We’re Discussing Focused Ultrasound on April 1st!

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Saturday, April 1, 2023
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
via Zoom

Focused Ultrasound to Treat Essential Tremor

presented by neurosurgeon and neuroscientist
John David Rolston, MD, PhD

In Dr. Rolston’s words: “Since the 1950s, we’ve used surgery to stop tremors after medications stop working. Recently, a new noninvasive method of surgery was developed that uses soundwaves to stop tremors, avoiding the need for any incisions. This technology, focused ultrasound, is approved by the FDA and backed by multiple clinical trials. This presentation will describe the procedure, the most recent advances in focused ultrasound (like second-side treatments), and compare it to other surgeries for tremor.”

Dr. John Rolston is a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, recognized internationally for his contributions to epilepsy surgery and movement disorder surgery. Before moving to Brigham & Women’s, he served as the Director of Epilepsy Surgery and the Director of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at the University of Utah from 2017 to 2022.

Dr. Rolston received his Bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, where he won the Russell Mills Award for Excellence in Computer Science. For his PhD, he developed brain-computer interfaces for epilepsy at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University. He received an MD from Emory University before completing his residency training and post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.

​Inquiries are invited!
Registration is required no later than noon on Wednesday, March 29th!

To register or request information, email Helen Moser or submit the form below.

The CT essential tremor support group is sponsored by

IETF logo tagline 10162012

We’re Discussing Marijuana at our February 4th Meeting!

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Saturday, February 4, 2023
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
via Zoom

Cannabis Pharmacology:
Finding the Hope Amid the Hype

presented by Alison L. Carlson, MS, APRN, NP-C
APRN4U LLC

The goals of this important and timely conversation are:

  • to enhance understanding of the state of cannabis science through exploration of select recent research on cannabis effects, side-effects, dosing, and
  • to address concerns of IETF members regarding Connecticut’s new adult use cannabis program.

Alison L. Carlson, MS, APRN, NP-C is a diplomate of the American Academy of Lifestyle Medicine and owner/clinician of APRNA4U LLC, a medical cannabis certification and therapeutic cannabinoid resource established in 2018. Her interests and areas of research include preventive aging, complex care management, neurodegenerative disorders, addiction, and mental health.

​Inquiries are invited!
Registration is required no later than noon on Wednesday, February 1st!

To register or request information, email Helen Moser or submit the form below.

The CT essential tremor support group is sponsored by

IETF logo tagline 10162012

Save the date!!

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Be sure to save the date for our next regularly scheduled CT Essential Tremor Support Group meeting: 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2023! Bookmark this page for details about our topic/s and speaker/s for that meeting. (Details will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed.)

A note concerning our meetings: Because of our large attendance, we need to convene in hospital conference rooms.. so until our Connecticut hospitals re-open their facilities to large outside groups, we’ll continue to meet via Zoom. That being said, please know that we’re anxious to meet in person again and will continue to monitor the situation so we can make that happen as soon as possible. Although Zoom is a viable option for many of us, we sorely miss those of our long-term members who, for various reasons, don’t participate electronically.

We’ll Discuss 2 Interesting Topics at our December 3rd Meeting!

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Saturday, December 3, 2022
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Zoom

Rehabilitation Strategies and Essential Tremor
presented by Physical Therapist Megan Rood, MSPT, CBIS, CSRS
Hartford Healthcare Rehabilitation Network

~and~

Updates on the Cala Trio Wrist Device
presented by Debbie Donovan, Director, Market Development, HCP
and Liana Hennum, Head of Healthcare Economics Outcomes Research
CalaTrio.com
and Ben, a Cala Trio user, will demonstrate its use and effectiveness

How Does PT and Exercise Impact Essential Tremor?
At this meeting, we will discuss the different types of exercise that can be beneficial for assisting in managing tremor, including strengthening, aquatics and mindfulness. We will also discuss different available wellness classes that are offered and how they may be beneficial for management of ET.

Megan Rood is a Physical Therapist at Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network in Vernon, CT. She has been working in outpatient neurology based clinics since graduating in 2005 from Northeastern University.

Megan is LSVT BIG and Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery certified, providing her with additional education on the treatment and management of movement disorders. She also completed the Parkinson’s Foundation Allied Team Training and is active in developing the standards of treatment and care for Hartford HealthCare Rehab Network. Megan is a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, which have both allowed her a better understanding of different neurological diagnoses.

She has presented to patients and caregivers on different topics including Essential Tremor, Balance and Fall Prevention and the Benefits of Physical Therapy for Movement Disorders at the national, state and local levels.

~then~

Updates on the Cala Trio
Cala Trio therapy is the world’s only non-invasive, drug-free, wrist-worn treatment that addresses the root cause of essential tremor with electrical stimulation known as neuromodulation. And the exciting news is that Cala Trio has just been approved for insurance coverage by Medicare and other insurance companies!

At this meeting, Cala Trio user Ben will demonstrate the use – and effectiveness – of this assistive device.

Debbie Donovan (Director, Market Development, HCP) and Liana Hennum (Head of Healthcare Economics Outcomes Research) will present additional information on the device and respond to any questions you may have about the Cala Trio and/or its insurance coverage. Brian Burke (Northeast territory Manager) will also attend.

​Inquiries are invited!
Registration is required no later than noon on Wednesday, November 30th!

To register or request information, email Helen Moser or submit the form below.

The CT essential tremor support group is sponsored by

IETF logo tagline 10162012

Schedule December 3rd in Your Calendar!

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The next regularly scheduled CT Essential Tremor Support Group meeting is set for 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3rd. Our speakers and program will be announced shortly.. but we do hope you’ll save the date and plan to join us!

A note concerning our meetings: Because of our large attendance, we need to convene in hospital conference rooms.. so until our Connecticut hospitals re-open their facilities to large outside groups, we’ll continue to meet via Zoom. That being said, please know that we’re anxious to meet in person again and will continue to monitor the situation so we can make that happen as soon as possible. Although Zoom is a viable option for many of us, we sorely miss those of our long-term members who, for various reasons, don’t participate electronically.

We’re Exploring Life Hacks at our October 1st Meeting!

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Saturday, October 1, 2022
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
via Zoom

There is a Way!
..we Just Have to Find It!

presented by Nichole Wilton (aka Shakey Nan)

Meet Shakey Nan in her own words:
“My name is Nichole Wilton and I am 51 yrs old in a few weeks. I live an hour inland from Sydney in Australia. I have an amazing husband, 4 biological children, 1 stepson and 4 grandchildren so far. I have had ET all my life or to me I was just a nervous person until I was diagnosed at 27yrs old. Having still, to this day, lived longer thinking it was “just me”, it is actually a normal way of life to me, I have never known a day without shaking. ET is hereditary in my family from both my Mother and Fathers sides although I am the only to have it from birth. Now all 4 of my children have ET and I want to help find that cure now more than ever before my grandchildren get it too.”

At this meeting, Nichole will share many of the work-arounds she’s developed that help with activities of daily living.

We both invite you to bring your questions and personal solutions to this dynamic discussion.

​Inquiries are invited!
Registration is required no later than noon on Wednesday, September 28th!

To register or request information, email Helen Moser or submit the form below.

The CT essential tremor support group is sponsored by

IETF logo tagline 10162012

Save the Date!

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Be sure to save the date for our next regularly scheduled CT Essential Tremor Support Group meeting: 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2022! We’ll be discussing and sharing life hacks for living with ET.. so you won’t want to miss it! Details to follow soon.

A note concerning our meetings: Because of our large attendance, we need to convene in hospital conference rooms.. so until our Connecticut hospitals re-open their facilities to large outside groups, we’ll continue to meet via Zoom. That being said, please know that we’re anxious to meet in person again and will continue to monitor the situation so we can make that happen as soon as possible. Although Zoom is a viable option for many of us, we sorely miss those of our long-term members who, for various reasons, don’t participate electronically.

Join Us for our August 6th Virtual Meeting!

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Saturday, August 6, 2021
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
via Zoom

Development of a New Potential Medicine for Essential Tremor:
Why is it Taking so Long?

presented by Dr. Mandy Sterkel and Dr. Michelle Baladi
Jazz Pharmaceuticals

In this overview on drug development and clinical trial design, Drs. Sterkel and Baladi will cover some key considerations when designing clinical trials. They will discuss the iterative process and collaborative nature of drug development, highlighting the numerous stakeholders Jazz Pharmaceuticals work with along the way, including patients, caregivers, and regulatory agencies. They will also expand on the rationale for developing JZP385 for patients with essential tremor and discuss Jazz’s recently initiated Phase 2b clinical trial, the EveresT Study. This presentation is for anyone interested in learning more about the drug development process and a novel potential medicine for the treatment of essential tremor..

Dr. Mandy Sterkel is a Clinical Scientist within the Neuroscience Clinical Development department at Jazz Pharmaceuticals. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from West Virginia University and completed her post-doctoral fellowship in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. Dr. Sterkel has been at Jazz since 2016, and currently works as the Clinical Science Lead on the JZP385 Essential Tremor program. Dr. Sterkel lives in San Jose, California and in her free time she enjoys running, baking, and spending time with her husband, 1-year old son, and dog.

Dr. Michelle Baladi joined Jazz Pharmaceuticals in 2015 and is currently the global development lead for JZP385, which is a T-type calcium channel modulator in development for the treatment of Essential Tremor. Dr. Baladi holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Texas Health Science Center and has predominantly focused on neuroscience research during her career in the academic and pharmaceutical world. Dr. Baladi resides in the Clinical Development Neuroscience group at Jazz and lives in San Francisco, California. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, attending music concerts, traveling, and reading.

​Inquiries are invited!
Registration is required no later than noon on Wednesday, August 3rd!

To register or request information, email Helen Moser or submit the form below.

The CT essential tremor support group is sponsored by

IETF logo tagline 10162012

Plan to Join Us on August 6th!

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The next regularly scheduled CT Essential Tremor Support Group meeting is set for 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 6th. Our speakers and program will be announced shortly.. but we do hope you’ll save the date and plan to join us!