Addressing Neurologic Conditions with Precision

Charting Pediatrics

One of the great medical accomplishments of our time is the evolution of precision medicine. The ability to understand a patient’s unique genetic profile has become more accessible to our patients, and now, there are multiple mechanisms for using that information to overcome disease.

One of the specialties leading the way in precision medicine is pediatric neurology. According to the World Health Organization, more than one in three people are affected by some type of neurological condition. They are a leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. This subset of precision medicine will not only help us decrease those numbers but also allow us to treat some of these conditions in ways we have never done before.

To detail this exciting work, we’re joined by two experts. Scott Demarest, MD, and Julie Parsons, MD, are both pediatric neurologists at Children’s Hospital Colorado and faculty at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Demarest focuses on rare epilepsy conditions, and Dr. Parsons specializes in neuromuscular disease. Dr. Demarest is the Clinical Director of the Precision Medicine Institute at Children’s Colorado.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• Understanding precision neurology within the context of precision medicine
• Why precision neurology positively impacts diagnosis and treatment options
• How families are more easily accessing important genetic testing
• The role primary care providers play with caring for these rare diseases

For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.