Neurodevelopmental and Birth Defects Research: More Than Just Brain Development
.jpg "Genetic researcher Dr. Daniel Doherty")
Genetic researcher Dr. Daniel Doherty
Featured in interaction, June 2006 (PDF)
"Spina bifida" is a term that can refer to any number of symptomatic or asymptomatic spinal cord and brain malformations, including myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus.
When Dr. David B. Shurtleff of Seattle Children's and the University of Washington began his research on myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus over 45 years ago, the death rate for children was 90% by age 3.
Thanks to his work and that of other leaders in the field, there is now a 90% rate of survival to adulthood. This is just one of the success stories stemming from the work of neurodevelopmental/birth defects researchers at Children's.
Broadly defined, neurodevelopmental research is concerned with the interplay of biology, environment and social milieu that underlie child development.
Neurodevelopmental research spans from investigation of gene control of prenatal brain development to the creation of quality-of-life measures for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
The work of the Children's neurodevelopmental/birth defects research team reflects the breadth and diversity of this fascinating field.
A Diverse Discipline
The program encompasses the work of numerous mentees of Dr. David B. Shurtleff.
These include Dr. William Walker Jr., clinic chief, who participates in two grants for the study of spina bifida from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities in cooperation with the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD-NCBDD).
Dr. Ronald Lemire has contributed many insights on brain malformations in the embryo. Dr. Daniel Doherty studies prenatal diagnoses of malformations of the cerebellum and has just received a K12 award to lead more studies on posterior fossa malformations.
Dr. Samuel Zinner has the largest grant ever awarded specifically for the study of Tourette syndrome.
Dr. Samuel Zinner has the largest grant ever awarded specifically for the study of Tourette syndrome by the AUCD-NCBDD for his work on this often misunderstood disorder.
Research Coordinator Dr. Kristie Bjornson's research is focused on developing a reliable quality of life measure for children with cerebral palsy.
Dr. Bjornson and Dr. John F. McLaughlin have new funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for studies of oral baclofen in the management of spasticity in small children.
Dr. McLaughlin is also involved in the Child Motor Study Group, an international consortium of individuals studying the movement disorders associated with cerebral palsy beyond spasticity and dystonia.
Dr. Gwen Glew, the current fellow, is studying the effects of massage on spasticity. Dr. Charles Cowan works on issues related to autism, and is an outspoken advocate for those children.
Dr. Nora Davis directs the Infant Apnea Program and has done research on sudden infant death syndrome. Many of these devoted researchers are supported by Research Assistant Vanessa Pinedo White.
Leading the Way
The researchers within the Neurodevelopmental Program at Children's are the lead advocates for the relatively new field of Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics.
As the field grows, a new wave of researchers are approaching neurodevelopmental issues from the clinical angle, investigating new ways of improving children's lives.
According to Program Director Dr. McLaughlin, Children's researchers put the field on the map, and there is "no question, the best developmental pediatricians are here."