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| Vol. 24, No. 1 |
| January 15, 2002 |
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Huntington’s Disease Symposium Jan. 26 by ANISSA ANDERSON ORR Baylor College of Medicine Baylor College of Medicine will host a symposium on Huntington’s Disease Jan. 26 at the Houston Marriott Medical Center Hotel, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The program will highlight scientific and treatment advances in Huntington’s Disease. Huntington’s is a rare hereditary disease characterized by quick involuntary movements, speech disturbances, and mental deterioration due to degenerative changes in the brain. There is currently no cure for the disease. The Huntington Disease Center, a joint project between Baylor College of Medicine and The Methodist Hospital, was recently selected by the Huntington’s Disease Society of America as its 2001 Center of Excellence. Dr. Joseph Jankovic, professor of neurology and director of the Movement Disorders Clinic and co-director of the Huntington Disease Center at Baylor, will direct the symposium and give an overview on Huntington’s Disease and its prognosis. Morning sessions include lectures by Dr. Tetsuo Ashizawa, co-director of the Huntington’s Disease Center, on how Huntington’s Disease affects the brain; Dr. Martha Nance, director of the Huntington Disease Center of Excellence at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, on diagnosing Huntington’s Disease and genetic testing; and Dr. William Ondo, professor of neurology at Baylor, on current and evolving treatments for Huntington’s Disease. Kim Krahn with the Huntington’s Disease Society of America will talk about the organization’s advocacy efforts at a lunch presentation from noon to 1:30 p.m. Representatives from the Texas Department of Insurance, care managers and social workers will moderate breakout sessions on caring for people with Huntington’s Disease from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Breakout support group sessions for people affected by Huntington’s Disease will be from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. A panel discussion led by Dr. Ron Tintner, assistant professor of neurology at Baylor; Christine Hunter, a research nurse in the department of neurology; and Katie Plunkett, a social worker, concludes the symposium. The symposium is open to anyone touched by Huntington’s disease including patients, family, friends and health care professionals who treat patients with the disease. Cost is $25 for patients or family members and $65 for health care professionals. Fees include continental breakfast, morning and afternoon breaks and lunch. To register, call (832) 822-4295.
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