Ground broken for Hoglund Brain Imaging Center at KU Medical Center

KANSAS CITY, Kan -- Ground has been broken on a state-of-the-art medical research facility designed to discover critical new information and new treatments for Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, stroke and autism. Ceremonies for the 12,250-square-foot facility were held today on the University of Kansas Medical Center campus.

The center will include one of only three MEG (magnetoencephalography) devices in the country capable of creating functional images of a developing brain in the womb. The center will also include specially equipped MRIs designed to analyze brain functions.

"Because this research facility is in the state, the people of Kansas will be the first to benefit from the new medical knowledge uncovered here. They will have access to the doctors who make the discoveries," said KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway.

The center is named for KU alumni Forrest and Sally Roney Hoglund of Dallas, whose $4 million gift for the center made the project a reality. Forrest Hoglund is a longtime successful energy executive.

"The people of Kansas are grateful to the Hoglunds, who have the generosity and vision to help create this center. The impact of this gift will be felt for generations to come," Hemenway said.

The State of Kansas is providing $1.5 million and the federal government $1.8 million for the Hoglund Brain Imaging Center. The total cost of the building and equipment will be $10.5 million. Plans call for the building to open in 2003.

"We are pleased our gift will have so much potential to impact the lives of children and adults throughout the region. We want this gift to be just the beginning of a public and private partnership to support medical research on the KU Medical Center campus. The benefits of financial support to Kansas are real and immediate. The potential is unlimited," said Hoglund.

One state leader encouraged about the potential is state Sen. James Barnett of Emporia, a physician and an activist in the battle against fetal alcohol syndrome.

"This is an exciting research opportunity that can do more than just improve the long term quality of life for children who are exposed to drugs and alcohol in the womb. It puts funding at the front end of the problem, diagnosing and preventing the problems associated with fetal alcohol syndrome. Without this investment up front, brain damage caused in the womb could cost state taxpayers more money for prisons, special education and other social programs," said Barnett.

Barnett said he hopes the in utero research using the MEG at the Hoglund Brain Imaging Center will lead to earlier diagnosis and improved outcomes for children.

Dignitaries at the ceremony Monday praised the center's impact on medical research, on the Kansas City area's Life Sciences initiative and on the state of Kansas.

"This is just the latest chapter of our leadership in the Life Sciences," said Dr. Michael Welch, vice chancellor for research and president of KUMC Research Institute, Inc.

"This center will solidify our position as a national leader in the research of Parkinson's disease, headache, epilepsy and stroke. It will greatly enhance our efforts in fighting Alzheimer's. It will even allow us to assess the effect of smoking, alcohol and stress on a developing fetus in the womb. We'll know more about what causes learning development disorders such as autism. From such steps, medical miracles happen," said Welch.

Welch also noted the center would promote collaborative research with the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and other local institutions. A veterinary study with Kansas State University is also a possibility. "The new building is just the latest example of our energized research program," said Dr. Donald Hagen, executive vice chancellor of the KU Medical Center.

"At any one time we have $50 million dollars in research being conducted on this campus. This research has provided many breakthroughs that have led to advancement of health care for the people of Kansas and throughout the Midwest," said Hagen.

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