Brain Imaging May Predict Cognitive Problems after Off-Pump Cardiac Surgery

Dr. Paul Fu works with researchers at the Capital Medical University Anzhen Hospital in Beijing, China to investigate whether abnormalities in brain imaging correlates with cognitive problems following off-pump heart surgery.

In 556 enrolled patients who had off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, those with abnormal CT perfusion scans were found to have lower cognitive function based on MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) scores. Dr. Fu’s research adds to the controversial topic of postperfusion syndrome (in the media colloquially called “pumphead”) – cognitive problems following cardiopulmonary bypass.

The third-year resident’s research was published in Neurological Research this month.

Yale Resident Awarded AHA/ASA Young Investigator Database Research Seed Grant

This summer, Dr. Stacy Chu begins her research on seasonal patterns in stroke in partnership with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

The AHA/ASA Young Investigator Database Research Award is a seed grant given to three selected applicants per cycle, a joint effort from the Council on Clinical Cardiology, the Stroke Council, The Council on Cardiopulmonary, Critical Care, Perioperative and Resuscitation (AHA Council 3 CPR), and The Council on Basic Cardiovascular Science. Dr. Chu will investigate the temporal changes in incidence and outcomes of stroke through analysis of the “Stroke Get With the Guidelines” database, in an effort to better understand the epidemiological basis of the disease.

Dr. Chu is a third-year resident on the research track, which maximizes elective time for research in senior years.

Yale Neurology Celebrates Graduating Residents

Yale Neurology celebrated the completion of training of seven residents and three fellows last night.

Taking place at Amarante’s Sea Cliff boasting a seaside deck and bar, the dinner was attended by over a hundred faculty members, trainees and family members. The department celebrated seven graduating residents, five of whom will be staying at Yale:

  • Dr. Benjamin Blond: Yale University, Clinical Neurophysiology (Epilepsy)
  • Dr. Shivani Ghoshal: Columbia University, Neurocritical Care Fellowship
  • Dr. Mark Landreneau: Yale University, Neurocritical Care Fellowship
  • Dr. Brian MacGrory: Yale University, Vascular Neurology Fellowship
  • Dr. Ashish Ranpura: Queen’s Square, London, Research and Clinical Practice
  • Dr. Sara Schaefer: Yale University, Movement Disorders Fellowship
  • Dr. Emmanuelle Schindler: Veteran Affairs Advanced Fellowship in Neuroscience

The department also recognized fellows Dr. Sharon Stoll for completion of neuro-immunology fellowship, Dr. Annya Tisher for behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry, and Dr. Teddy Youn for vascular neurology. Other fellows will be recognized at a separate event.

Residents with program director and Attending of the Year Dr. Jeremy Moeller

Residents with program director and Attending of the Year Dr. Jeremy Moeller

Resident Dr. Shivani Ghoshal was honored with the Resident of the Year Award, Dr. Diane Chan the Gilbert Glaser Award and Dr. Rachel Beekman the Lewis Levy Award.

Dr. Jeremy Moeller was named the Attending of the Year as selected by residents.

Yale Attends the Penry Residents Epilepsy Program

Dr. Saien Lai returns from the Penry Residents Epilepsy Program taking place June 7-10 at the Graylyn International Conference Center of Wake Forest University in North Carolina. The intensive three-day course offered resident-level focused didactics on antiepileptic management, childhood epilepsy syndromes and acute seizure management. In addition to lectures during the day, Dr. Lai also attended dinners with small-group case discussions with faculty into late evenings. Attendees to the conference are nominated by program directors of selected neurology programs.

Participants discuss epilepsy at the beautiful Graylyn International Conference Center of Wake Forest University

Participants discuss epilepsy at the beautiful Graylyn International Conference Center of Wake Forest University

Dr. Lai was joined by Yale epileptologist Dr. Mattson, a course director and one of the chairs of the program.

Yale epileptologist Dr. Mattson lectures to residents from around the country

Yale epileptologist Dr. Mattson lectures to residents from around the country

After completion of her fourth year of residency, Dr. Lai will be joining Stanford for epilepsy fellowship starting 2017.