Barrow Neurological Institute

12/22/2025

When asked whether a particular moment ignited his interest in medicine, Terry Fife, MD, thinks back to being a sixth‑grader stretched out on the orange s**g carpet of his family’s home in Dallas, Texas. The television was tuned to the 1972 Olympics, where American swimmer Mark Spitz was making history, but the young Dr. Fife was also engrossed in a medical book about hepatitis.

“I think it was a school assignment,” he recalled. “We had to write some kind of report, and I chose hepatitis because it interested me.”

That project planted the seed for what would grow into a 30-year career in and faculty appointment at . Now, as Dr. Fife nears his retirement on Jan. 9, he is reflecting on his tenure at the Institute and considering what his next chapter in life might hold.

Read about Dr. Fife's journey at https://bar.rw/fife, and please join us in congratulating him on his well-earned retirement!

12/19/2025

Congratulations to Tshibambe Nathanael Tshimbombu, MD, on being selected by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) to receive the 2026 Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., MD, Patient Advocate of the Year Award!

Dr. Tshimbombu was chosen based on his work in on a global scale and recommendations from his colleagues. The award honors the legacy of Dr. Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., a former AAN president whose lifelong commitment to patient-centered , community service, and advocacy set a national standard.

Dr. Tshimbombu will formally receive the award at the 2026 AAN Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

12/18/2025

High school students: It's time to start getting your applications ready. The application period for our 2026 Summer Program opens Jan. 10!

This five-week internship provides high schoolers with an early opportunity to gain valuable exposure to scientific research under the mentorship of renowned Barrow faculty. In addition to roles in our laboratories, this Program offers positions in academic publishing, marketing, philanthropy, , and other areas of .

Visit bar.rw/highschool to learn more about the Program and what you'll need to apply.

12/17/2025

For many of us, the new year serves as a time for both reflection and intention: What have we accomplished over the past year, and what do we envision for the year ahead?

While it’s virtually impossible to capture all of our memories and milestones of the past 12 months in one place, we’ve compiled some highlights. From empowering patient stories and cutting-edge research developments to awareness campaigns and professional education projects, we’re proud of our demonstrated commitment to excellence in the .

Here’s to another year of .

View the highlights at https://bar.rw/2025wrapped.

12/16/2025

We’re recruiting participants with (MCI) due to for a Phase II clinical trial.

This trial will evaluate the safety and tolerability of the anti-cancer drug lenalidomide in individuals with MCI, as well as its effect on inflammatory markers in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that have been associated with Alzheimer’s.

Interested in participating? Visit https://bar.rw/mclena2 to learn more.

12/15/2025

As continues to grow, we're excited to introduce some of our newest patient care faculty across several departments!

Department of Clinical
• Monica Acevedo-Molina, PhD
• Elsa Baena, PhD

Department of
• Nikolas Monteferrante, MD

Department of
• Mathew Smith, MD
• Austin Svec, MD

Department of
• Joseph Abbatematteo, MD
• Joseph DiDomenico, MD
• Neil Majmundar, MD
• Richard Williamson, MD

Department of Physical Medicine and
• Casey Brown, DO

Visit BarrowNeuro.org to learn more about these members of the Barrow team.

12/12/2025

12/11/2025

After feeling a "pop" in her back and sudden heaviness in her legs, Sabrina Mancini spent the next eight years seeking an accurate diagnosis as her symptoms worsened.

Finally, she learned she had a rare blood vessel abnormality in her that would be risky to treat—but even riskier to leave alone.

After requesting an online from President and CEO and Michael T. Lawton, MD, Sabrina traveled more than 2,000 miles from Middlebury, Connecticut to , to undergo surgery for her spinal cord .

"It was the best decision I ever made," she said.

Read her story at https://bar.rw/sabrina.

After eight years of searching for answers, Sabrina Mancini traveled to Barrow to undergo surgery for her spinal cord cavernous malformation.

12/10/2025

A new study by and the University of Calgary has found which injectable treatments showed the most benefit for patients and should be routinely offered by emergency departments when feasible.

The findings from the study will update the guidelines for the American Headache Society®, replacing recommendations that were last updated in 2016.

Researchers, including Barrow Jennifer Robblee, MD, say the new guidelines will reduce reliance on opioids and make migraine treatment in the more consistent and evidence-based.

Read the press release at https://bar.rw/edmigraine.

12/09/2025

As we continue our commitment to elevating health care in the worldwide, we're excited to share what our Barrow Global team has been up to.

The third issue of the Barrow Global Bulletin dropped today and focuses on "connections." A connected team is the foundation of excellent and care and the key to optimal patient outcomes in the United States. The same is true as we assist in developing outstanding care globally.

Check out the issue to learn about our expansion into Latin America, how we're addressing the global treatment gap in epilepsy care, the impactful work of our neuroradiology team in Tanzania, how our Africa site director balances global advocacy with her clinical work at home, and more.

To read this issue, visit https://bar.rw/bgb3. To receive future issues directly in your inbox, sign up at BarrowNeuro.org/Global.

12/08/2025

Are you a with an interest in caring for patients? Our Neurologic Residency is accepting applications for the 2026-27 academic year!

Our 12-month, ABPTRFE-accredited program is dedicated to developing highly skilled physical therapists who utilize evidence-based practice and innovative technology to enhance the quality of care for patients with neurologic diagnoses across a continuum of care.

Residents can expect to rotate in acute care, inpatient , and outpatient clinics at , averaging 32 hours per week of direct patient care.

Learn more and apply by Feb. 15, 2026 at BarrowNeuro.org/PTResidency.

12/05/2025

Calling all students: The application period for our 2026 Summer Program is now open!

This paid, full-time, 10-week internship provides undergrads from around the globe with a unique opportunity to participate in at a world-renowned institution, with one-on-one mentorship from leading experts in the field. In addition to roles in our laboratories, this Program offers positions in academic publishing, marketing, philanthropy, , and other areas of the Institute.

To learn more about the Program and submit your application, visit https://bar.rw/undergrads. Applications are due Feb. 6, 2026, and the internship runs from June 4 to Aug. 14.