Hope for patients with brain and spine conditions
With recent research concluding that 6 in 10 Americans live with a debilitating neurological disorder, patients, families and clinicians are navigating complex and emotional journeys now more than ever. Our neuroscience research can help. We have a deep portfolio of studies and programs designed to improve the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of brain and spine disorders. We span the spectrum of conditions with a focus on neurogenerative disease and neurorehabilitation.
Areas of interest include:
- Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Myasthenia gravis
- Neurocritical care
- Neurosurgery
- Pain
- Parkinson’s disease
- Spinal cord injury
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
Research teams conducting clinical trials and other research are a part of our Neuroscience Research Center. This includes research performed in close partnership with HealthPartners Center for Memory and Aging and Struthers Parkinson’s Center (designated a National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence). Our research is conducted at multiple sites across the organization including HealthPartners Neuroscience Center, Park Nicollet Struthers Parkinson’s Center, Regions Hospital and Methodist Hospital.
Investigators
Key projects
Pilot study of mindfulness-based dementia care for care partners
Care partners of people with dementia often suffer from chronic stress that impacts their mental and physical health. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been shown to help care partners reduce symptoms of depression. An adapted practice has been tailored specifically to focus on care partners. It’s called mindfulness-based dementia care (MBDC). We are studying MBDC to assess how feasible it is to implement and how well it’s accepted.
Mindfulness-based dementia care includes the core practices, stress-related education and approaches to everyday stressors taught in MBSR. In addition, the mindfulness practices are linked with caregiving.
