Weill Cornell Medicine

Researchers have developed a preclinical model with visual impairment similar to that seen in patients with Parkinson's to better understand the development of the disease, which affects an estimated one million Americans. Although it is popularly known as a movement disorder, its effects on the brain and body can include early vision problems, dementia, sleep disorders, and reduced intestinal function. Findings from the team at Weill Cornell Medicine point to a potential new strategy for detecting Parkinson’s disease, understanding the disease's mechanisms and testing potential therapies. Read more: https://bit.ly/4cLMlFY

The Weill Cornell Medicine Human Resources and Flourish program hosted the first Well-Being Week & Expo to create an environment where our staff can thrive. Our benefit vendors supported the event and featured virtual well-being webinars focusing on emotional, financial and physical wellness. Additionally, the Well-Being Expo provided an interactive opportunity for staff to explore wellness, meet clinical departments, and learn more about health and retirement benefits. It was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to dive into what makes us all feel great!

"I'm a tough guy and I can handle pain, but it got to the point where I couldn't leave the house. It was happening too often and too intensely; it was interfering with my quality of life," said Pat Pesce, a retired NYPD detective turned security driver. Pat faced a formidable opponent in trigeminal neuralgia, a debilitating condition that was causing him severe facial pain. Despite his toughness, the pain threatened to sideline him, prompting a search for relief. Dr. Matthew Fink of Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital diagnosed him and prescribed medication, but the pain persisted. That's when he decided to explore surgical options. Trigeminal neuralgia causes severe pain along the trigeminal nerve pathway and can be caused by nerve compression. Dr. Philip Stieg, a neurosurgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, suggested microvascular decompression surgery. Still, Pat opted for a radiofrequency lesioning procedure, which provided temporary relief, but the pain returned. This delicate procedure involved relocating blood vessels compressing the nerve, offering Pat a new lease on life. After his surgery, Pat experienced profound relief from the pain that once hindered his everyday joys. He now enjoys retirement with his family and is grateful for his skilled and compassionate medical team. Pat's journey highlights the importance of early intervention and trust in healthcare providers. His resilience and confidence in his medical team demonstrate the transformative power of professional care in overcoming debilitating conditions. Patrick, now 74, enjoys a pain-free retirement and spends time with his family. However, he has not lost his old habits and is back driving, picking up his two-and-a-half-year-old great-granddaughter. After reflecting on his experience, Pat encourages others who face similar challenges to seek prompt medical guidance and trust in their physicians. He expresses immense gratitude for his care team and embraces each day with renewed vigor, celebrating his freedom from pain.

Our researchers have used machine learning to define three subtypes of Parkinson’s disease, a finding that may inform the development of customized treatment strategies for patients. “Parkinson’s disease is highly heterogeneous, which means that people with the same disease can have very different symptoms,” said Dr. Feng Wei of Weill Cornell Medicine. “This indicates there is not likely to be a one-size-fits-all approach to treating it." Using deep learning-based approaches to analyze database records, a team led by Dr. Wang and Dr. Chang Su have identified three subtypes based on disease progression. They named them the Inching Pace subtype (PD-I, about 36% of patients) for disease with a mild baseline severity and mild progression speed; the Moderate Pace subtype (PD-M, about 51% of patients) for cases that have mild baseline severity but advance at a moderate rate; and Rapid Pace subtype (PD-R), for cases with the most rapid symptom progression rate. They also explored the molecular mechanism associated with each subtype and found distinct brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for the three subtypes. https://bit.ly/4cH5jOb

Evelyn Schaedel noticed something was wrong when she started experiencing dizziness after moving from the East Coast to Texas, where the heat and ceiling fans made her feel lightheaded. "I thought that I'm just adjusting, and I've been on my screens too much," Evelyn recalls. A doctor initially diagnosed her with vertigo and prescribed an antihistamine, but the dizziness persisted, and she developed tinnitus, which sounded like ocean waves in her ear. She underwent an MRI, and to her surprise, doctors found a rare benign mass known as a colloid cyst. A colloid cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms in the brain. It is filled with a jelly-like substance called colloid. They are incredibly rare, occurring in only about 3 people per 1 million. Following her diagnosis, Evelyn joined a Facebook group for individuals with colloid cysts. Recommendations led her to consider treatment at Weill Cornell Medicine, including Dr. Brian Hood, a neurosurgeon in Texas who advised her to consult with our surgeon Dr. Mark Souweidane. She contacted our team in August 2023, and her case was not just acknowledged but handled immediately. "Our patients put their lives in our hands, and we take that seriously," Dr. Souweidane says. "Colloid cysts were once considered too dangerous to reach with open surgery, but the arrival of the endoscope completely changed the game. The endoscopic approach makes opening up the skull and risk complications unnecessary. Removing the cyst endoscopically involves making one small entry hole, navigating directly to the cyst, and eliminating it with small surgical tools." Evelyn says she received top-notch care from start to finish. Our team was there every step of the way, patiently answering all her questions about what to expect. "Everyone listened, everyone addressed the concerns and didn't beat around the bush," she says. Her surgery went well, and Evelyn says none of her cognitive abilities were impacted. A recent scan came back with no signs of regrowth. After surgery, Evelyn resumed her normal activities without any significant changes. She is grateful for the support she received and is optimistic about her future health.

Managing weight is more than just counting calories and exercising more, as Audrey and Don Friel have learned. Their physician Dr. Louis Aronne understands that, too. In Dr. Aronne’s office, the Friels have found a judgment-free zone. “Gain, lose, his attitude toward you as a patient is the same,” Don Friel said. Decades of studies say that this stubborn excess weight results from disruptions to the complex internal system. Scientists are uncovering a whole weight-regulation system consisting of hormones, fat tissue and an array of organs that act on the brain to stimulate or suppress hunger and adjust energy expenditure. In recent years, popular weight loss drugs have proven effective in managing weight and diabetes. But those medications are not without their drawbacks and don’t work for everyone. Since he began seeing Dr. Aronne in 2012, Don Friel is down 140 pounds from his peak weight. His body fights the medication, however, and to keep the weight off, he increased his dosage of semaglutide. “When I start getting hungry,” he says, “I get a little nervous, because” — “it’s a lifelong feeling,” Audrey Friel interjects. Still, Dr. Aronne predicts that one day these medications will be prescribed sooner and in smaller doses to prevent a patient from progressing to obesity. Read the full story in our summer issue of IMPACT: https://bit.ly/3W74oiM

A team led by Dr. Brad Jones has received $4.2 million to study how the immune system in some people infected with HIV can keep the virus under control, which could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for thwarting or eliminating HIV. The “Method for Extending Research in Time” (MERIT) grant from the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at The National Institutes of Health provides outstanding investigators with longer-term support for high-risk, high-reward experiments that could lead to significant breakthroughs. Full story: https://bit.ly/3zKHd6w

A new consortium co-led by our researchers has been awarded a $31 million grant to accelerate the development of faster, more effective treatment regimens for tuberculosis (TB). The National Institutes of Health grant brings together more than 30 multidisciplinary researchers from 20 institutions in 6 countries to identify the most promising new and existing treatment combinations for TB and help advance them toward clinical trials. A lack of new drug development and lengthy existing treatment regimens have contributed to the persistence of TB worldwide despite the availability of curative antimicrobial therapies. https://bit.ly/3Lib5JZ