*From the ANA November Newsletter 

Narcolepsy affects an estimated 135,000 to 200,000 people in the United States, possibly more. It is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by abnormally fast transition into rapid eye movement (REM) sleep patterns — sometimes during the day or in the middle of the activities — and can be debilitating. The primary symptom of narcolepsy is excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnolence); many patients also experience cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness, limpness or inability to move), sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations (vivid hallucinations experienced as a person is falling asleep). There are two known disease subtypes: narcolepsy and narcolepsy with cataplexy.

We spoke with Pradeep Sahota, MD, FAAN, FANA, FAASM, FAES, FACP, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurology, Director of the Sleep Disorders Center, and Director of the Sleep Medicine Program at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, to learn about new developments in narcolepsy treatment and pathophysiology. You can read the full Q&A here.

Shafali Jeste, M.D., was selected to receive the 2019 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

Jeste is a pediatric neurologist and an associate professor of psychiatry, neurology and pediatrics in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Her research is focused on developing more precise methods for early prediction and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, using biomarkers and other genetic information, with the ultimate goal of improving the timing and targets of treatments for these conditions. She has designed studies to aid in the early prediction of autism, including autism related to the genetic disorders tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and dup15q syndrome. Her work in TSC led to the first randomized controlled clinical trial of behavioral intervention in infants who are likely to develop autism due to TSC. Jeste, who also is the founder and director of the UCLA Care and Research in Neurogenetics Clinic and a principal investigator at  the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment, is the principal  investigator for several current studies, including a multi-site National Institutes of Health-funded study focused on identifying brain biomarkers, genetic risk factors and early intervention in autism. She holds several international leadership roles, such as the Chair of the International Baby Siblings Research Consortium, board member of the International Society for Autism Research, and board member of the American Brain Foundation. The PECASE award federal government’s highest honor recognizing scientists for their contributions to science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. It also recognizes community service as demonstrated by scientific leadership, public education and community outreach. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy coordinates the awards with participating departments and agencies. The awards ceremony was held July 25, 2019 in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Kevin Sheth from Yale University co-authored the AHA/ASA acute stroke guideline update that was published October 30th online. Dr. Sheth is the Chief, Division of Neurocritical Care and Emergency Neurology; Associate Chair, Clinical Research, Department of Neurology; Director, Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit at Yale School of Medicine & Yale New Haven Hospital. 

Congratulations to Dr. Sheth!

Deadline TODAY for Submission - October 23, 2019

The AINA Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a leader in neurology by her/his peers. The recipient will be a North American neurologist chosen based on her/his dedication in advancing the training of North American neurologists of Indian origin and promoting innovation and research in the field of neurology. The recipient will have supported Indian neurologists over a significant period of time in achieving meaningful progress toward expressed goals.

View all past award recipients

Recipient will receive:

• $1,000 prize
• Recognition plaque
• Recognition in AAN's 70th Annual Meeting material

Eligibility

• Open to AAN members
• Must be nominated by an AAN member
• Nominee must be a North American neurologist

APPLY NOW & NOMINATE SOMEONE

Deadline: The 2020 awards deadline is October 23, 2019. More information is located on the AINA Website. 

Dr. Deepti Vibha was one of four neurologists who completed an observership through the IAN-AINA program! Hear more from Deepti about the experience below!

The Observership in Vascular Neurology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) provided me the unique opportunity to learn about the quick workflow and management of acute stroke patients, and its tele stroke services (to about 42 neighboring centers). The participation of Neurology and Neurosurgery fellows in the vascular intervention services was another new learning experience. Visit to the specialized stroke outpatient clinics was an opportunity to see the patients being managed and monitored after they’ve been discharged and sent to rehabilitation services. The learning has enriched me with ideas which would help me in better organizing stroke care services. While a combination of higher quantum of stroke patients, lack of universal electronic medical records and less structured rehabilitation services are impediments to stroke care back home, the small, yet very useful exposure to operational services and training programmes here, will be an advantage for me for serving stroke patients. I would like to express my gratitude to all coordinating faculty members from AINA and IAN for conception and implementation of this Observership Programme. Special thanks to Dr Gagandeep Singh and Dr Sanjay Singh for guiding me through the process and the UPMC team for providing the great learning experience.

Dr. Sujit Jagtap was one of four neurologists who completed an observership through the IAN-AINA program! Hear more from Sujit about his experience below!

Updating myself with the recent and comprehensive knowledge of epilepsy surgery evaluation as an Epileptologist from India, the IAN-AINA fellowship at Cleveland Clinic, USA turned out to be an excellent opportunity. I thank Dr Prakash Kotagal for facilitating my introduction to a wonderful group of clinicians and researchers in my one month of stay. Initial two weeks, I had an opportunity to accompany him in the outpatient department where elicitation of seizure semiology in patients of epilepsy and also the post-surgical counselling was detailed. Additionally, daily VEEG and EEG rounds introduced me to epilepsy networks  which is a relatively recent and fascinating concept in the field of epilepsy surgery. The exploration of the epilepsy network was enhanced by exposure to SEEG, its technicalities and interpretation, all thanks to the eminent consultants and the friendly fellows. A brief tour to the MEG lab was a cherry on top. The overall experience at Cleveland has pumped my enthusiasm, boosted my confidence and humbled me in the vastness of knowledge, all of which that I need to serve my patients, back here in India.

With Dr Kotagal	With Dr Juan Bulacio	With Epilepsy Fellows during conference

APPLY NOW NOMINATE SOMEONE

The AINA Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a leader in neurology by her/his peers. The recipient will be a North American neurologist chosen based on her/his dedication in advancing the training of North American neurologists of Indian origin and promoting innovation and research in the field of neurology. The recipient will have supported Indian neurologists over a significant period of time in achieving meaningful progress toward expressed goals.

View all past award recipients

Recipient will receive:

• $1,000 prize
• Recognition plaque
• Recognition in AAN's 70th Annual Meeting material

Eligibility

• Open to AAN members
• Must be nominated by an AAN member
• Nominee must be a North American neurologist

Application Procedure

Nominator should submit one copy of the following:

1. Completed application form
2. Nominee's curriculum vitae
3. A letter of recommendation (not previously submitted for nominee) describing the following:
   • The nominee’s success relating to the growth and prestige of neurologists of Indian origin in North America
   • The nominee’s commitment to passing leadership skills and the value of involvement to peers and to the next generation of leaders
   • The nominee’s demonstration of exceptional dedication of time and effort for the greater good
   • The nominee’s commitment to team building and to being a team player
   • The nominee’s commitment to “bridge-building” for the Indian neurologic community and beyond through mutual partnerships and alliances

Deadline

The 2020 awards deadline is October 23, 2019.

For more information, please contact the American Brain Foundation at grants@americanbrainfoundation.org or (612) 928-6300.

For more information about the Association for Indian Neurologists in America (AINA) please visit: www.4aina.com

Anuja Patil was one of four neurologists who completed an observership through the IAN-AINA program! Hear more from Anuja about her experience below!

I completed the course from 17th June to 31st July of this year at Creighton University, Omaha under the mentorship of Dr. Sanjay Singh.

I would like to express the overall experience under following heads:

1. Academics and clinical experience: it was a great opportunity to get to attend the out-patient clinics as well as the in-patient rounds. I got to observe the step by step and thorough evaluation of the newly diagnosed as well as the refractory epilepsy cases, their long term video EEG monitoring and subsequent analysis of the recorded EEG and semiology data and its correlation to the clinical and imaging details. During the stay I also had the opportunity to attend two Wada tests and understand their protocol and clinical implications. I got to attend the patient management meetings and know the nuances in decision making for further management of the cases. I also got to experience manipulating the VNS settings in the OPD patients. The DBS for refractory epilepsy and witnessing the ex-ablate procedure was one of the best experience I had there. During my stay, I could also work upon few research projects that will expectedly help me gain curricular merits.

I am sure this will help me in more better evaluation and subsequent management of the cases in my future clinical practice. Also it encourages me to follow the protocols and thorough evaluation techniques as adapted to the service setup back home.

2. Logistics: managing the stay and overall expenditure was feasible with the timely help from AINA providing the financial assistance. I really appreciate their promptness.

3. Personal view: this is a much wanted experience that I think every practicing neurologist in India wishes for... an opportunity to learn beyond our boundaries, getting to experience the clinical and research methods first hand is highly valued. But lack of exposure or failure to gain mentorship, the possible time constraints for private as well as government employed practitioners and financial inadequacies for some make it difficult.

This is a really encouraging step by the IAN-AINA co-ordination and will definitely merit many more neurologists in our country.

Limitations: the duration seems a bit short for the amount of clinical experience we get during the observership. But the thoroughness of evaluation and novel techniques that we get to see do make it up for this shortcoming.

I once again thank IAN and AINA for granting me this opportunity.

AINA invites institutions that want to be included as a site in 2020, for one of the four young Indian neurologists to come as an Observer to learn, to inform us within the next 7 days. The Observership must be free, no fees for the observership of any kind. The observership is for 4 to 6 weeks. Local institution rules will be applicable. We look forward to hearing from you. The first year of this joint venture between the AINA & IAN was a grand success and now we are entering the second year. Please send your e-mails regarding this to jamie@badgerbay.co with your interest.

A research paper on Mechanical Thrombectomy Using Retrievable Stents in Pediatric Acute Ischemic Stroke was published in July 2019 by AINA Members and those in India. Please read here for more information!