HJNO Sep/Oct 2020

30 SEP / OCT 2020  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS   Healthcare Briefs Tulane Study Seeks New Insights into Panic Disorder, Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder Panic disorder is one of the most common men- tal disorders in the United States, with nearly five percent of the population suffering attacks that cause extreme disruption in their daily lives. The cause of panic disorder is not fully under- stood, but it is likely attributable to altered neu- ronal processes, said Jonathan Fadok, an assis- tant professor of psychology at Tulane University. “Over the last several decades we have gained tremendous knowledge of the neurobiology underlying fear-related learning,” Fadok said. “But the mechanisms that regulate high-inten- sity fear reactions such as panic remain poorly understood.” Fadok, who serves on the faculty of the Tulane Brain Institute, recently received a $2.24 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to conduct research that will lead to the identifi- cation of neurobiological mechanisms through which the brain reacts to fearful stimuli. The grant allows Fadok and his team at the Tulane Brain Institute to complete earlier research in which they developed a method that allows for the monitoring of behavioral transitions between defensive responses. “The goal of our grant is to understand how the brain controls fear reactions,” Fadok said. “We will explore how different behavioral strategies, such as freezing (rigid immobility), flight (escape behavior), and uncontrollable panic are gener- ated by specific types of neurons in brain areas important for emotion.” The research will involve using cutting-edge techniques to record brain activity and using a process known as optogenetics to control brain activity. Fadok said controlling brain activity using optogenetics, which involves the use of light to control neurons, allows researchers to determine how brain areas and different collections of brain cells contribute to fear. “The results obtained during the grant could provide new insights into post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder,” Fadok said. “Fear- related behavior is dysregulated in these disor- ders and we hope that we can identify potential therapeutic targets.” Kimberly Foster, dean of the Tulane School of Science and Engineering, said she is impressed with Fadok’s early experimental results funded by the Brain Institute’s Marko Spark Award, and she looks forward to the results of his new research. “It is known that PTSD will affect seven per- cent to eight percent of people at least once over their lifetimes, making it a significant soci- etal issue,” she said. “This research may lend new insight into therapeutic approaches for treatment of this condition.” Nearly 2K Families Affected by COVID-19 Receive Financial Support Louisiana Healthcare Connections partnered with 20 community-based organizations to dis- tribute 1,900 pre-paid gift cards to families and individuals who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. The gift cards enable these fami- lies to purchase food and cleaning and personal hygiene items at Walmart and Amazon. “During this epidemic, through our community partners, we have learned that these items are a critical need for families across the state,” said Chelsea Graves, community relations principal for Louisiana Healthcare Connections. “Our state has been extremely responsive by streamlining and increasing access to healthcare, unemployment, and SNAP benefits, but these programs do not cover personal items or cleaning supplies. This gift card program addresses that gap for the fam- ilies who need it most.” In East Baton Rouge Parish, the program pro- vided relief for 350 households, and the response has been one of overwhelming gratitude, accord- ing to Baton Rouge Councilwoman Donna Col- lins Lewis (District 6). “Needless to say, during this difficult time, fam- ilies are having to make many adjustments, and the needs are greater than ever before,” said Col- lins Lewis, on behalf of YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge. “Many families are receiving SNAP bene- fits, but as we know, that program does not allow for the purchase of toiletry and other personal items that are so greatly needed right now, espe- cially with families having to be at home all day. We are so grateful to Louisiana Healthcare Con- nections for recognizing this need and for their continued commitment to our community. Our families are deeply appreciative of the work they do in our city.” Those sentiments were echoed by New Orleans Councilwoman Cyndi Nguyen (District E). Five hundred of the gift cards were provided to New Orleans residents who demonstrated need. Speaking on behalf of Vietnamese Initiatives in Economic Training (VIET), one of the non- profit organizations working to distribute the gift cards, Nguyen said, “While families are strug- gling with the unknown healthcare issues related to the coronavirus, these gift cards have provided a sense of comfort and relief that they can take care of their basic needs.” The crisis has also been particularly difficult for residents of North Louisiana, making the gift cards a welcome offering to 500 families in par- ishes along the I-20 corridor. From its offices in Shreveport, Monroe, and Alexandria, New Hori- zons Independent Living is one of the organiza- tions that has been distributing the cards to client families in need, according to Gale Dean, LCSW, executive director. “This unprecedented epidemic truly requires all of us working together to address the challenges faced by local families,” noted Dean. “We are fortunate to have partners like Louisiana Health- care Connections that share our commitment to helping families affected by COVID-19 to get the resources and services they need, when they need it most.” Other organizations currently distributing the gift cards on behalf of Louisiana Healthcare Con- nections include: • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – GNO/ABO Charitable & Educational Foundation of New Orleans • Children’s Coalition of Monroe • Acadia Council on Aging in Crowley • Families Helping Families of Shreveport • Family Promise of St. Tammany in Slidell • Family Strong Foundation of Lafayette • Greater St. Luke Church in Baton Rouge • HOPE Ministries of Baton Rouge • Livingston Parish Council on Aging in Den- ham Springs • L.O.V.E. Community of DeQuincy • Novare Foundation in Monroe • Ouachita Parish Council on Aging in Monroe • YMCA in Bogalusa