per person is approximately $27.00.

Driving Directions to the University of Texas Medical School from Hobby Airport
From Hobby Airport’s parking area, turn right on Broadway to I-45 North. Proceed to 610 West Loop. Exit at Fannin, turning right onto Fannin. When Fannin Street forks with Greenbriar, bear right to stay on Fannin. Stay in the right lane feeder to Holcombe and make the U-turn. Return to Pressler St. and park in the University Center Tower* garage at 7000 Fannin.

Driving Directions to the University of Texas Medical School from George Bush Intercontinental Airport
From Bush Intercontinental Airport’s Terminal Road, follow signs to Hwy. 59 South. Once on 59 South, proceed approximately 25 miles. Exit at Fannin. Turn left under Hwy. 59 onto Fannin. Just past the intersection with Pressler St., park in the University Center Tower* garage at 7000 Fannin.

*University Center Tower garage is closed on the weekends. Parking is available nearby in Garage 7, Garage 4 and at the Herman Professional Building Garage.

Hotels
There are many hotels available in the Houston downtown area. We have arranged to have blocks of rooms held at two hotels close to the medical school. Each hotel is offering a special rate for the conference, but you must mention that you are attending the IHRF Patient Conference to receive it.

The Hilton at Houston Plaza Medical Center
6633 Travis Street
Houston, Texas 77030
713-313-4000
www1.hilton.com

o IHRF Patient Conference rate:
$129/night
$139/night (with breakfast for one person)
$149/night (with breakfast for two people)

This rate is available for both Double and King rooms. To receive this rate, you must make your reservations using the local telephone number (listed above) for the hotel. Rooms at the Hilton for the Conference will be held until June 1, 2008.

o Shuttle Service available to Conference
o 100% non-smoking
o Pool and 8th-floor fitness center
o High-Speed Internet access
o Garden Court restaurant
o Parking available

Holiday Inn Hotel And Suites
6800 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77030
713-528-7744
http://www.hi-medcenter.com/index.htm

o IHRF Patient Conference Rate:
$85/night

To receive this rate, you must mention at the time of booking that you will be attending the IHRF Patient Conference. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites will be held until June 6, 2008.

o Shuttle service available to Conference
o Pool
o High-Speed Internet Access
o Kitchenette available in suites, restaurant on premises
o Parking available