Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research was established in 1984, and is now one of the largest and most comprehensive programs for multiple sclerosis (MS) care and research worldwide. They focus on addressing physical, emotional, cognitive and rehabilitation needs of the MS patient and their family members through a team approach.
Mellen Center physicians are national leaders in basic and clinical research related to MS pathogenesis and medical management and have made major contributions in the development of drugs to control MS disease activity and progression. They provide consultative services for neurologists and patients world-wide and ongoing care for approximately 8,000 MS patients annually, including approximately 1,600 new patient/consult visits.
Program highlights for the Mellen Center include neurorehabilitation, imaging, therapeutics and clinical research. Integration of neurorehabilitation with spasticity management through the use of baclofen pumps and Botox injections. Implanted 42 baclofen pumps in 2006, a 30% increase over 2005. Standard and investigational imaging provided through standard and high field strength MRI equipment staffed by an expert team. Latest pharmaceutical therapies delivered in the setting of a new, 15-chair infusion center.
The Mellen Center provides significant clinical research opportunities available for Mellen Center patients, ranging from genetic studies through trials of new treatments. Funded research for basic and clinical science totaled $6,129,031 at the Mellen Center in 2006, representing a large research program in experimental therapeutics, neuroimaging, neurorehabilitation, neurobiology and immunology and leading to 79 published.