Kessler Foundation’s James Sumowski, PhD, speaks at April 18-19 MS Symposium in Toronto
Dr. Sumowski will discuss ‘Brain reserve and cognitive reserve in multiple sclerosis
West Orange, NJ. April 17, 2013. James Sumowski, PhD, of Kessler Foundation is among the invited MS experts presenting at the 2013 University of Toronto Neuro-inflammation Symposium and endMS RRTC Retreat on Thursday, April 18, 2013 - Friday, April 19, 2013, 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM at the Chestnut Residence and Conference Centre in Toronto. Dr. Sumowski is a research scientist in Neuropsychology & Neuroscience Research, under the directorship of Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD. Drs. Sumowski and Chiaravalloti are on the faculty of the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School.
Dr. Sumowski’s presentation on April 19 will address ‘Brain reserve and cognitive reserve in multiple sclerosis: Independent and differential contributions of maximal lifetime brain growth and cognitively active lifestyles to cognitive status.’ This research is funded in part by National Institutes of Health (R00 HD060765 to JFS).
Relevant publications: Sumowski JF, Wylie GR, Chiaravalloti N, DeLuca J. Intellectual enrichment lessens the effect of brain atrophy on learning and memory in multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2010 Jun 15;74(24):1942-5.
Sumowski JF, Wylie GR, Leavitt VM, Chiaravalloti ND, DeLuca J. Default network activity is a sensitive and specific biomarker of memory in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2013 Feb;19(2):199-208.
About the Neuro-inflammation Symposium
This 4th annual interdisciplinary symposium will assemble neuroscientists and clinicians in a forum to discuss cutting-edge research related to neuro-degeneration and myelin repair. In recent years, much work has been devoted to understanding the mechanisms of axonal damage, and how to facilitate glial proliferation, maturation, and survival to preserve – or perhaps recover – neural function. Through platform and poster presentations, trainees are challenged to think beyond disease-specific mechanisms and to share insights ranging from findings generated from models of neurodegeneration and immune-mediated inflammation to MRI findings, cognitive outcomes and the efficacy of rehabilitation interventions in patients with CNS injury and multiple sclerosis.
About MS Research at Kessler Foundation
Kessler Foundation's cognitive rehabilitation research in MS is funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, National MS Society, Consortium of MS Centers, and Kessler Foundation. Under the leadership of John DeLuca, PhD, and Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, scientists in Neuropsychology & Neuroscience Research at Kessler Foundation have made important contributions to knowledge of cognitive decline in MS. Clinical studies span new learning, memory, executive function, attention and processing speed. Research tools include innovative applications of fMRI and virtual reality. Among recent findings are the benefits of cognitive reserve; correlation between cognitive performance and outdoor temperatures; the efficacy of short-term cognitive rehabilitation using modified story technique; and the correlation between memory improvement and cerebral activation on fMRI.
About Kessler Foundation
Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility and long-term outcomes, including employment, for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand opportunities for employment for people with disabilities. For more information, visit KesslerFoundation.org.
