Medical director, American Parkinson's Disease Information and Referral Center.  Medical director, the Spasticity and Movement Disorder Center at Allegheny General Hospital.

CONTACT: 

Department of Neurology 
East Wing Office Building, Suite 206 
420 East North Avenue 
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
work phone: (412) 321?6073
 Fax: (412) 321?8561

Education

1 . Loyola University of Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, MD, 1981- 1983

2.  University of Missouri, Kansas City, Mo. Six year iA/MD program, 1977-1981

Post graduate training

1.  University of Pittsburgh. Internship in Medicine and Psychiatry, 1983-1984

2.  University of Pittsburgh, Residency in Neurology, Chief resident 1987, 1984-1987

3.  National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD. Clinical staff fellowship in Clinical Neuropharmacology. Pharmacology of atypical parkinson syndromes, dysautonomias and inherited dementias, 1988-1990

Appointments and Positions

1. University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS. Assistant Professor of Neurology, Department of Neurology, 1991-1993

2. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA. Assistant Professor of Neurology, Department of Neurology and Medical director, American Parkinson's Disease Association (APDA) Information and Referral Center

3. Allegheny University Hospitals, Allegheny General. Medical  Director, Spasticity and Movement  Disorders Center. Medical Director, APDA Information and Referral Center at AGH.

Certification and Licensure

1.  Medical License, State of Pennsylvania, MD-035992-E, 1984

2.  DEA Certificate, BB 2763351

3.  American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Certificate 32940, 1990

Military Service
 U.S. Public Health Service, Indian Health Service 1987?1988 
      Rapid City, South Dakota and Bureau of Prisons 1990?1991 
      Springfield, Missouri.

Grant Support: Extramural support

1. National Headache Foundation. "Study of the neuropharmacology of platelet function in headache". Co?investigator. $6,000, 1991

2. American Parkinson's Disease Association, Information and Referral Center grant. Medical director, $35,000 (annually renewed), 1993-current

3. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. -Interactive Software to Understand Senior Care Options: Parkinson's disease. AGH site principal investigator. "(T. Bradley Tanner PI). Contract ARCR 290-97-0022, October 1997- September 1999.

4. U.S. Veterans Administration. "Motion or Velocity Encoder for Monitoring Essential or Neurologic Tremor" (application 10/97, 3 year grant) $243,221. Co-investigator, 5% salary support first year, 10% support years 2 and 3, 1999-2002

National Institute on Aging, "Living with Parkinson 's Disease: An Interactive CD-ROM", Co-investigator, (T. Bradley Tanner PI Grant # 1 R43 AG15304-01, SBIR Phase I, 1998-current

Grant Support: Drug studies

1. 1991 Principal Investigator, University of Kansas: A randomized, double-blind, multicenter study comparing midodrine (10 mg) vs. placebo in patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. Roberts Laboratories, Inc.

3. 1992 Co-investigator, University of Kansas: A randomized, placebo controlled study of DuP 996, 90, and 120 mg. daily in patients with mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer type. Dupont Merck.

4. 1993 co?investigator, University of Kansas: A double?blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose range finding study of lazabemide in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Hoffman- LaRoche, Inc.

5. 1993 Co-investigator, University of Pittsburgh: Double-blind, parallel-group comparison to assess the safety, tolerance, and efficacy of pramipexole in Advanced Parkinson's disease (0679) and to assess long-term safety with open label pramipexole (0979). Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals.

6. 1994 Principal investigator, University of Pittsburgh: The activity of 7 day N-0923 continuous infusions in stage III through IV Parkinson's patients.

7. 1997 Principal Investigator, University of Pittsburgh: Noncomparative, open-label study to indentify TASMAR dosage regimen in non-fluctuating parkinson's disease (protocol NR15440/M35016).

8. Athena Neuroscience. "Side effects of dopamine agonists, a retrospective review". Principal investigator. 2000.

National Committees and Advisory Boards

1. DuPont Pharmaceutical Parkinson's disease National Advisory Board 1999-current

2. Novartis National Advisory Board in neurological disease 1999 - current

3. Athena Neurosciences, We Move, and International Tremor Foundation Essential Tremor National Advisory board 1998-current

4. Roche Pharmaceutical Speakers Bureau-Tasmar 1997-current

5. Clinical Tools, Inc, Pittsburgh, PA Consultant 1997-current

6. Smith Klein Beechum National Scientific Advisory Board (ropinerol), member 1995-current

7. Parkinson's Study Group, site director at University of Pittsburgh 1995-1997

9. American Parkinson's Disease Association (APDA) Information and referral center at the University of Pittsburgh, Medical Director. 1994-1997, and at the Allegheny General Hospital, 1997-current

9. Huntington's Study Group, site director 1995-current

10. Pramipexole Advanced PD Study Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, member 1993-1996

11. Midodrine Study Group, Roberts Pharmaceuticals, member 1992-1996

Committees and Administrative Service

1. Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Grant, University of Kansas consultant 1992-1993

2. society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Platform section moderator, 1996

3. Ad-hoc journal reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Rehabilitation Engineering, 1999-current

Memberships in professional and medical societies

1. American Academy of Neurology, 1985

2. American Autonomic Society, 1993

3. Movement Disorder Society, 1994

4. Allegheny county Medical Society, 1997

5. American medical Association, 1997

Publications

Manuscripts

1. *The DCCT Research Group. Factors in development of diabetic neuropathy. Baseline analysis of neuropathy in feasibility phase of diabetes control and complication trial (DCCT) . Diabetes 1988; 34: 476-81

2. *Baser SM, Brown RT, Curras MT, Baucom CE, Hooper DR, Polinsky Ri. Beta-receptor  sensitivity in autonomic failure. Neurology
1991;41:1107-1112.

3. *Polinsky RJ, Brown RT, Curras MT, Baser SM, Baucom CE, Hooper DR, Marini AM. Central and peripheral effects of arecoline in patients with autonomic failure. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1991; 54:807-12.

4. *Baser SM, Meer J, Polinsky RJ, Hallet M. Sudomotor function in autonomic failure. Neurology 1991;41:1564-1566.

5. *Fulham MJ, Dubinsky RM, Polinsky RJ, Brooks RA, Brown RT, Curres MT, Baser SM, Hallet M, DiChiro G. Computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography with 18 Fflurodeoxyglucose in multiple system and pure autonomic failure. Clin Autonomic Research 1991;1:27-36.

6. *Polinsky RJ, McRae A, Baser SM, Dahlstrom A. Antibody in the CSF of patients with multiple system atrophy reacts specifically with rat locus ceruleus. J Neurol Sci 1991;106:96-104.

7. *Low PA, Gilden JL, Freeman R, Shang NK J, McElligot, for the Midodrine Study Group. Efficacy of midodrine vs placebo in neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. A randomized, double-blind, multicenter study. JAMA 1997; 277: 1046-1051

8. *Bonarati EA, Rose RD, Kondziolka D, Baser S, Lundeford LD. Flash visual evoked potential monitoring of optic tract function during macroelectrode based pallidotomy. Neurosurgery Focus 1997; 2(3):1-7

9. Segal R. Stacey BR, Rudy TE, Baser S, Markham J. Spinal cord stimulation revisted. Neurol Res 1998; 20; 391-396

10. Bonarati E, Kondziolka D, Baser SM, Kim YS, Brant F, Lunsford L D. Outcomes after stereotactically guided pallidotomy for advanced Parkinson's disease. J Neurosurg 90:197-202, 1999.

11. Kondziolka D, Lunsford D, Baser S, Heyman R. Gamma knife thalamotomy in treatment of essential, parkinsonian, and cerebellar tremor. Neurology 2000 (submitted, accepted with revisions)
 

Chapters in books

1. Baser, SM. Central autonomic syndromes. In; Yates, W. and Miller A., Eds. vestibular Autonomic Regulation. CRC Press, 1996, pg 229-247

2. Baser SM. Pathophysiology of swallowing disorders - neurologic diagnosis. In: Carrau RL and Murry T, Eds., Comprehensive Management of Swallowing Disorders. Singular Publishing Group 1998

3. Baser SM. Pathophysiology of swallowing disorders- neurologic disorders. In: Carrau RL and Murry T, Eds., Comprehensive Management of Swallowing Disorders. Singular Publishing Group 1998

Handbooks

Essential Tremor. A patient information handbook. Pahwa R, Baser S,

O'Brien C, and the members of the Essential Tremor  educational initiative. International Tremor Foundation and Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorder. 2000 (in press)

Abstracts

1. *Baser SM, Eidelman BE, Medager TA. unusual neurologic presentations in Siogren's syndrome. Neurology 1987;37 (Suppl. 1):188.

2. *Polinsky RJ, Hooper D, Baser SM. Reduced CSF somatostatin in multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure. Neurology 1989;39 (Suppl. 1): 142.

3. *Baser SM, Curras MT, Baucom C, Brown RT, Polinsky RJ. Cardiovascular responses to isoproterenol in patients with autonomic failure. Neurology 1989;39 (Suppl. 1): 423.

4. Polinsky RJ, Nee LE, Baucom CE, Hooper DR, Baser SM, Fromelt P. Neurochemical abnormalities in patients with dominantly inherited Alzheimers disease. Second International Symposium on Familial Alzheimer's disease. Seattle, Washington, March 1989.

5. *Sorbinil Neuropathy Study Group. Clinical response to sorbinil treatment in diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes 1989;38 (Suppl. 2):14A.

6. Polinsky RJ, Brown RT, Curras MT, Baser SM, Baucom CE, Hooper DR, Marini AM. Plasma ACTH and catecholamine responses to arecoline in patients with autonomic failure. Clinical Autonomic Research Society proceedings. London, England, November, 1989.

7. *Baser SM, Curras MT, Baucom C, Brown RT, Polinsky RJ. Norepinephrine and renin responses to isoproterenol in autonomic failure. Neurology 1990; 40 (Suppl. 1): 224.

8. *Baser SM, Meer J, Polinsky RJ, Hallett M. Methacoline sweat test in autonomic failure. Neurology 1990; 40 (Suppl 1): 125.

9. *Polinsky RJ, McRae A, Baser SM, Dalstrom A. Antibody in CSF of patients with multiple system atrophy reacts specifically with rat locus ceruleus. Neurology 1990;40 (Suppl 1):401.

10. *Fulham Mi, Polinsky RJ, Vee LE, Baser SM, Brooks RA, DiChiro G, Frommelt P. Cerebral glucose metabolism in dominantly inherited Alzheimer disease: a longitudinal PET study. Neurology 1990;40 (Suppl 1):15.

11. *Baser SM, Eidelman BH, Giuilaini mi. Essential hyperhydromis and tremor. Clin Auton Res 1994, 4: 216

12. *Baser SM, Dekosky S, Brant F, Stone D. Survey-based analysis of risk factors in Parkinson patients in Western Pennsylvania. Neurol 1995: 45: 557

13. Baser SM, Brant F, Levison K, Ferrell R. Survey based analysis of dementia and depression in Parkinson's disease. Procedings of the Fourth National Parkinson Foundation international Symposium of. Parkinson Research. San Diego, CA, November 1995.

14. *Segal R, Baser SM, Stacey B. Spinal cord stimulation in reflex sympathetic dystrophy results in normalization of sweat production and reduction of temperature assymetry. Pain Newsletter 1996; 3 (1): 7

15. *Segal R, Stacey BR, Baser S, Markham J. Spinal cord stimulation revisted. 12th Annual Meeting of the Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. March 1996.

16. *Lieberman A. for the Pramipexole Advanced PD Study Group. Efficacy and safety of pramipexole in advanced Parkinson's disease patients with "wearing off" phenomena. Neurol 1996

17. *Baser SM, Seeberger L, O'Brien C. Alteration of axial dystonia following pallidotomy for Parkinson's disease. Procedings of the Fourth International Congress of Movement Disorders, Vienna, Austria, June 1996. Mov Dis 1996; 11 (suppl 1): 240

18. *Baser SM, Brant F, Levison K, Ferrell R. The influence of estrogen use on the natural history of Parkinson's disease. Procedings of the Fourth International Congress of movement Disorders, Vienna, Austria, June 1996. Mov Dis 1996; 11 (suppl 1): 129

19. Bonarati EA, Baser S, Brant F, Kondziolka D, Lunsford LD. Macraelectrode based pallidotomy for Parkinsons disease. Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Montreal, Quebec Canada, October 1996

20. Segal R, Sclabassi RJ, Nemoto E, Wolfson SK, Person P, Baser S. Electrical stimulation of sympathetic ganglia and non-invasive, indirect assessment of finger and forearm perfusion during video, assisted thoracoscopic sympathetomy for palmar hyperhydrosis. Technical note. Proceedings of the Joint section of the American Association of Neurological surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons, February 1997

Presentations  -By Invitation

 International

University of Lund, Lund Sweden, Restorative Neurology Department "Parkinson's disease in Western Pennsylvania" 1993

National

1. Kid-Atlantic Botox Committee Round Table, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, "The Pittsburgh botox experience", 1994

2. Consensus symposium on pallidotomy. University of California, Irvine. Orange County, CA, 1996

3. Smith Klein Beechum Scientific Advisory Board, Ropinerol in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, New York, NY, 1996

4. Smith Klein Beechum Scientific Advisory Board, Role of Dopamine Agonists in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, Dana Point, California May 1997

5. Medtronics, Medical Treatment of Spasticity with baclofen pump, Chicago IL, September 1997

6. Medtronics, Activa Tremor Control Therapy, Chicago IL, December 1997

7. Pharmacia - Upjohn, Advisor Meeting, Palm Springs, California, 1998

8. Update on COMT inhibitors, Tasmar Advisor Board, Dallas TX, 1999

9. Athena Neurosciences Essential Tremor Advisory Board Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 1999

10. Dupont National Advisory Board Meeting, Aventura, FL, 1999

11. University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City. Grand rounds, "Update on treatment of Parkinson's Disease", 1999

Regional

1. Recent Advances in Head and Neck Movement Disorders, University of Pittsburgh and the Eye and Ear Institute. "Clinical head and neck tremor", Sheraton, Pittsburgh, PA. 1994

Clinical Update in Geriatric Medicine, University of Pittsburgh and Shadyside Hospital. "Treatment in Parkinson's Disease." Sheraton Station Square, 1996

3. National Parkinson's Foundation, Update on Parkinson's disease for the patient and the caregiver. "Parkinson's Disease". Rivermont, Pittsburgh, 1996

4. Seventh Annual Pittsburgh Neuropsychiatry Conference, University Holiday Inn, "Dopamine receptor subtypes in basal ganglia disorders", 1996

5. Conference, University of Pittsburgh Primary Health Care Services, "Update on treatment of movement disorders", Sheraton Station Square, 1997

6. Allegheny General Hospital, Spasticity and Movement Disorder Center, "Recent Advances in the treatment of movement disorders and spasticity", George McGovern M.D. Conference Center, Conference director and lecturer 1997

7. Marion County, West Virginia Medical Society, "New agents in the treatment of Parkinson's disease", Fairmont, WV 1998

8. Department of Neurology -  Allegheny University Hospital?AGE, "Update on new treatment for movement disorders", George McGovern M.D. Conference Center, 1998

9. Indiana County medical Society, Indiana PA - "Update of new agents in the treatment of Parkinson's disease", 1998

10. Fairmont Clinic and General Hospital, Fairmont WV. Grand rounds "Update on treatment of Movement Disorders", 1998

11. 19th Annual Conference on Aging, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, University of Pittsburgh, "Update on movement disorders", 1998

12.    Grand rounds, West Virginia University Department of Neurology, "Parkinson's Disease Update", 1999.

13. University of Pittsburgh Geriatrics Update Course, lecture "Gait disturbances", David Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, 1999

14. Geisinger Medical Center, grand rounds, "Treatment of Movement Disorders", Danville, PA 1999

15. University of Pittsburgh medical Center, Geriatrics Society of Western PA and West Virginia review course "Update on treatment of movement disorders," Westin William Penn, Pittsburgh, 2000

Local

1 Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. Grand Rounds, "Advances in the treatment of Parkinson's disease", 1995

2. APDA Western Pennsylvania area chapter symposium, "Advances in Parkinson's disease", The Rehabilitation Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 1995

3. APDA Western Pennsylvania area chapter symposium, "Update on Parkinson's disease", Pittsburgh, PA. Sheraton Station Square, 1995

4. University of Pittsburgh, Combined Neuroscience Conference, "Epidemiology of Parkinson's disease", 1995

5. University of Pittsburgh, Combined Neuroscience Conference, "Pallidotomy and thalamotomy in Parkinson's disease", 1995

6. APDA Western Pennsylvania area chapter symposium, "Update on Parkinson's disease". The Lamont, Pittsburgh, PA. 1996

7. Highland Drive VAH lecture, "Basal Ganglia Diseases", Pittsburgh, PA.1996

8. St. Francis Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. Grand Rounds, "Parkinson's disease and related basal ganglia disorders,” 1996

9. Brownsville General Hospital, Brownsville, PA. Grand Rounds, "Update on the treatment of Parkinson's disease, 1996

10. Lecture, Athena Neuroscience B, "New advances in the treatment of Parkinson's disease", Mortons of Chicago, Pittsburgh, PA. 1997

11. Conference director and lecturer Allegheny General Hospital, Spasticity and Movement Disorder Center, "Recent Advances in the Treatment of Movement Disorders for Patients", George McGovern M.D. Conference Center, 1997

12. St. Francis Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. Grand Rounds "Update on the treatment of Parkinson's disease", 1997

13. McKeesport Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. Grand Rounds "New medications and surgery in Parkinson's disease", 1997

14. Latrobe Hospital, Latrobe, PA. Grand Rounds "Update on treatment of Parkinson's disease", 1998

15. Lecture, Upjohn/Pharmacia, "New agents in the treatment of Parkinson's disease", Tin Angel, Pittsburgh, PA 1998

16. Patient symposium - APDA I and R Center Allegheny General Hospital, Spasticity and Movement Disorder Center, "Recent Advances in the Treatment of Movement Disorders for Patients", George McGovern M.D. Conference Center, 1998

17. Lecture, Smith-Klein, "Update in new dopamine agonist-Requip" Iron Butterfly, Pittsburgh PA 1998

18. The Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Pittsburgh PA. Grand rounds "New  agents in Parkinson's disease - the COMT inhibitiors", 1998

19. Lecture, Roche, "New agents in treatment of Parkinson's DiseaseCOMT Inhibitors", Sheraton Station Square, 1998

20. Lecture, Pharmacia-UpJohn, "Treatment of ParkinsoA'B Disease", Monterey Bay, 1998.

21. Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. Grand rounds "Update in the treatment of movement disorders", 1998.

22. Lecture, Pharmacia-Upjohn, L Dopamine agonists in Parkinson's disease, Vallozils, Greensburg PA, 1998.

23.  Advisory round table for local Roche representatives, Delmont, PA 1998

24. Lecture, Upjohn, "Interesting movement disorders round table", Lucca, Pittsburgh, 1999

25. Lecture, Roche, "Update on COMT inhibitors", Tara, Sharon, PA, 1999

26. Lecture, Roche, "Update on COMT inhibitors", Mountain View Inn, Greensburg,,PA, 1999

27.  APDA patient seminar, "New drugs in the treatment of Parkinson's disease", Gateway Clipper cruise, 1999

28. Smith-Klein Advisory Board presentation, ?Five year Requip data", Morton's of Chicago, Pittsburgh, PA, 1999

29. Lecture, Novartis, "Comtan in the treatment of Parkinson's disease", Backstage, Pittsburgh, PA, 1999

30.  Seminar, "Update in surgical treatment of Parkinson's disease", Radisson Monroeville PA, 2000

31.  APDA patient seminar, -"New advances in treatment of movement disorders from Barcelona", Gateway Clipper, Pittsburgh PA, 2000

32.   Monroeville PCP patient seminar, "New advances in treatment of movement disorders", Monroeville PA, 2000

Educational activities

Courses Taught

1. Neuroanatomy of the Basal Ganglia. Neuroscience course, University I of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, years I-II medical students 1993 - 1996

2. Neuropharmacology of Movement Disorders. Neuroscience course, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, years I-II medical students 1993?1996

3. Pharmacology of Movement Disorders. Graduate Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh. 1994-1996

4. Neuroanatomy and pharmacology of movement disorders. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic Psychiatry resident lecture series 1994-1996

5. Disorders of the basal ganglia. Allegheny General Hospital Neuroscience conference for students and residents 1997-current

Clinical Activities

Maior clinical activities

1. University of Kansas Department of Neurology

Clinical duties included outpatient clinics in general neurology, headache, and atypical Parkinson syndromes with orthostatic hypotension. Inpatient duties included floor and consulting rounds 4 months of the year. Teaching activities included medical student clerkships, lectures, and grand rounds. Consultant for the ADRC grant at the University of Kansas, and participated in clinical drug studies for orthostatic hypotension and Alzheimer's disease.

2. University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurology

Clinical duties included outpatient clinics in movement disorders with a subspecialty interest in Parkinson's and fluntington's Disease. Inpatient duties included floor and consulting rounds 3 months of the year.

Teaching activities included medical student and resident clerkships. Conducted lectures for graduate, medical students, and residents. Delivered grand round presentations at the University of Pittsburgh and at local hospitals. Invited to the University of Lund, Lund Sweden, Restorative Neurology Department (0. Lindvall) and Cell Transplantation Institute (A. Bjorklund) to learn the clinical and basic science of transplantation in Parkinson's disease.

Independent clinical research projects included:

1. Epidemiologic study of over 500 Parkinson patients in Western Pennsylvania

2. Pre-operative and post-operative analysis of approximately 120 patients undergoing pallidotomy and thalamotomy

3. Collaboration with the Department of Human Genetics to collect pedigrees and blood samples in a genetic study of Parkinson patients.  Initiated national site participation in the Parkinson's Study Group and Huntington's Study Group, appointed medical director for the APDA Center, and consultant on the several Parkinson drug development programs. Principal investigator in clinical drug studies for Parkinson's disease.

3.  Allegheny General Hospital Department of Neurology

Clinical duties include outpatient clinics in general neurology and movement disorders with a subspecialty interest in Parkinson's and Huntington's Disease. Inpatient duties included floor and consulting rounds 4 months of the year.

Clinical teaching activities include medical student ? and resident teaching. Scheduled to conduct lectures for medical students and residents and to present grand rounds at local hospitals. Participating in AGH symposia on treatment of spasticity and movement disorders.

Independent clinical research projects include:

1. Analysis of the epidemiologic study of over 500 Parkinson patients in Western Pennsylvania

2. Pre-operative and post-operative analysis of patients undergoing deep brain stimulation for intractable tremor

3. Application made for Medtronic study of deep brain stimulation in the pallidum and subthalamus

4. Co-investigator an VA grant "Motion or velocity Encoder for Monitoring Essential or Neurologic Tremor"

National neurology site participation in the Huntington's Study Group, medical director for the APDA Center, and consultant on the several Parkinson drug development programs.

Community Service

Board of directors for Western PA APDA chapter.

Lectures updating Parkinson patients an the treatment of Parkinson's disease at numerous APDA support groups.

Participation in fund raising for the APDA including annual walk-a-thon, boat cruise, and golf outing.

DISCLAIMER:

CLINICAL DISCLAIMER: