Rare Brain Condition Now Eligible for Department of Defense Research Dollars
Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) December 23, 2014 -- On Friday, December 19, 2014, President Obama signed into law H.R. 83, the Omnibus and Continuing Resolution Appropriations Act of 2015, which for the first time, made hydrocephalus a condition eligible to receive funding through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) administered by the Department of Defense (DoD). The Hydrocephalus Association (HA), working in conjunction with its allies on Capitol Hill, is celebrating this victory for the over 1 million children, adults and seniors currently living with this incurable brain condition, where the only treatment requires brain surgery.
“This is a huge win for the hydrocephalus patient community, as it provides new opportunities to obtain much needed research funding which could result in better treatment options for the many children, veterans, and elderly suffering from this incurable condition,” stated Dawn Mancuso, CEO of the Hydrocephalus Association.
The CDMRP has appropriations of over $247 million, which are used to fund the best scientific and medical research aimed at preventing, controlling, and curing disease.
“One of the most common congenital conditions in newborns is hydrocephalus. However, anyone at any age can acquire the condition from brain injury, infection, and tumors, among other causes,” stated Dr. Richard G. Ellenbogen, chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington and a lead researcher on a $2.37 million study of the long term neurologic consequences of traumatic brain injuries funded by The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. “Research into the causes and novel treatments for hydrocephalus have been needed for a long time. The funding simply has not been there. This is a huge opportunity for the hydrocephalus research community to make significant strides in better understanding the causes and cutting edge treatment options for a population in desperate need of these solutions.”
HA has spent the last three years working with its partners in Congress, including the Congressional Hydrocephalus Caucus, as well as researchers, partner organizations, and patient advocates through the Hydrocephalus Action Network, to bring attention to this condition.
About the Hydrocephalus Association
Hydrocephalus is a chronic life-threatening condition that causes an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain. The Hydrocephalus Association (HA) is a charitable organization dedicated to eliminating the challenges of hydrocephalus by stimulating research and supporting people who are affected by this condition. Incorporated as a non-profit in 1986, HA is now the nation’s largest and most widely respected organization dedicated solely to serving those affected by hydrocephalus. HA has been instrumental in creating a community of individuals, families and health care professionals addressing the complexities of hydrocephalus in all age groups.
Amanda Garzon, Hydrocephalus Association, http://www.hydroassoc.org, (301) 202-3811 Ext: 26, [email protected]
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