Category Archives: brain/neurology

A change of plans: Stroke affects family routine, son’s career path

Posted on April 18, 2018 by

BY JIM McKEEVER John Licata had a decade of experience in TV/film, print and marketing when he made an abrupt career change. It was Father’s Day weekend of 2013. His father, John Licata Sr., suffered a stroke that left him … Continue reading →

Posted in brain/neurology, health care, health careers, physical therapy/rehabilitation, stroke

Understanding microRNA: Tiny keys could unlock treasure trove of medical knowledge

Posted on February 21, 2018 by

BY JIM HOWE Researchers at Upstate are looking at tiny bits of genetic material that could open up new ways of understanding diseases and how the mind and body work. The material is called microRNA and is present in saliva, … Continue reading →

Posted in autism, brain/neurology, health care, HealthLink on Air, research | Tagged , , , , , ,

A huge mission: Upstate scientist explores how stem cell therapy may repair brain damage from stroke or Alzheimer’s

Posted on February 14, 2018 by

BY AMBER SMITH Li-Ru Zhao’s father, Jintian Zhao, was in his mid-60s in 1973 when a blood clot clogged a vessel in his brain and he suffered a stroke. Doctors in China, where he lives, suggested acupuncture or physical therapy … Continue reading →

Posted in Alzheimer's/dementia, brain/neurology, health care, research, stroke

Advanced imaging, clot-retrieval help save stroke patients during holiday at Upstate Comprehensive Stroke Center

Posted on December 29, 2017 by

The Christmas feast was about to begin. Twenty-three of Judy Klein’s loved ones were gathered in her Syracuse home. Her grandson had prepared a plate for her mother, Fannie Barber, 101. Klein’s daughter was talking with the matriarch, who was … Continue reading →

Posted in aging/geriatrics, brain/neurology, brain/spine/neurosurgery, emergency medicine/trauma, health care, medical imaging/radiology, patient story

Fighting back: How a martial artist recovered from stroke

Posted on November 1, 2017 by

BY AMBER SMITH In the first days of physical therapy, when the therapist would say “great job,” it didn’t feel that way to William Bouchard. The message he heard was: “not good enough.” Recovering from stroke can feel like starting … Continue reading →

Posted in brain/neurology, health care, medical imaging/radiology, patient story, physical therapy/rehabilitation, stroke, surgery | Tagged

Stroke team extends clot-busting ability to 24 hours

Posted on October 27, 2017 by

Time is a critical element in the treatment of stroke, and now the stroke team at Upstate’s Comprehensive Stroke Center is able to offer more of it to some patients. The clot-busting, tissue plasminogen activator medication called tPA is most … Continue reading →

Posted in brain/neurology, drugs/medications/pharmacy, emergency medicine/trauma, health care, HealthLink on Air, medical imaging/radiology, stroke, technology | Tagged , , ,

Strokes are affecting more young people

Posted on October 25, 2017 by

BY AMBER SMITH A growing number of young people are at risk for stroke today because so many people age 20 to 55 have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and/or obesity. These diseases increase any person’s risk for stroke, … Continue reading →

Posted in adolescents, brain/neurology, diabetes/endocrine/metabolism, heart/cardiovascular, stroke | Tagged , ,

A remarkable and rapid recovery: Family called 911, got him to Upstate stroke team quickly

Posted on October 23, 2017 by

BY AMBER SMITH Rajeev Saini, MD, typically leaves for work in the morning and doesn’t come home until evening. He came home at lunchtime on May 18 to check on his 16-year-old daughter, who was home sick. Saini is a … Continue reading →

Posted in brain/neurology, brain/spine/neurosurgery, emergency medicine/trauma, health care, patient story, stroke, surgery | Tagged

Upstate stroke neurologists care for patients in remote areas

Posted on August 9, 2017 by

BY AMBER SMITH This is a story about two women, living in different parts of rural Central New York. Each suffered a stroke. Each had a loved one who summoned help. Each saw a stroke neurologist from Upstate University Hospital … Continue reading →

Posted in brain/neurology, brain/spine/neurosurgery, emergency medicine/trauma, health care, patient story, stroke, technology

Sleep trouble leads to depression, which leads to medication, which leads to sleep trouble

Posted on July 31, 2017 by

BY AMBER SMITH When patients begin taking antidepressants, their health care providers typically warn that the medication may reduce sexual desire and performance and may increase appetite and weight gain. Often missing is a discussion about how the medication may … Continue reading →

Posted in aging/geriatrics, brain/neurology, depression, drugs/medications/pharmacy, mental health/emotional health, psychology/psychiatry, research | Tagged , , ,