Latest advances in treatment for traumatic brain injury and stroke presented at symposium

AUSTIN, Texas, April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Some of the country's leading practitioners will discuss the cutting-edge treatments and imaging techniques being developed to treat traumatic brain injury and stroke at a symposium on May 4th in Austin.

"Collaborating for Cures: Emerging Translational Research in the Stroke and TBI Care Continuum" will feature presentations on neuroplasticity, stem cell policy and regulatory issues, neuroimaging techniques and analysis, as well as provide a forum for leading scientists in the field to share ideas and discuss potential collaborations. "Austin and Central Texas is emerging as a thought center in the neurosciences. This symposium highlighting the work of Dr. Valadka and Warach illuminates that exciting development," stated Tom Caven, M.D., Vice-President, Medical Affairs, University Medical Center Brackenridge.

To start the event, Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Texas, will provide an overview of his "10 Goals in 10 Years" plan.

"I've proposed '10 Goals in 10 Years' to help all of us live longer, better and more prosperously by investing in our community's health," Watson said. "These goals will help us build a medical school, a modern teaching hospital, cutting-edge research resources near our universities and uniquely Austin health clinics in our communities."

Other speakers include:

• Tom Caven, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs and Medical Director at Brackenridge Hospital and Chairman of the Clinical Research Steering Committee for the Seton Family of Hospitals
• Erin D. Bigler Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Brigham Young University
• James S. Misko, Psy.D., Clinical Neuropsychologist and President and Co-Owner of CORE Health Care. Alex Valadka, M.D., CEO Seton Brain & Spine Institute
• Stanley Wang, M.D., J.D., MPH., director of legislative affairs at Austin Heart
• Steven Warach, M.D., Ph.D., Founding Executive Director of the Seton/University of Texas Southwestern Clinical Research Institute in Austin
• Lisa Huey, Patient Advocate and Traumatic Brain Survivor

The symposium is presented by Texans for Stem Cell Research, Texas Cures Education Foundation and the CORE Health Foundation and sponsored by Siemans, Health South Rehabilitation Hospital of Austin, CORE Health Care, New Braunfels Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, Nurses Unlimited, Beck Capital Management Group, Texas Neuro Rehabilitation Center, and United Rehab Specialists, Inc.

"All the groups who developed this symposium want to facilitate partnerships between research institutions and medical schools with mutual goals," said David Bales, chairman of the Texans for Stem Cell Research. "This event will be important for people interested in traumatic brain injury and stroke treatment, a medical school in Austin, patient advocacy, and collaboration toward advancing research in central Texas."

"Collaborating for Cures" will be held at the Shoal Crossing Event Center in Austin on May 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. A reception follows. Continuing education credits are available. For more information or to register, visit: http://texascures.org/upcoming-events/

Texans for Stem Cell Research (txstemcell.org) is a non-profit, all volunteer organization based in Austin, Texas whose mission is to provide educational information to the public and policymakers regarding the medical and economic benefits of stem cell research and therapy in Texas.

Texas Cures Education Foundation (texascures.org) is a nonprofit founded for the purpose of advancing knowledge of the life-saving work that doctors and researchers perform every day on behalf of patients and their families.

The CORE Health Foundation (www.corehealthfoundation.org) is a nonprofit organization based in Dripping Springs, Texas, whose mission is to advocate for people with disabilities in novel ways through research, creation of public works and awareness projects that hasten the removal of biases in our society.

SOURCE Texas Cures Education Foundation