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January 31, 2008 -- I am proud to announce that based on the success of the
UIC/Conquer Chiari Research Symposium 2007, Conquer Chiari is planning a
major research conference for 2008, Chiari Malformation: State of the
Research and New Directions.
In addition to Conquer Chiari and the University of Illinois-Chicago, I am
very excited to say that Column of Hope and the American Syringomyelia
Alliance Project (ASAP) have agreed to co-sponsor this important event.
The goals of the conference include:
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Establish the current state of knowledge regarding pathophysiology,
diagnosis, and
treatment of Chiari malformation through review presentations and discussion
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Present and discuss recent developments in Chiari research
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Develop research recommendations to advance the state of knowledge and care
for Chiari
malformation, thus improving the experiences and outcomes of patients
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Document the proceedings in the form of a White Paper to be published in a
peer reviewed
journal and which will lay the foundation for future research
The development of a Chiari White Paper is an important milestone in Chiari
research, and it is expected that the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
will use the white paper and accompanying research recommendations to guide
future funding decisions.
With this in mind, the conference organizers (Rick Labuda, Dr. Frank Loth,
Dr. Konstantin Slavin) were invited by the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) to submit a grant for NINDS
sponsorship of the event.
The event will be held in November of this year in Chicago, and 18 top surgeons
and scientists have already agreed to participate in key roles:
• Dr. Raymond Sekula, Allegheny General
• Dr. Timothy George, University of Texas
• Dr. Frank Loth, University of Illinois-Chicago
• Dr. John Oro, Chiari Treatment Center
• Dr. Mark Luciano, Cleveland Clinic
• Dr. David Frim, University of Chicago
• Dr. Richard Tubbs, University of Alabama
• Dr. Konstantin Slavin, University of Illinois-Chicago
• Dr. Marcus Stoodley, University of Queensland
• Dr. Bermans Iskandar, University of Wisconsin
• Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, University of Washington
• Dr. Ghassan Bejjani, University of Pittsburgh
• Dr. Spyridon Sgouros, University of Birmingham
• Dr. Diane Mueller, University of Missouri
• Dr. Terry Lichtor, Rush Presby
• Dr. Barth Green, University of Miami
• Dr. Stephen Fletcher, University of Texas
• Dr. Jorge Lazareff, UCLA
Although attendance at the conference is reserved for professionals, just as
with the last conference, the entire proceedings will be videotaped and a
web archive will be created and made freely available for viewing.
I believe this represents an important milestone for the Chiari research
community and has the potential to open the door to increased funding from
the NIH.
--Rick Labuda
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