CII Guest Lecture - Nodding Syndrome: A Neurologic Mystery in Africa by James J. Sejvar, MD

The Center for Infection and Immunity Distinguished Guest Lecture Series Presents...
Nodding Syndrome: A Neurologic Mystery in Africa
By James J. Sejvar, MD

Friday, October 18, 2013, 12:00 PM
Mailman School of Public Health
722 West 168th Street, 8th Floor Auditorium

Nodding Syndrome is an unexplained neurologic illness, characterized by repeated spells of head bobbing. The illness primarily affects children ages 5-15 in several areas in East Africa, causing seizures and neurocognitive decline. In this lecture, Dr. Sejvar will discuss his investigations into the epidemiology, clinical features and possible causes or risk factors of this devastating illness.

Dr. Sejvar serves as a neuroepidemiologist at the CDC Divisions of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology and Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases. His current research centers on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and outcomes of nervous system infections and neurologic adverse events following immunizations. He is currently conducting several domestic and international field investigations into unexplained neurologic illnesses and the development of intervention strategies for prevention and control of neurologic infections.