Local Nephrologist Gives Update on Polycystic Kidney Disease Research

Hamilton, Canada, September 10, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Recently, research has shown that a drug called Tolvaptan can dramatically slow the development and progression of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in animal models, and another drug (octreotide) can delay the development of both PKD and polycystic liver disease and may prove to be a potential treatment option for people with liver involvement. Dr. Scott Brimble MD FRCP, will discuss these among other potential therapies in his presentation on September 28 in Classroom B of the Juravinski Innovation Tower at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.

PKD affects an estimated 1 in 500 people worldwide. The Hamilton Chapter of the PKD Foundation of Canada hosts free informational support meetings six times a year for PKD patients, their families, friends and caregivers. A research overview is offered annually to help members remain current on PKD research developments and so that newly diagnosed patients can learn about the progress science is making to halt this inherited disease.

"For people with PKD and for their loved ones, it is critical to keep up to date on new research and medical findings," said Joy Pekar, a volunteer who is organizing an upcoming fundraising event for the Hamilton Chapter. "Patients are their own best advocates and staying current gives you a chance to talk to your doctor about how new findings apply to your specific case."

A practising academic nephrologist, Dr. Scott Brimble trained in internal medicine and nephrology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Dr. Brimble received his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1996 after completing Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Biological Sciences at Brock University. In 2001, he completed a fellowship with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Nephrology after finishing a fellowship in Internal Medicine in 2000. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University as well as a Staff Nephrologist at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

A former residency program director and Medical Director of the Peritoneal Dialysis program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Dr. Brimble maintains a busy clinical practice while conducting clinical research in a number of different areas pertinent to patients with kidney disease. He is currently leading two peer-reviewed funded multi-centered trials in patients with kidney disease.

He is Medical Director and Founder of the St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Hypertension Clinic and served as Medical Director of St. Joseph’s Peritoneal Dialysis Program from 2002 until 2013. Dr. Brimble also retains hospital privileges at Halton Health in Burlington and at Brantford General Hospital, Brantford. Dr. Brimble is participating as a mentor in the Mentorship Pilot Project at the Ontario Renal Network and is co-chair of Nephrology Day for Hamilton Family Medicine.

More information about Dr. Brimble's talk and about PKD can be found on the PKD Foundation of Canada website www.endpkd.ca.