The Hydrocephalus Association has announced research grants to scientists at five medical centers, in a new initiative to address the shortfall in progress in the treatment of hydrocephalus, a condition affecting one million Americans. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid collects in the ventricles of the brain, causing neurological symptoms that can become life threatening. It strikes all ages from newborns to the elderly. There is no cure and treatment options are limited to surgical procedures developed more than 50 years ago.
"We were very impressed with the quality of applicants and institutions in our first grant cycle," said David Browdy, Associate Dean of the Feinberg Medical School and Chairman of the Hydrocephalus Association's Research Committee. "The five mentored Young Investigator Awards are being awarded to researchers at Cornell Medical College, the Scripps Research Institute, University of Utah, Harvard/Children's Hospital Boston and the Cleveland Clinic."
The two-year awards of $110,000 will support the work of young investigators under the mentorship of senior researchers at these leading research institutions. The awards are the first major step of the Hydrocephalus Association's new mission to eliminate the challenges of hydrocephalus by stimulating innovative research to improve outcomes and eventually find a cure for hydrocephalus.