New techniques to diagnose Parkinson’s to be discussed
Banner Health experts to speak on use of brain imaging as option
SUN CITY, Ariz. (Sept. 27, 2010) – Researchers are investigating the use of brain imaging techniques to diagnose Parkinson’s disease.
These scanning tools and how they may lead to more effective treatments will be some of the topics discussed by Valley experts at the Power Over Parkinson’s 2010 Community Educational Conference on Saturday, Oct. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Rio Vista Recreation Center, 8866-A W. Thunderbird Road, in Peoria.
The event, hosted by the Arizona chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA) and presented by Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center and Banner Boswell Medical Center, is open to the public and costs $10 per person for members and $15 per person for non-members. A continental breakfast and lunch are included in the registration fee. Call (800) 541-4960 for reservations.
Experts scheduled to speak and participate in a question-and-answer session include:
- Padma R. Mahant, MD, Neurologist, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center – Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scans and Parkinson’s Disease
- Johan Samanta, MD, Neurologist, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center – Future of Parkinson’s Disease and Treatments
- Jean Burns, PD Activist – Participating in a Clinical Trial: a Patient's Perspective
- David Pootrakul, MD, Neurosurgeon, Banner Boswell Medical Center – Deep Brain Stimulation surgery – Pros and Cons
The program also includes vendor displays, exercise and fun breaks, and a performance by the Tremble Clefs, a Parkinson’s disease singing group.
“Affording the people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the Phoenix area the opportunity to learn about the latest updates in research, medical treatments, and surgical options from nationally known medical experts is the first goal of the Power Over Parkinson’s conference,” said Tom Viviano, APDA state director and coordinator of the APDA Information and Referral Center at Banner Good Samaritan. “When attendees see a gathering of 300 people affected by PD, they don’t feel so alone in their disease. PD is the second most prevalent chronic neurological disorder after Alzheimer’s, and affects more than 1.5 million Americans. It is estimated that over 20,000 Arizona residents live with PD, and the goal of the American Parkinson Disease Association is to ease their burden, and find the cure.”
About Banner Health
Headquartered in Phoenix, Banner Health is one of the largest, nonprofit health care systems in the country. The system owns or leases 23 acute-care hospitals, long-term care centers, outpatient surgery centers and an array of other services including family clinics, home care and hospice services, and a nursing registry. Banner Health is in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. To learn more about Banner Health, go to www.bannerhealth.com.
About Banner Sun Health Research Institute
For 23 years, Sun Health Research Institute, part of nonprofit Banner Health, has been a leader nationally and internationally in the effort to find answers to disorders of aging including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and arthritis. The institute, together with its Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium partners, has been designated by the National Institutes of Health as one of just 29 Alzheimer’s Disease Centers in the nation. The institute’s Cleo Roberts Center for Clinical Research takes laboratory discoveries to clinical trials that foster hope for new treatments. Banner Health is Arizona’s leading health care provider and second largest private employer. For more information, visit www.shri.org or www.bannerhealth.com.
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CONTACT:
Banner Health Public Relations
Nancy Neff, (602) 747-3105
Craig Fischer, (602) 747-4447
Twitter: @BannerHealth
