ADD is a neurological disorder that begins in early childhood and can have a
significant impact on a child�s school performance and social abilities. The clinical
features of the disorder generally appear in early childhood and are present before
seven years of age. The disorder affects 3% - 5% of school age children. Boys are
affected more frequently than girls by a margin of approximately 4 to 1, but girls can
certainly be affected.
Most cases involve some aspect of hyperactivity, which can range from fidgety
behavior to overt reckless motion. Some children with ADD do not have any hyperkinetic
features.
The diagnosis of ADD is purely clinical and is based on a very careful history by
a physician. The pediatric subspecialists involved in the diagnosis include child
neurologists and child psychiatrists. Treatment is available for the disorder and
includes both pharmacological and non- pharmacological approaches. A combination of
therapies is often employed to help the child reach his or her social and academic
potential.
New England Neurological Associates has a learning diagnostic team consisting of
pediatric neurologists, child psychologists, neuropsychologists, and learning
specialists. One or more of these specialists may be involved in consultation with a
child, depending on the particular child�s history. Consultation often starts with the
child neurologist, who begins with a very careful history and physical, and decides
whether the diagnosis is appropriate and whether further work-up consultation is
required.
New England Neurological Associates staff with a particular interest in ADD include
pediatric neurologists Dr. Peter Raffalli and Dr. Michael Robbins.
New England Neurological Associates has the ability to provide and coordinate the full
range of services for the evaluation and surgical treatment of individuals with
peripheral nerve pathology. Nerve conduction studies, EMG, and MRI are available for
diagnostic assessment. Conditions referred in this program include carpal tunnel
syndrome, Schwannomas and neurofibromas, brachial plexus injuries, and ulnar or peroneal
nerve compression.
New England Neurological Associates offers a number of approaches to the management
of epilepsy. These include functional neurosurgery which may help alleviate symptoms,
as well as 24-hour monitoring and testing to determine approaches to medical
management.
The New England Epilepsy Institute, Inc. A number of years ago, New England
Neurological Associates and Holy Family Hospital jointly developed the New England
Epilepsy Institute. This program, located within Holy Family Hospital, provides Merrimack
Valley and Southern New Hampshire residents with the most sophisticated multidisciplinary
approaches and advanced technology for patients with seizure disorders.
The New England Epilepsy Institute specializes in treating patients with poorly
controlled seizure disorders or with unusual seizures that may resemble fainting, panic
attacks and other types of spells. Treatment generally begins with a neurological
evaluation by the epileptologist, a neurologist with advanced training in treating
seizure disorders.
Additional tests and evaluations will be recommended as appropriate. Other services
available at the Institute include inpatient, outpatient and at-home
electroencephalography (EEG), neuropsychological testing of memory, language and other
abilities, psychiatric, psychological care and vocational counseling.
The Institute also provides educational services for lectures and teaching session for
employees, schools and community organizations.
Epilepsy surgery. Dr. Sean Hsu has introduced surgical echniques to our
service area for the surgical treatment of epilepsy. This approach can, for appropriate
patients, lessen the incidence of seizures and have a dramatic impact on patient quality
of life.
New England Neurological Associates offers a multidisciplinary approach to
individuals suffering from Parkinson�s Disease and other movement disorders. Medical
management is offered through movement disorder sub-specialists in neurology. Certain
individuals with this disease are referred for the pallidotomy surgical procedure, which
can alleviate some of the symptoms of Parkinson�s.
Parkinson�s Disease Surgery (Pallidotomy). The goal of the pallidotomy
procedure is to reduce or control Parkinsonian symptoms such as rigidity, tremor, and
dyskinesias. NENA is only one of three programs privileged by Blue Cross and Blue Shield
of Massachusetts as a Center of Excellence to provide stereotactic pallidotomies, along
with the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Boston Medical Center. Dr. Bruce Cook and
Dr. Lowell J. Rosman have performed the pallidotomy procedure since May of 1995. The
pallidotomy program is the result of a team approach incorporating the talents of NENA
neurologists and neurosurgeons, allied with the personnel and resources of Holy Family
Hospital, Methuen, Massachusetts, where the procedures take place.
This surgery is performed with the aide of sophisticated three dimensional imaging by
computers, in conjunction with high field MRI and high resolution CT scans. In addition,
intra-operative semi-micro electrode recordings and deep brain stimulation are used to
optimize the performance of the surgery.
If needed, a physiatrist may be utilized post-operatively, to facilitate the patient's
physical recovery from these debilitating diseases. Implanted deep brain stimulators
(DBS) are also available for intention tremor and severe tremor of Parkinson�s
Disease.
Movement Disorder Team. A group of dedicated neurologists and neurosurgeons is
available to evaluate and treat patients with Parkinson's Disease, severe intention
tremor and other movement disorders. After a thorough evaluation, an optimal treatment
plan will be developed. If necessary, the patient will be referred to a neurosurgeon for
consideration of a stereotactic pallidotomy or thalamotomy.
Disclaimer: The information and references contained
herein are intended solely for the information.
It should not be used for treatment purposes, but rather for
discussion with the patient's own physician.
220 Sutton Street, North Andover, MA 01845
Phone (978) 687-2321 Fax (978) 685-7265