East Hanover, NJ, Aug. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- John DeLuca, PhD, senior vice president for Research and Training at Kessler Foundation, has been awarded the Fred Foley Award for Best Practices in Mental Health and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The Fred Foley Award, established in 2016 by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), recognizes Dr. DeLuca’s outstanding contributions to advancing research in the understanding and clinical treatment of cognitive impairments in MS.
Mental health deficits, such as depression and anxiety, remain a major impediment among individuals with MS; affecting quality of life, self-care, relationships, employment status, and adherence to MS disease modifying therapies. One focus of cognitive rehabilitation research for MS at Kessler Foundation is improvement of the individual’s acquisition of information through memory and learning techniques.
“Cognitive impairments affect many people with MS, but further research is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of this aspect of the disease,” explained Dr. DeLuca. “Our MS research aims to improve quality of life by developing effective non-invasive treatments, using the latest in brain imaging technology, to minimize the effects of MS on cognitive performance. Our ultimate goal is to help individuals with MS remain active participants in their communities, the workplace and family life. I am honored to be associated with the work of Dr. Foley, who has dedicated his career to improving mental health treatment and outcomes in persons with MS and their family members.”
The award is named after Frederick W. Foley, PhD, professor of psychology at Yeshiva University and Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and director of Neuropsychology & Psychosocial Research at Holy Name Medical Center Multiple Sclerosis Center. Dr. DeLuca accepted the award at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the CMSC in New Orleans, where he gave a presentation on cognitive rehabilitation in MS.
About Dr. John DeLuca:
John DeLuca, PhD, senior vice president for Research and Training, oversees Kessler Foundation’s renowned rehabilitation research in MS, brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, and other disabling conditions. The author of more than 300 articles, books, and chapters, Dr. DeLuca has received numerous awards for his research, including early career awards from the American Psychological Association and the National Academy of Neuropsychology, and a mid-career award from the International Neuropsychological Society, where he now serves on the board. He is a professor in the Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Neurology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and neuropsychology consultant to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League and the New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer team.
About MS Research at Kessler Foundation:
Kessler Foundation's cognitive rehabilitation research in MS is funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, National MS Society, Consortium of MS Centers, the Patterson Trust, Biogen Idec, Hearst Foundations, the International Progressive MS Alliance, and Kessler Foundation. Under the leadership of John DeLuca, PhD, senior VP for Research & Training, and Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, director of Neuropsychology & Neuroscience Research, scientists have made important contributions to the knowledge of cognitive decline in MS and developed new treatments. Clinical studies span new learning, memory, executive function, attention and processing speed, cognitive reserve, emotional processing, employment and cognitive fatigue. Research tools include innovative applications of neuroimaging, mobile devices, and virtual reality. Neuroimaging studies are conducted at the research-dedicated Rocco Ortenzio Neuroimaging Center at Kessler Foundation. Kessler researchers and clinicians have faculty appointments in the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
About Kessler Foundation:
Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility, and long-term outcomes—including employment—for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation also leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
For more information on Kessler Foundation’s research, visit KesslerFoundation.org.
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Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/200164a0-21aa-45aa-8262-c1558a745cb4