MT. FREEDOM, N.J./EWORLDWIRE/Aug. 2, 2006 --- The Sturge-Weber Foundation (SWF) announces Dr. Harry T. Chugani as the chairman of the Foundation’s Professional Advisory Board (PAB.) 
Chugani, of Detroit Children’s Hospital and Wayne State University, has been in the forefront of treating children with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) and recently inaugurated an SWF Center of Excellence at the hospital, one of many centers now in operation worldwide.
He has been a member of the SWF since 1987 and a frequent contributor to the foundation’s publications. He is a pediatric neurologist with a special interest in PET scan research.
Sturge-Weber syndrome is a rare neurological disorder of unknown cause which usually manifests itself by a facial port wine stain birthmark and can include glaucoma and seizures.
The Sturge-Weber Foundation has provided education, information and friendly support to families affected by Sturge-Weber syndrome since 1987. The foundation also funds research programs and provides education to medical institutions.
As chairman of the PAB, Chugani brings a medical philosophy that looks at the whole child and not just the syndrome. The team he heads at the PET Center at Detroit Children’s includes the fields of neuro-psychology, radiology as well as clinical and basic research.
A dedicated researcher, as well as a clinician, Chugani is the co-investigator for an NIH grant to track the progress of children with Sturge-Weber syndrome with three annual evaluations using neuro-imaging and developmental testing.
Karen Ball, CEO of the SWF says, “Dr. Chugani’s broad experience with the National Institutes of Health and with SWS research will guide the Advisory Board towards more translational research which will increase the pace of discovery.”
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