“Every day, some of our nation’s most cutting-edge medical research is being performed right here in the Lower Hudson Valley,” said Lowey. “I am proud to fight for federal resources for the Burke Medical Research Institute and other outstanding local facilities whose important work keeps New Yorkers healthy while dramatically improving health outcomes across the country."
The $475,000 grant will be used as seed money for a device that improves sight in people with neurological injuries. Patients are shown pictures or other stimulants and asked to visually track them across a screen. Music plays when the images are tracked properly but stops if they are followed incorrectly.
Because these patients’ extensive brain damage has left them unable to communicate what they see, the device helps doctors understand what is being perceived visually while also stimulating and improving the patient’s visual system.
“We are thrilled,” said Dr. Rajiv R. Ratan, executive director of the Burke Medical Research Institute. “While much of what we are doing here promises improvements in clinical care in five or ten years, this new piece of equipment can improve care almost immediately.”
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