Spring 2006 — Research at the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, supported by Hope Happens (formerly ALS Hope,) provides new hope for patients suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease,) Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, and other degenerative neurological disorders through multi-disciplinary, team-oriented approach.

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A Center Called Hope ... for Those with ALS, Alzheimer’s, MS, and Such

Washington University has teamed up with Hope Happens to create the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, a center whose members believe that fundamental discoveries in one disease can lead to treatments in many others.

By Diane Duke Williams for Washington University in St. Louis Magazine

The late Christopher Wells Hobler (pictured above with his mother, Jean Hobler) was the inspiration behind Hope Happens, which in 2004 teamed with the University’s School of Medicine to create the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, a basic science research center dedicated to finding the causes and cures for debilitating nervous system diseases.

The late singer-songwriter Christopher Wells Hobler was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2001 at the age of 35. He knew all about the fatal neurodegenerative disorder, having watched his grandfather, James A. Maritz, Sr., struggle with it. People with ALS slowly lose muscle control, and in the later stages of the disease, they are totally paralyzed and unable to speak or breathe on their own. Hobler was angered by his fate; he knew there had been no cures or treatments developed for the disease in 30 years.

Wanting to take action, he considered starting his own research center. Instead, in 2002, Hobler, a father of three, founded ALS Hope–The Chris Hobler/James Maritz Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is to quickly find a cure for ALS patients by funding innovative research and inspiring scientific collaboration.

Two years later, ALS Hope, now renamed Hope Happens, teamed with the Washington University School of Medicine to open the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, a basic science research center dedicated to finding the causes and cures for debilitating nervous system diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Mark P. Goldberg, professor of neurology and of anatomy and neurobiology, is director of the Hope Center. His laboratory focuses on stroke recovery; researchers are particularly interested in keeping neurons alive after stroke.

“For some time we have wanted a central place at the University for translational research aimed at neurological diseases,” says Mark P. Goldberg, director of the Hope Center and a professor of neurology and of anatomy and neurobiology. “When the Hobler family came to us, we saw an opportunity to create something broader than a few labs located in the Department of Neurology. We wanted to make the Center interdepartmental and to expand the scope.”

The Hope Center brings together 48 scientists and clinicians whose expertise spans 12 departments on the Medical and Hilltop campuses. Focusing on neurodegeneration, which occurs when brain cells and their connections are damaged by disease or injury, the members believe that fundamental discoveries in one disease can lead to cures and treatments in many others.

Diseases of the nervous system—made up of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves—are the most common causes of disability for people of all ages; 50 million Americans have a permanent neurological disability that limits their abilities. Despite the devastating personal loss these diseases cause, many have no effective treatments.

Until disease cures are found, the Hope Center will continue to seek treatments that can offer meaningful improvements to neurological abilities and quality of life. Treatment forms may include behavioral, drug, and gene therapies.

“The Hope Center represents the cutting edge of collaborative medical research today,” says Jean Hobler, Chris’ mother. “Exploring the new frontier of the mind is enabling scientists to unravel the mysteries of many devastating neurological disorders. This is a realized dream of my son, Christopher, and of my entire family.”

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