Kentucky Neuroscience Institute Fact Sheet

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History

Established in 2006, the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute (KNI) integrates the expertise of UK HealthCare’s neurology and neurosurgery physicians and researchers. KNI is a regional referral center as well as a dynamic teaching and resource entity, dedicated to providing patients with comprehensive care.

Patient care

When a patient is referred to KNI, diagnosis and treatment are made in a collaborative environment, decreasing the need for multiple visits and consultations. A whole-patient approach to care, with emphasis on quality of life factors such as ease of movement and communication, maximizes recovery potential. Treated as equal partners in care, referring physicians can expect early and ongoing contact with KNI specialists.

Research at KNI

KNI is discovering new and advanced ways to bring findings from the researcher’s laboratory to the patient’s bedside through clinical trials and research grants. By combining the expertise of researchers and physicians, KNI can offer the most advanced treatments. Patients involved in research trials for neurodegenerative diseases are also monitored and evaluated for a longer period of time in comparison to the typical 60 day study. Factors such as ease of movement, communication and overall satisfaction with life are examined from a longitudinal approach. Studies include the first North American Phase I clinical trial for Parkinson’s disease.

Advanced technologies

KNI offers first rate clinical facilities, providing leading edge technology to deliver effective and specialized care for our patients with neurological disorders. KNI leads Kentucky in advancing neurological care by providing the following.

• Kentucky’s only Gamma Knife Center – Gamma Knife is a state-of-the-art, non-invasive procedure that uses highly focused gamma rays to safely treat tumors and abnormalities deep inside the brain without breaking the skin.
• Region’s only Level IV Epilepsy Center – Our Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) is a dedicated 6 bed unit with the latest diagnostic monitoring equipment to pinpoint the causes of epileptic seizures allowing the physicians to develop an effective treatment plan.
• Region’s first Primary Stroke Center – Demonstrating its ability to meet the unique and specialized needs of its stroke patients, UK Chandler Hospital was the first health care facility in Central and Eastern Kentucky to obtain distinction as a Primary Stroke Center.
• Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery – KNI offers a wide variety of minimally invasive surgery, such as kyphoplasty, vetebroplasty and other spine procedures, allowing patients faster recovery times with less discomfort.

Services

Illnesses and conditions treated by the KNI team of experts include the following.

• Child neurological disorders
• Epilepsy
• Headache and pain
• Memory disorders (Alzheimer’s disease, etc.)
• Motor-neuron disease
• Movement disorders
• Multiple sclerosis
• Neurogenetics (genetic disorders)
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Neuro-oncology (brain tumors)
• Neuropathy (numbness, tingling, pain)
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Spine disorders
• Stroke (Regions first JCAHO Accredited Center)
• Vertigo and dizziness

Affiliated research centers

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
The Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky is one of the original ten Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers. It is responsible for research, education and service programs in aging.

Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC)
SCoBIRC was established in 1999 to promote research on spinal cord and brain injuries that result in paralysis or loss of neurological function. The center is unique in its focus on spinal cord and brain injury.

Udall Center
The University of Kentucky Morris K. Udall Parkinson’s Disease Center of Excellence is funded by the National Institutes of Health. The Udall Center is among an elite group of nation-wide organizations that look for ways to repair damage to the brain.

Center for Sensor Technology (CenSeT)
CenSeT works parallel with the Udall Center to develop state-of-the-art sensor techniques for studying brain function. The center was developed with a grant from the National Science Foundation and collaborates with other centers around
the country.

Giving opportunities

Private support has become increasingly more important to assist us with providing state-of-the-art research, education and the highest quality patient health care. Gifts are tax deductible and may be donated for use in areas of greatest need; however, you may designate your gift to a specific area.
To make a contribution, or for more information, please contact:

UK Medical Center
Office of Development
343 Waller Ave., Suite 205
Lexington, KY 40504
859-323-8046 or 1-800-875-6272

To make an appointment or find a physician, please call UK HealthCare at 859-257-1000 or toll free 1-800-333-8874.
Copyright © 2007, University of Kentucky, 800 Rose St., Lexington, Kentucky, USA 40536.

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Page last updated Wednesday, February 28, 2007 1:36 PM