Research Projects

2015-2016 


Rajan Gadhia, MD


Publications

  • Chapter 54: Brain CT, MRI and MRS Spectroscopy: Differential Diagnosis of Imaging Findings. Masdeu, J.C, Gadhia, R., and Faridar, A.  Houston Methodist Hospital Department of Neurology – September 2016.
  • Cryptogenic Stroke Patients with PFO have Significantly  Smaller Shunts than Migraine Patients. Gadhia, R., Sadrameli, S., Kabir, R., and Volpi, J. Houston Methodist Hospital Department of Neurology – Manuscript – Pending Submission  - October  2016.
  • A Rare Presentation of CLIPPERS as Acute Ischemic Stroke. Gadhia R, Smith SV, Lee AG, and Lai EC - Houston Methodist Hospital Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Houston, TX – Manuscript Submitted to Neurology – June 2016.

Research Projects

  • Prospective Clinical Trial – “Concussion and Doppler Study” Houston Methodist Hospital Department of Neurology, Houston, TX – Present, IRB approved.
  • Prospective and Retrospective Research Project – “Automated calculation of acute infarct volumes, chronic small vessel disease burden, and intracerebral hemorrhage volume” Houston Methodist Hospital Department of Neurology, Houston, TX – Present, IRB approved.
  • Retrospective Research Project - "A retrospective analysis looking at the incidence of MRI negative strokes in post tPA patients, with specific concentration on stroke mimics such as seizure" Houston Methodist Hospital Department of Neurology, Houston, TX – Present, IRB approved.
  • Retrospective Research Project - "Assessing clot pathology in post-tPA patients undergoing clot retrieval. " Houston Methodist Hospital Department of Neurology, Houston, TX – Present, IRB approved.

Awards

  • First Recipient of Chief Resident Chair  - June 2016.
    Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute/Weill Cornell Medical College
  • Stellar Neuron Award: Excellence as Chief Resident – June 2016.
    Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute/Weill Cornell Medical College
  • Impact Award in Neurology:  Neurology Impact Essay First Prize – Dec 2015
    Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute/Weill Cornell Medical College


2014-2015


Umair Saeed, MD


Publications

  • Morgan ML, Law N, Espino Barros Palau A, Saeed U, Yalmanchili S, Lee AG. Anti-asialo-GM1 and GD1a variant of Miller Fisher variant of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. J Neuroophthalmol. 2014 Dec;34(4):377-9.
  • Chen WC, Kassi M, Saeed U, Frenette CT. A Rare Case of Amatoxin Poisoning in the State of Texas. Case Reports in Gastroenterology, 2012; 6(2): 350-357.
  • Khatri IA, Saeed U. Cluster like headache in an elderly patient with lateral medullary infarct--does the clue lie somewhere else?Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, 2011; 61(10): 1022-4.

Poster Presentations

  • West Nile Virus Polyradiculopathy and Optic Neuritis. Carrell-Krusen Symposium. Dallas TX – Feb 19-20, 2015.
  • Aging is associated with progressive insufficiency of circle of Willis collaterals in humans. International Stroke Conference (ISC) in San Diego – Feb 12-14, 2014

Ongoing IRB-Approved Research Projects

  • Effect of various risk factors on Circle of Willis Collaterals in humans.
    Mentor: John Volpi, MD



 Aliraza Faridar, MD 

Publications

  • Alireza Faridar, Dorothy Jones-Davis, Eric Rider, Jiang Li, Ilan Gobius, Laura Morcom, Linda J Richards, Saunak Sen and Elliott H Sherr. Mapk/Erk activation in an animal model of social deficits; a possible link to autism, Molecular autism. Published online Dec 2014.
  • Eskandari G, Ghajarzadeh M, Yekaninejad MS, Sahraian MA, Gorji R, Rajaei F, Norouzi javidan A, Faridar A, Azimi A; Comparison of serum vitamin D level in multiple sclerosis patients, their siblings and healthy controls. Acta Medica Iranica, accepted Nov 2014.
  • Esmaeilzadeh M, Majlesara A, Faridar A, Hafezi M, Hong B, Esmaeilnia-Shirvani H, Neyazi B, Mehrabi A, Nakamura M. Brain metastasis from gastrointestinalcancers: a systematic review. Int J Clin Pract. 2014 Jul;68(7):890-9.
  • Shadmanfar S, Shahram F, Nadji A, Akhlaghi M, Faezi ST, Sadeghi-Abdollahi B, Faridar A, Madanchi N, Davatchi F. The relationship between plasma homocysteine level and HLA-B51 in patients with Behcet's disease: a case-control study. Int J Rheum Dis. 2014 Jan 16. PMID: 24428874.


2013-2014


Brooke McQueen, MD 

Title of project: "Prognosis in Partial Status Epilepticus.  Presented at AES"
Mentors: Dr. Makoto Kawai and Aparajitha Verma, M.D.


Title of project: "Simultaneous EEG and fMRI in patients with Epilepsy: Evaluation of the resting state default mode network and sleep patterns; evaluation of correlates of interictal discharges with fMRI BOLD signal change;  Simultaneous EEG and fMRI in presurgical evaluation of epilepsy patients"
Mentors: Amit Verma, MD and Christof Karmonik, PhD




Hristelina Ilieva, MD 


Title of project: "Determining the role of first time FVC  (forced vital capacity)/MIP (maximal inspiratory pressure) in stratifying patients with ALS"
Description of project: In 2009, the AAN published updated evidence-based guidelines for the management of ALS patients. The AAN parameters use FVC <50%
as an indication for NIPPV initiation. Although, FVC is routinely used, MIP may be a more sensitive measurement of pulmonary/diaphragmatic function. Baseline FVC, MEP and MIP are known predictors of tracheostomy free survival. If they have any predictive value regarding timing of non-invasive positive pulmonary ventilation( NIPPV) initiation and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is unknown. More data on the role NIPPV compliance plays in FVC and MIP of ALS patients is needed. We set up to answer these questions by database and chart review of the  most recent group of ALS patients diagnosed at the Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX.
Mentors: Ericka P. Simpson, MD; Aparajitha Verma, MD
Abstracts submitted: Abstracts submitted and accepted  for AAN meeting San Diego 2013 and MND/ALS meeting Milan 2013. Poster presented in San Diego.




Rajan R. Gadhia, MD 


Title of project: "A Mystery Case of Severe Recurrent Neutropenia"
Description of project: A Case report and poster presentation to discuss an interesting case of medication induced neutropenia.
Mentor: Lawrence Rice, MD
Abstract submitted: Poster submitted/accepted/presented to American College of Physicians Poster Day at Houston Methodist Hospital Februar 2013.


Title of project: "Case Report: Neuromyelitis Optica - Devic's Disease"
Description of project: A Case report about an interesting pediatric case of NMO.
Mentor: Johanan Levine, M.D.
Poster submitted/accepted/presented: El Paso County Medical Society and El Paso Physician Journal Vol 34 No. 5.


Upcoming projects: "Co-investigator of POINT trial and THERAPY trial"
Point: A multi-center randomized controlled clinical trial comparing dual anti platelet therapy vs. single anti platelet therapy in the management of secondary stroke prevention.
Theraphy:
A randomized controlled clinical trial to determine the utility of endovascular management in acute stroke patients receiving tPA.
Upcoming submission by David Chiu, MD to BMS regarding a study of Apixaban


Project title: "A retrospective analysis looking at the incidence of MRI negative strokes in post tPA patients, with specific concentration on stroke mimics such as seizure"
Project Description: To determine a true incidence in our cohort population of tPA patients of averted strokes, with comparison of a wide range of baseline factors, including history or new onset seizure, NIHSS, time to tPA, age, among other baseline characteristics.





Stacy V. Smith, MD 


Title of project: "Evaluating the influence of NIPPV in ALS patients"
Project Description:
We will compare the quality of life scores and pulmonary function testing (FVC and MIP) of ALS patinet using NIPPV regularly to those of patients who are noncompliant or abstaing from this therapy. 
Mentor: Aparajitha Verma, MD


Title of project: "Evaluation of Safety Outcomes in TPA Patients"
Project Description:We evaluated door-to-result times for critical labs in potential TPA patients as part of a patient safety and quality improvement project.  The data was compared to the rate of delayed treatments and rate of adverse events.  In addition, we evaluated the safety of treating patients before the required lab results were obtained.  Final results will be presented to the Emergency Department, Neurology Department, and Stroke Care Management and Performance Improvement committees.

Mentor: John Volpi, MD


Title of project:"Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of CPAP in obstructive sleep apnea patients immediately following cerebrovascular accident" (future project)
Project Description: In particular, we collect data on the rate of aspiration pneumonia in patients with long-term CPAP use who are continued on this therapy during stroke admission.  A control group of patients will be established from those who screen positive for sleep apnea symptoms at time of admission but who are naive to CPAP therapy.  

Mentor: John Volpi, MD; Aparajitha Verma, MD


Previous Posters: Smith SV, Simpson EP. "A Complicated Case of GAD Antibody Syndrome" Carrell-Krusen Neuromuscular Symposium.  February 14, 2013.  Abstract and poster presentation.
Mentor: Ericka Simpson, MD


Abstract and poster presentation:Smith SV, Lai EC. "Neurosyphilis Mimicking Herpes Encephalitis: A not-so-rare presentation commonly misdiagnosed clinically and radiographically" Texas Neurologic Society Winter Meeting.  February 23, 2013. 
Mentor: Eugene Lai, MD


Basic Science Project: "Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Changes in Multiple Sclerosis and other Neurodegenerative Diseases: Pathophysiology, Assessment, and Clinical Application"
Mentors: Andrew Lee, M.D.; David M. Brown, M.D., Olga Waln, M.D.




Jason R. Thonhoff, MD 

Title of project: "Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy"
Description: To study the clinical and immunomodulatory effects of IVIG therapy in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy.
Mentor: Ericka P. Simpson, MD


Title of project: "Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) in Myasthenia Gravis"
Description: To determine the effectiveness of long-term IVIG maintenance therapy in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Mentors: Ericka P. Simpson, MD; Milvia Y. Pleitez, MD



Umair Saeed, MD 


Publications

  • Chen WC, Kassi M, Saeed U, Frenette CT. A Rare Case of Amatoxin Poisoning in the State of Texas. Case Reports in Gastroenterology, 2012; 6(2): 350-357
  • Khatri IA, Saeed U. Cluster like headache in an elderly patient with lateral medullary infarct--does the clue lie somewhere else? Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, 2011; 61(10): 1022-4

Poster Presentations

  • "Bilateral Carotid Body Tumors presenting as Amaurosis Fugax-an unusual presentation" Texas Neurological Institute Meeting in Austin, TX- Feb 22-24, 2013.
  • "A Rare Case of Amatoxin Poisoning in the State of Texas' American College of Physician Associate Day – March 24, 2012
  • "Bilateral Carotid Body Tumors presenting as Amaurosis Fugax-an unusual presentation" American College of Physician Associate Day – March 24, 2012

Ongoing IRB-Approved Research Projects "Effect of various risks factors including age, gender, etc on circle of Willis collaterals in humans" An angiographic study.
Mentor: John Volpi, MD
Abstract submitted: "Aging is associated with progressive insufficiency of circle of Willis collaterals in humans" to International Stroke Conference (ISC) Feb, 2014.