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Health

The Vestibular Disorders Associations’ Balance Awareness Week aims to bring awareness to invisible diseases

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The Vestibular Disorder Association (VeDA), the leading international organization for information about vestibular disorders, is holding its annual Balance Awareness Week to broaden awareness of balance-related vestibular conditions from September 17 – 23, 2023. The campaign aims to enhance awareness of vestibular disorders and highlight their visibility so patients can receive quick and effective diagnosis and treatment, thereby improving their quality of life.

“The term ‘vestibular’ may sound complicated, but most people can relate to feeling dizzy at some point in their lives. However, imagine experiencing that sensation 24/7, coupled with other symptoms such as imbalance, brain fog, and fatigue – the list is endless. It is vital to spread awareness about how vestibular dysfunction can dramatically impact one’s life and provide hope to those struggling with these symptoms,” said Cynthia Ryan, Executive Director of VeDA.

Many people tend to overlook the importance of having good balance. The vestibular system, which comprises the inner ear and the brain, plays a crucial role in processing sensory information essential in controlling balance and eye movements. Vestibular disorders affect more than 35% of the population, and approximately one-third of reported dizziness and vertigo symptoms result from a vestibular problem.

“Being diagnosed with an invisible illness can feel extremely isolating and very frustrating,” says VeDA Ambassador Christine Moyer, a vestibular patient who saw thirteen doctors in thirteen weeks before finally receiving a diagnosis of PPPD.

After two years of overwhelming stress, anxiety, and trauma, accompanied with chronic ear infections, she suddenly became bedridden with debilitating non-vertigo dizziness. “Through lifestyle changes, my faith in God, vestibular rehab therapy, and medication, I was able to slowly regain my stability.” Christine aims to share hope and positivity with others and educate them through her social media account, @thatdizzygirl.

Dave Giugno was diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease in 2014 and underwent a labyrinthectomy in 2019. Within a year his vertigo returned and he was diagnosed with Bilateral Meniere’s Disease and Vestibular Migraine. His hearing loss and conditions leave him unable to work. “I’ve learned to embrace my disability. It’s who I am and I have to be happy with myself. If I’m not happy with myself I won’t be happy anywhere so even though every day is a challenge I have learned to embrace it”, explains Dave. He shares informative videos through his Meniere’s Disease Warrior YouTube channel to educate and support fellow vestibular patients, so they don’t have to face the challenges of their journey alone.

Christine and Dave are among the numerous VeDA Ambassadors who have transformed their painful experiences into a force for good. They strive to lessen the stigma related to vestibular disorders and inspire people to seek the support they need.

To learn how you can get involved with Balance Awareness Week visit:

https://vestibular.org/baw/

ABOUT the Vestibular Disorders Association / (VeDA)

VeDA supports people with vestibular disorders by connecting them to healthcare specialists and support networks and promotes awareness of the vestibular patient experience.

Website: vestibular.org

Facebook: facebook.com/vestibulardisorders 

Instagram: instagram.com/vestibularveda 

Media Contact

Cynthia Ryan, The Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA), 1 8008378428, [email protected], vestibular.org

SOURCE The Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA)



Society: Social Services

Mark Frost Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Brookhaven Georgia

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Conservative former automotive retail executive to challenge area’s largely liberal establishment the non-partisan contest.

BROOKHAVEN, Ga., Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — First-time candidate Mark Frost announced his candidacy for mayor today. He completed qualifying and will be on the ballot for the November 7, 2023 election.

Other declared candidates at this time are current Brookhaven District 2 City Council member John Park – a former college roommate of current Mayor John Ernst – and small business owner Lauren Kiefer.

Self-described as a ‘semi-retired consultant,’ Frost’s spent 30+ years in the automobile retail industry. Most notably, he worked for Jim Ellis Automotive Atlanta for 13 years. As Ellis’ VP of Operations – GM Brands, Frost engaged the company in many Brookhaven fundraising activities such as the Brookhaven Bolt, the Chili Cook Off, First Responders Appreciation, DeKalb Fire station events, and others.

Frost spent his youth in NH, graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a B.A, and moved to Georgia in 1987. He and his wife – empty nesters – reside in the Ashford Park area of Brookhaven.

Asked about his motivation for entering the race, Frost said “It is my desire to give a greater voice in government to the taxpayers of Brookhaven. The seemingly extravagant spending, including a massive $78 million being spent on a new city hall; the huge spike in personal and business property tax bills; and the volume of controversies – including the Toco Hills annexation affair – has left me and my supporters wondering if the current regime hasn’t completely lost touch with its constituency. Inflation has had a devastating effect on many Brookhaven families and the time to endeavor to provide some relief is now.”

For more information on Frost’s bid to become Brookhaven’s next mayor, go to http://www.markfrostformayorbrookhaven.com.

Media Contact

Mark Frost, Mark Frost For Mayor LLC, 1 4047976485, [email protected], www.markfrostformayorbrookhaven.com

Twitter

SOURCE Mark Frost For Mayor LLC



Science: Biology

Valasys Media LLP Ranks No. 2732 on the 2023 Inc. 5000 as America’s Fastest Growing Private Company

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Chief Executive Officer, Valasys Media:

“Valasys Mediac makes it into the Inc.5000 list!!! We are absolutely thrilled and delighted. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all our enthusiastic employees for their unwavering dedication, diligent efforts to bring our brand to the global scale. I extend my sincere thanks to our esteemed and trusted clients and partners who believe in the quality of our products and services.”

The Inc. 5000 class of 2023 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate ticked up to an astonishing 2,238 percent. In all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 1,187,266 jobs to the economy over the past three years.

For complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, location, and other criteria, go to www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine, available on newsstands beginning Tuesday, August 23.

“Running a business has only gotten harder since the end of the pandemic,” says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. “To make the Inc. 5000—with the fast growth that requires—is truly an accomplishment. Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that are building our future.”

“As a result of this acclamation, Valasys’ workforce demonstrates a commitment to the success of our clients through our innovative approach to helping all MerTech fraternity with highly sophisticated Demand Generation strategies that leverage Valasys’s AI Driven and Intent-based platform that helps all our clients achieve superior benefits. It’s well known and trusted by our serving clients and their channel partners that our most advanced levels of Data Insight accelerate their purchaser’s journey for more client acquisition.”

Valasys Media consistently demonstrates cutting-edge solutions because they have a deep understanding of their clients’ needs and problems. Their clients have achieved exceptional results thanks to their knowledge of designing marketing strategies, utilising data analytics, and utilising emerging technologies, giving them a competitive edge in the market.

Valasys Media has made strides in creating an environment that encourages innovation and collaboration in addition to their client-centric approach. Employees are encouraged to think outside the box and offer original ideas because the company places a strong emphasis on experimentation and creativity. The core values of Valasys Media are strongly influenced by this unwavering dedication to innovation, which permeates every facet of their business operations.

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

Companies on the 2023 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2019. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2022. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2019 is $100,000; the minimum for 2022 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places.

About Inc.

Inc. Business Media is the leading multimedia brand for entrepreneurs. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.’s award-winning work reaches more than 50 million people across a variety of channels, including events, print, digital, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, slated for October 31 – November 2 in San Antonio, visit http://conference.inc.com/.

Media Contact

Mohammad Tareeq, Valasys Media, 1 +1 862-904-0242, [email protected], https://valasys.com/

Twitter

SOURCE Valasys Media



Home and Family: Marriage / Relationships

New data validates an association between trauma-related disorders and the development of Parkinson’s disease in military veterans

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In a study of nearly 360,000 military veteran records released earlier this year in the Movement Disorders journal, researchers provide evidence that traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), both trauma-related disorders, are risk factors for Parkinson’s disease (PD).

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — In a study of nearly 360,000 military veteran records released earlier this year in the Movement Disorders journal, researchers provide evidence that traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), both trauma-related disorders, are risk factors for Parkinson’s disease (PD).

While this correlation has long been suspected, the results of this study validate the hypothesis with the researchers’ case-controlled approach and consideration of comorbidities. This study further suggests that these common war-related illnesses may ignite biochemical changes that precede and fuel the development of Parkinson’s disease decades later.

“While a link between head trauma and the later emergence of Parkinson’s has been widely accepted for some time, this paper is of interest for several reasons,” said Dr. Jon Stoessl, University of British Columbia and editor of the Movement Disorders Journal. “Similar to a prior report (White et al., Ann Neurol 2020), the authors have identified an independent and synergistic link between PTSD and PD. They examined a large cohort (nearly 72,000 cases and nearly 290,000 matched controls from the VA database), used a minimum lag time of 5 years between exposure and PD diagnosis, and have gone back as long as 60 years prior to the emergence of PD. Applying an unusual degree of rigor for this type of research, the authors ascertained a diagnosis of PD based on chart review by a movement disorders specialist in addition to administrative (diagnostic code and prescription) data. They furthermore restricted the definition of TBI and PTSD to events that occurred during active military service. The odds ratio (OR) for PD in those with TBI range from 1.5-2.0 (depending upon time of exposure) and for PTSD, the OR was 1.7-1.8. The findings not only confirm the importance of earlier TBI as a risk factor for later PD, but also point to the independent and synergistic importance of PTSD in future neurodegeneration. The findings thus have important implications for understanding the pathogenesis of PD and for the consideration of novel preventative and disease modifying approaches.”

About the 2023 MDS International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders®:
The MDS International Congress is the premiere annual event to advance the clinical and scientific discipline of Movement Disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. Convening thousands of leading clinicians, scientists and other health professionals from around the globe, the International Congress will introduce more than 1,800 scientific abstracts and provide a forum for education and collaboration on latest research findings and state-of-the-art treatment options.

About the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society:
The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society® (MDS), an international society of more than 11,000 clinicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For more information about MDS, visit http://www.movementdisorders.org.

Media Contact

Shea Higgins, International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, 1 (414) 276-2145, [email protected], mdscongress.org

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SOURCE International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society



Health

MDS Task Force on Pediatrics publishes recommendations for transitional care for young people with movement disorders

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In a review published this year in the journal Movement Disorders Clinical Practice, members of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) Task Force on Pediatrics collaborated to generate recommendations about providing transitional care for patients with childhood-onset movement disorders.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — In a review published this year in the journal Movement Disorders Clinical Practice, members of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) Task Force on Pediatrics collaborated to generate recommendations about providing transitional care for patients with childhood-onset movement disorders.

Childhood-onset movement disorders are often diagnosed by specialized pediatric neurologists, who follow them over the years. However, as patients approach adulthood, a transition to adult clinics becomes necessary, presenting a challenging and intricate shift for both patients and healthcare providers.

The group comprised internationally diverse pediatric and adult neurologists to incorporate global perspectives. These experts completed multiple rounds of anonymized web-based surveys and subsequent discussions to reach consensus in a bias-limiting method known as the Delphi process.

“In a significant stride towards enhancing patient care, the authors have issued a comprehensive set of recommendations, aimed at facilitating the successful and seamless transition of young patients with movement disorders from pediatric to adult healthcare systems,” said Prof. Michele Matarazzo, Hospital HM Puerta Del Sur.

“These recommendations extend beyond conventional clinical management, such as reappraising the diagnosis and the continuity of the treatment, and encompass patient-centered measures, oriented at supporting them and their family in this complex phase of change,” Matarazzo said. “For example, some of the clearest focuses of the recommendations are represented by the multidisciplinary, the integration of patients and their family in the entire transitional process, and the progressive shift with a time of overlap between pediatric and adult clinics.

“Another key aspect of the recommendations is represented by the emotional support and the guide towards more autonomy that should be part of preparing the patient to an adult life with the disease.

“While their implementation might pose challenges in certain settings — as they require an infrastructure, time, professionals and financial resources, that might not be readily available everywhere — they still offer invaluable insights that can serve as incremental goals for achieving successful transitions.”

*View all of today’s news from the MDS International Congress: https://www.mdscongress.org/Press

About the 2023 MDS International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders®:
The MDS International Congress is the premiere annual event to advance the clinical and scientific discipline of Movement Disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. Convening thousands of leading clinicians, scientists and other health professionals from around the globe, the International Congress will introduce more than 1,800 scientific abstracts and provide a forum for education and collaboration on latest research findings and state-of-the-art treatment options.

About the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society:
The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society® (MDS), an international society of more than 11,000 clinicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For more information about MDS, visit http://www.movementdisorders.org.

Media Contact

Shea Higgins, International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, 1 (414) 276-2145, [email protected], mdscongress.org

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SOURCE International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society



Health

Novel Application of Machine Learning Approaches Predicts Gait Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease

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A machine learning approach from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) multi-spectral diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) showed prediction of gait dysfunction in PD according to a study released today at the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders® in Copenhagen, Denmark.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — A machine learning approach from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) multi-spectral diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) showed prediction of gait dysfunction in PD according to a study released today at the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders® in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Several neuroimaging studies in Parkinson’s disease (PD) suggest an altered interplay between cortical and subcortical brain areas at a structural and functional level each that contributes to gait dysfunction in PD.

This study used 7 different quantitative DTI measures from 43 PD patients along with UPDRS III, to develop a prediction model for gait dysfunction using different machine learning approaches and 60 template regions of interest (ROIs). The analysis concluded that the multilayer perceptron (MLP) machine learning approach with 5 hidden layers and Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) activation performed best to predict gait dysfunction in PD with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78.

Klaus Seppi, Director of the Department of Neurology at the Hospital Kufstein and Professor for Neurology with the focus on Movement Disorders of the Department of Neurology at the Medical University Innsbruck, responded to this study.

“Recent advances in MR methodology allowing quantitative evaluation of biochemical changes and macro- and microstructural alterations as well as analytic approaches including voxel-based analyses, machine-learning techniques and other post-processing algorithms have gained growing popularity in medical image analysis offering insights into the pathophysiology underlying key symptoms such as gait dysfunction in PD,” Seppi said. “This study suggests that a machine learning approach of DTI analysis may have potential in predicting gait dysfunction in PD patients if confirmed by larger confirmative studies. Moreover, future studies have to explore if this pattern changes with disease progression.”

View the full-text abstract:
http://www.mdsabstracts.org – Reference #: 297

*View all of today’s breaking MDS International Congress research news releases:
https://www.mdscongress.org/Press

About the 2023 MDS International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders®: 
The MDS International Congress is the premiere annual event to advance the clinical and scientific discipline of Movement Disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. Convening thousands of leading clinicians, scientists and other health professionals from around the globe, the International Congress will introduce more than 1,800 scientific abstracts and provide a forum for education and collaboration on latest research findings and state-of-the-art treatment options. 

About the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society: 
The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society® (MDS), an international society of more than 11,000 clinicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For more information about MDS, visit http://www.movementdisorders.org. ;

Media Contact

Shea Higgins, International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, 1 (414) 276-2145, [email protected], mdscongress.org

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SOURCE International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society