Community Newsletter  
Winter 2016  
The State of the Organization...
Mark Mintz, M.D., President, CEO & Founder 
 

Mark Mintz Photo
This is an exciting time of year when we are prompted to reflect on the achievements and lessons of the past year and contemplate the possibilities and goals for the coming year.
 
Looking Back...
With the assistance of a dynamic and dedicated staff, we completed many large-scale goals to better serve our patients and the community in 2015. We greatly appreciate everyone's support and encouragement as we...
 
Continue reading about our accomplishments in 2015 and goals for 2016...

Community Education Library 
CNNH Experts Deliver Valuable Information to Patients and Professionals null

CNNH has teamed up with the Family Support Center of NJ (FSCNJ) to deliver educational Webinars on topics of interest to the special needs community. These Webinars are conducted by expert clinical staff at CNNH and focus on topics that are important to parents and professionals. 

Click here to access the most recent topics and listen to pre-recorded sessions...
dEEG baby
Need an EEG? 
Consider HD-EEG! 
Painless. Accurate. Informative.
 
It's the 21st century and HD imaging technology is available most everywhere: on your television, at the movies, on your computer, and even on your phone. And, while we don't watch TV in HD (at the office), we certainly value viewing our EEG technology in "HD" (High Density, that is), available at CNNH. 

Can "Spikes" Affect Brain Function?

A group of Chinese researchers and clinicians have reported that "interictal centrotemporal spikes" can disrupt brain networks responsible for language, behavior, and cognition, and that suppressing such discharges can reduce the risk of neuropsychological impairments in children.1 This study adds to the growing body of evidence that "spikes" are associated with impairment of brain function, and their negative consequences can be reversed by spike suppression. These findings are similar to what CNNH clinicians reported in 2009.2

CNNH Champions!
  children-smiling-sm.jpg
CNNH was formed to provide a unique model of care that makes a difference, one person at a time. We are also continually inspired by the courage, perseverance and spirit of our patients and their families. They are our true champions: CNNH Champions!   

CNNH is Getting an Updated Look 
New Website, New Social Media Presence
  
The CNNH website is getting a fresh new look! The site will still provide lots of valuable information, including archived Webinars, BLOG entries, staff information, the ability to make an appointment and much more.  And it will all be easier to navigate. Stay tuned for the new site launching this spring!

Also, join us on social media to learn what is happening in the field of brain health. Our medical staff and expert clinicians are always contributing tips and suggestions!


Like us on Facebook     Follow us on Twitter     View our videos on YouTube     Visit our blog     View our profile on LinkedIn    
Ongoing Research

The Clinical Research Center of New Jersey
 
Botox Spasticity Investigational Study
Does your child have cerebral palsy? Does your child have abnormal muscle stiffness (spasticity) in the leg?

Please consider this important medical research study evaluating BOTOX® for the treatment of lower limb spasticity in children between the ages of 2 and 17.

Does your child have cerebral palsy? Does your child have abnormal muscle stiffness (spasticity) in the arm and hand?

Please consider this important medical research study evaluating BOTOX® for the treatment of upper limb spasticity in children between the ages 2 and 17.


Epilepsy Study
Still searching for answers to your child's epilepsy?

Your child may be eligible to participate in the study if he or she has been diagnosed with epilepsy, is taking anti epileptic mediations but still experiencing seizures.



Autism & Sleep Study  *** Project Closed to Enrollment *** 
Does your child have Autism spectrum disorder or a Neurogenetic disorder (Smith-Magenis syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Tuberous sclerosis) and suffered for the last 3 months or more from problems getting to sleep and/or staying asleep at night?
NeurAbilities

Autism Research Study  ***Project Closed to Enrollment***
NeurAbilities was awarded a two-year grant to investigate for genetic abnormalities in those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) associated with intellectual disabilities and/or epilepsy, and determine their clinical manifestations. Findings from this research project may discover new biological causes of ASD's and associated complications, as well as assist clinicians in determining treatments targeting mechanisms of disease rather than symptoms. The Center for Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Health (CNNH) will lead this project, with three collaborating institutions: Courtagen Life Sciences, Coriell Institute for Medical Research and the Mitochondrial Disease Laboratory of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.



NYU Infant Cognition Lab

Autism Study
Do you have a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and a baby under 6 months old? Help us recognize early signs of Autism and learn more about your child's development. 6 visits to NYU / Compensation provided / Funded by NIH

 Click here for more information.

Welcome Thomas N. Pappas
  
Thomas N. Pappas recently jointed the CNNH leadership team as Executive Vice President of Business Strategies. Tom brings with him a wealth of expertise, extensive experience, and a consistent record of achievement and community involvement throughout his stellar professional career. Mr. Pappas is former CEO of United Healthcare of PA, and has also played key management and consultant roles at Xerox Corporation and Johnson & Higgins. A former president of the Union League of Philadelphia, he recently dedicated the Thomas N. Pappas Business Center. Mr. Pappas will be instrumental in transforming CNNH into a more dynamic, innovative and respected health care organization. To learn more about Mr. Thomas Pappas, click here to view his extended biography.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Mr. Pappas to CNNH!

Welcome Julianne Innamorato, MT-BC
Conducting Music Therapy at CNNH's Wall Township Office
  
Please welcome Julianne Innamorato as a Board Certified Music Therapist joining the team at our Wall Township office! Julianne completed her degree in Music Therapy with a minor in Psychology from Maywood University, and her internship at Trident Medical Center in Charleston, SC. Julianne has experience with a variety of populations, including newborn babies all the way through geriatric populations.  She has worked with people with neurodevelopmental diagnoses, mental health and in the medical field in the ICU, PCU, NIC, and more. She is very passionate about music therapy and excited be part of the CNNH team. If you are interested in individual or group music therapy at Wall please call 855-852-8150 and ask to speak with the Director of Creative Arts, Kathleen Nace. 

CNNH Happenings - Upcoming Events
 
Visit www.cnnh.org/events to keep up-to-date with all of our upcoming events and other community activities. 

EVENTS HOSTED AT CNNH
March 15, 2016 - NEW SUPPORT GROUP!
7 to 8pm, CNNH - Voorhees

March 29, 2016 -NEW SUPPORT GROUP
7 to 8pm, CNNH - Voorhees

April 5, 2016 - 
7:30 to 9am, 
Hosted by NeurAbilities at CNNH - Voorhees

April 18, 2016 - 
6:30 to 8pm, CNNH - King of Prussia, PA

June 20, 2016 - 
6:30 to 8pm, CNNH - King of Prussia, PA

September 19, 2016 - 
6:30 to 8pm, CNNH - King of Prussia, PA

November 21, 2016 - 
6:30 to 8pm, CNNH - King of Prussia, PA


LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
July 19, 2016 - 
by Sara M.Shane, Psy.D., L.P.C. WEBINAR 12 to 1pm


CNNH had two abstract submissions accepted for presentation at the 14th International Child Neurology Congress, to be held in May in Amsterdam. The first is based on data from the Governor's Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism research study:
 
"Buccal swab analysis reveals a high prevalence of mitochondrial respiratory chain defects in children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders"
 
Authors are Mark Mintz, Laura Szklarski, and Pnina Mintz of CNNH, and Michael J. Goldenthal, Agustin Legido, and Shirish Damle of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA. 
 
The second is based on data we have collected in describing clinical manifestations and potential treatments of molecular defects in calcium transport into and out of cells, entitled:

"Calcium Channelopathies: Genotype-Phenotype Correlations to Neuropsychiatric Disorders"

Authors are Mark Mintz of CNNH, Julia Fruh, University of Basel, Switzerland, and Richard Boles and Christine Stanley of Courtagen Life Sciences, Woburn, MA. 

*** We would like to recognize Julia Früh, a summer medical student from Switzerland, who joined the CNNH team to conduct research as part of her medical school curriculum. We thank her for her contributions. *** 


PUBLICATIONS
Dr. Mintz was a co-author for:

Stimulant Medications and Cognition, Behavior, and Quality of Life in Children and Youth with HIV. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal: January 2016.


EXHIBITS
May 11th


NOTEWORTHY
Dr. Mintz was an invited participant for "Neurology on the Hill" in Washington, D.C., February 29-March 1. This advocacy program sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology involved face-to-face meetings with members of Congress and advocating for the critical role of neurologists in health care reform. Dr. Mintz was the only neurologist from NJ this year and met with Congressman Donald Norcross, and legislative staff for Senators Cory Booker and Robert Menendez, Congressman Frank Pallone and Congresswoman Bonnie Coleman.
 


 
 
Dr. Mintz has been accepted as an Advisor for the 2016 Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum, to be held May 12-15. Dr. Mintz is a 2004 graduate of this American Academy of Neurology program that provides advanced leadership-development training for neurologists to become advocates for their patients and profession at local, state and federal levels. 
CNNH Happenings - Past Events (Nov 2015-Jan 2016)
 
Visit www.cnnh.org/events to keep up-to-date with all of our upcoming events and other community activities. 

LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
November 12th - 
  by Greg Alberts, Ph.D., WEBINAR 

November 13th - 
"Sleep and Special Needs: How They Impact Each Other"
by Ralph Gallo, M.D., ASAH Conference in Atlantic City (2 to 3:30pm)


November 30th - 
by Sara M.Shane, Psy.D., L.P.C. WEBINAR

December 5th - 
by Mark Mintz, M.D., 69th Annual Meeting, American Epilepsy Society, Philadelphia, PA

December 7th - 
"DEEG Improves Compliance and Acquisition Without Sedation or Restraint..."
by Mark Mintz, M.D. and Laura Szklarski of CNNH

"Identification of TRPM6 Channelopathy in Intractable Epilepsy Responsive to Magnesium..."
by Mark Mintz, M.D. of CNNH and Richard Boles, M.D. of Courtagen Life Sciences. 

"Pharmacokinetics of Perampanel in Children with Epilepsy aged 2 to 12 years" 
by Mark Mintz, M.D. of CNNH, co-author

December 16th -
by Julia Holtmann, M.D. WEBINAR 


EVENTS/PRESENTATIONS HOSTED AT CNNH
October 27th - 

Community Corner
 
There are so many wonderful organizations in our community working to serve individuals with special needs and their families. For an update of what is happening at CNNH and in the community, please reference the community calendar on our website. Together we can make a difference!

Voorhees, NJ  
·  Rutherford, NJ

Wall Township, NJ 
·  King of Prussia, PA
 
P: 855.852.8150     F: 856.784.1799
"The staff members at CNNH are unparalleled in their professionalism and passion to see our children succeed. I searched a long time to find a place like this for my children. It's a rare organization that can boast of such dynamic clinicians and diverse services."
- Jacqui E., mother of two sons with autism