Cutting-Edge Treatments in West Virginia
For Ali Rezai , M . D ., the blood brain barrier ( BBB ) presents a significant challenge for treating brain disorders .
Preclinical studies have shown that magnetic resonance-guided low-intensity focused ultrasound can reversibly open the BBB and facilitate delivery of targeted brain therapeutics .
“ At the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute ( RNI ), our team uses the latest technologies to develop new treatment options for patients in West Virginia and nationwide ,” Rezai says . “ One example is focused ultrasound for treatment of tremors and Parkinson ’ s disease . Focused ultrasound is a nonsurgical outpatient procedure where we direct over 1,000 ultrasound beams to a pinpoint area in the brain to stop the
tremors . The results are instantaneous , and patients are able to go home within a few hours after the procedure .”
Seeing patients regain their function and quality of life is highly gratifying for Rezai and the team .
“ I am excited by the opportunity of our West Virginia team being on the cutting edge of innovation with first in the U . S . clinical trials ,” Rezai says . “ There is an urgency to help people and their families impacted by neurological and mental health conditions and to save lives . This is what motivates me and our team to work hard and make a difference to save more lives , improve patient care , advance neuroscience discoveries , improve quality of life and reduce the burden of disease . Our hope is that one day soon someone can declare , ‘ I am an Alzheimer ’ s or a Parkinson ’ s survivor .’”
220,000 patients annually in Morgantown and at 10 other hospitals , 19 outpatient clinics and over 50 telemedicine locations across West Virginia , Pennsylvania , Ohio and Maryland . Patients from 49 states come to the RNI for their neurological and mental health care .
“ Our team provides the most advanced , compassionate and holistic care that focuses on the needs of each individual person , helping with their physical , emotional and cognitive health and wellness in a coordinated fashion ,” Rezai says .
Rezai has had the opportunity to learn and work with some of the pioneers in neurosurgery , but he says some of his greatest mentors have been his patients .
“ Many of these patients have severe , intractable conditions and disabilities that have progressively taken away their quality of life , independence and occupational and social functioning ,” Rezai says . “ Despite these adversities , they are courageous and do not give up in their
quest to seek ways of getting better .”
While Rezai may have been recruited to the Mountain State , he was drawn to the passion , dedication and can-do attitude of the people .
“ The visionary leadership here at WVU is committed to creating worldclass patient care programs and an innovative neuroscience research hub in the heart of Appalachia ,” Rezai says . “ I am excited about the future potential of what can be done in West Virginia .”
While he has received innovation awards , patient care awards , teaching awards and was even named the Innovator of the Year from Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State University , Rezai says success begins with helping one person at a time .
“ Success is the teamwork that we have organized with close partnership to advance population health and wellness and neurological and mental health care management ,” Rezai says . •
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