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Steve Gleason Institute for Neuroscience to Come up at WSU Health Sciences Spokane

Education

Steve Gleason Institute for Neuroscience to Come up at WSU Health Sciences Spokane

Washington State University (WSU) is establishing Steve Gleason Institute for Neuroscience at Spokane’s University District to develop care and cure for brain diseases. The university announced this Tuesday on its official website.

The institute will collaborate with Team Gleason to focus on innovative “care and cures” for brain diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. These conditions affect many Americans, and the health care costs run into billion dollars each year. The institute is expected to open in the second half of 2019.

Steve Gleason, a Former WSU and NFL star was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. He founded the non-profit Team Gleason to aid in developing and providing assistive equipment and technologies for people with ALS.

“WSU has worked with Steve Gleason to raise awareness of ALS and to ultimately expand knowledge of neurodegenerative disorders,” said WSU Health Sciences Chancellor Daryll DeWald. “The Gleason Institute will have WSU researchers working collaboratively with health care providers from St. Luke’s, Providence, MultiCare, and patients to bridge the gaps between care and potential treatments of those disorders and their impact on patients and caregivers.”

The institute may include:

  • The Clinical Research and Care Unit — to focus on motor and cognitive therapy and support clinical trials of new medications or treatments.
  • The Assistive Technology and Smart Home Center for patient exposure, training, and the advancement of augmented reality, virtual reality, brain machine interfaces, and prosthetic devices.
  • The Discovery Research Unit — including laboratories and shared facilities for scientists and support staff.

“I’m honored that my alma mater, Washington State University, is committed to helping us further our mission of helping people live productively and purposefully, despite ALS or other diseases. I am also grateful that so many partners have come together to help achieve this comprehensive vision.” Gleason said, adding, “It is my goal that the Institute will advance leading-edge technology while gaining valuable information that will help unravel the mysteries of ALS and all brain diseases.”

Team Gleason also tweeted, “Very exciting! Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible. We are just getting started, but I have high expectations. #GoCougs -SG.”

Katherine Galliher

Katherine Galliher is a writer and a passionate musician who loves to travel often. She has worked a freelance writer for multiple agencies and online platforms. Apart from keeping herself busy in writing she founds her interest in biking and exploring new places.

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