Neurology

EmailEmail    |   Bookmark Page Bookmark  |   RSS Feeds RSS  |   Print Page Print  

Dr. Harry WhelanHarry T. Whelan, MD

Bleser Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics and Hyperbaric Medicine
Director of Hyperbaric Medicine
Division of Pediatric Neurology

Specialty: Pediatric Neurology
 

Sub-Specialties:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Light Emitting DiodeTherapy
  • Air and Gas Embolism 
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisioning and Smoke Inhalation 
  • Decompression Sickness 
  • Radiation Tissue Damage 
  • Burn Injury 
  • Developmental Disorders of the Central Nervous System 
  • Wound Healing 
  • Brain Tumors 
  • Osteomyelitis
     

Education:
 

  • Doctor of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, 1979

 

Training:

  • Internship & Residency, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, 1979-1984
  • Fellowship, Pediatric Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 1981-1984

Awards and Honors:

  • NAVY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL (Research), 1995
  • NAVY & MARINE CORP COMMENDATION MEDAL (Professional School Liaison Officer), 1997
  • NASA-Space Technology Hall of Fame (Inducted for Research), 2000
  • Bleser Foundation Endowed Professorship awarded in Neurology, 2001 upgraded to Endowed Chair in 2008
  • Distinguished Research Professorship awarded, National Defense University, 2004
  • Chief, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine & Surgery - Senior R & D Officer, 2005

Brief Clinical/Research Interest Statement:

Harry T. Whelan, MD, Bleser Family Endowed Chair in Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, professor of Neurology (Pediatrics), and director of the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit, The Medical College, has been inducted into the NASA Space Technology Hall of Fame for his research into the use of near-infrared LEDs for wound healing and the treatment of brain tumors and neurofibromatosis. In a multiyear investigation approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Whelan is studying the use of LEDs to promote healing of mucositis from chemotherapy and radiation used to treat cancer in children. Dr. Whelan found that diabetic skin ulcers and other wounds in mice healed much faster when exposed to the special LEDs in the lab. Near-infrared light stimulates improved energy metabolism in the mitochondria, leading to treatment for mitochondrial diseases which affect the brain, eye, heart and muscle. Dr. Whelan also is funded by the National Institutes of Health in a study of neurodegenerative disease, traumatic brain injury and other childhood traumas. He also is conducting a pilot study supported in part by the Clinical Translational Science Institute of near-infrared light therapy for diabetic macular edema, a form of diabetic eye disease. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is funding his research in neurological ischemia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), reperfusion and stroke, which affects many children with congenital heart disease. Dr. Whelan presented this translational bench-to-bedside research to the United States Congress at the NASA Spin-off Day on Capitol Hill as an example of how space research is helping patients.


Dr. Whelan holds the rank of Captain and is a Diving Medical Officer in the U.S. Navy, a consultant to the Navy Experimental Diving Unit, and serves as the Senior Undersea Medical Officer for the “Deep Submergence Unit”, with clinical and research experience in Hyperbaric Medicine, wound care and combat casualty care. He has over 80 publications, including cancer, laser, LED and diving/hyperbaric studies.

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS (From over 80 publications)

Full-Length, Original Manuscripts:

  1. Whelan HT, Kindwall EP: Hyperbaric oxygen: some unanswered questions despite clinical usefulness. In: Hudetz AG, Bruley D, eds Oxygen Transport to Tissue XX: Plenum Publishing, New York, 1998;454:441-445.
  2. Whelan HT, Bajic DM, Karlovits SM, Houle JM, Kindwall EP: Use of Cytochrome-P450 monooxygenase 2 E1 isozyme inhibitors to alter seizures caused by central nervous system oxygen toxicity Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine 1998;60:480-485.
  3. Whelan HT, Krouwer HG, Schmidt MH, Kovnar EH: Current therapy and new perspectives in he treatment of medulloblastoma. Pediatric Neurology. 1998;18:103-115.
  4. Schmidt MH, Reichert KW, Ozker K, Meyer GA, Donohoe DL, Bajic DM, Whelan NT, Whelan HT: Preclinical evaluation of benzoporphyrin derivative combined with a light-emitting diode array for photodynamic therapy of brain tumors Pediatric Neurosurgery. 1999;30(5):225-231.
  5. Whelan HT, Houle BS, Donohoe DL, Whelan NT, Cwiklinski J, Schmidt MH, Larson DL, Meyer GA, Cevenini V, Stinson H: The NASA light-emitting diode medical program – progress in space flight and terrestrial applications Space Technology Applications 2000;504:37-43.
  6. Sommer AP, Pinheiro ALB, Mester AR, Franke RP, Whelan HT: Biostimulatory Windows in Low Intensity Laser Activation: Lasers, Scanners and NASA's Light-Emitting Diode Array System J. Clin. Laser Med. Surg. 2001;19 (1):29-33.
  7. Whelan HT, Smits RL, Buchmann EV, Whelan NT, Turner SG, Margolis DA, Crevenini V, Stinson H, Ignatius R, Martin T, Cwiklinski J, Philippi AF, Graf WR, Hodgson B, Gould L, Kane M, Chen G, Caviness J: Effect of NASA Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) Irradiation on Wound Healing J. Clin. Laser Med. Surg 2001;1:16-19.
  8. Wong-Riley, MTT, Bai, X, Buchmann, E, Whelan HT: Light-emitting diode treatment reverses the effect of TTX on cytochrom oxidase in neurons NeuroReport 2001;12(14B):1-5.
  9. Whelan, H.T., Wong-Riley, M.T.T. and Eells, J.T.: Protection against methanol-induced retinal toxicity by LED photostimulation. In "Photonics West 2002: Biomedical Optics Symposium (BiOS): vol. 4611, Ophthalmic Technologies XII". F. Manns, P.G. Soederberg, and A. Ho (eds.) Bellingham, Washington, SPIE/Kluwer Academic Publisher, 2002. Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, 2002;4611:239-246.
  10. Whelan, H.T.; Connelly, J.F.; Hodgson, B.D.; Barbeau, L.; Post, A.C.; Bullard, G.; Buchmann, E.V.; Kane, M.; Whelan, N.T.; Warwick, A.; Margolis, D.: NASA Light-Emitting Diodes for the Prevention of Oral Mucositis in Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Patients J. Clin. Laser Med. Surg. 2002. 20;319-324
  11. Eells, J.T., Henry, M.M., Summerfelt, P, Wong-Riley, M.T.T., Buchman, E.V., Kane, M. and Whelan, H.T.: Therapeutic photobiomodulation for methanol-induced retinal toxicity. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci.100:3439-3444 2003.
  12. Whelan, H.T., Buchman E. V., Dhokalia, A., Kane, M.P., Whelan, N.T., Wong-Riley, M.T.T., Eells, J.T., Gould L.J., Hammamieh, R., Das, R. and Jett, M.: Effect of NASA light-emitting diode irradiation on molecular changes for wound healing in diabetic mice. J. Clin. Laser Med. Surg. 21: 67-74, 2003.
  13. Schmidt, M.H; Meyer, G.A.; Reichert, K.W.; Cheng, J.; Krouwer, H.G.; Ozker, K.; and Whelan, H.T. Evaluation of photodynamic therapy near functional brain tissue in patients with recurrent brain tumors. Journal of NeuroOncology, 2004; 67:201-204.
  14. Whelan, H.T.; Hale-Richlen, B.L.; Pharaon, M.R.; Henry, K.A Soldier Self Care. Military Medical Technology, 2004; 8:4-9.
  15. Eells, J.T.; Wong-Riley, M.T.T.; VeerHoeve, J.; Henry, M.; Buchmann, E. V.; Kane, M.P.; Gould, L. J.; Das, R.; Jett, M.; Hodgson, B.; Margolis, D.; Whelan, H.T. Mitochondrial signal transduction in accelerated wound and retinal healing by near-infrared light therapy. Mitochondrion, 2004; 4:559-568.
  16. Wong-Riley, M.M.T.; Eells, J.T; Whelan, H.T. Photobiomodulation directly benefits primary neurons functionally inactivated by toxins: Role of cytochrome c oxidase. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2005; 280:4761 – 4771.
  17. Amlie-Lefond, C.; Paz, D.A.; Connelly, M.P.; Huffnagle, G.B.; Dunn, K.S.; Whelan, N.T.; Whelan, H.T. "Innate immunity for biodefense: A strategy whose time has come." Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2005; 116:1334-42.
  18. Helms, A.K.; Whelan, H.T.; Torbey, M.T. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy of cerebral ischemia. Cerebrovascular Diseases, 2005;20:417-426.
  19. Sommer, A.P.; Gheorghiu, E.; Cehreli, M.; Whelan, H.T. Biosensor for detection of nanobacteria in water. Crystal Growth & Design, 2006;6:492-497.
  20. Whelan HT, Niezgoda JA, Kindwall EP, Cabigas B, Lewis MC: Hyperbaric oxygenation. Encyclopedia of Medical Devices and Instrumentation, Second Edition. John G.Webster ,Ed. Wiley-Interscience, 2006;4:29-33.
  21. Liang HL, Whelan HT, Eells JT, Meng H,Buchmann E, Lerch-Gaggl, Wong-Riley M: Photobiomodulation partially rescues visual cortical neurons from cyanide-induced apoptosis. Neuroscience. 2006;139:639 – 649.
  22. Yeager RL, Franzosa JA, Millsap, DS, Lim J, Heise SS, Wakhungu P, Whelan HT, Eells JT, Henshel DS: Survivorship and mortality implications of developmental 670-nm phototherapy: Dioxin Co-exposure; Photomed Laser Surg. 2006;24:29-32
  23. Desmet KD, Paz DA, Corry JJ, Eells JT, Wong-Riley MT, Henry MM, Buchmann EV, Connelly MP, Dovi JV, Liang HL, Henshel DS, Yeager RL, Milsap DS, Lim J, Gould LJ, Das R, Jett M, Hodgson BD, Margolis D, Whelan HT: Clinical and experimental applications of NIR-LED photobiomodulation. Photomed Laser Surg. 2006;24:121-128.
  24. Yeager RL, Franzosa JA, Millsap DS, Lim J, Hansen CM, Jasevicius AV, Heise SS, Wakhungu P, Whelan HT, Eells JT, Henshel DS: Brief report: embryonic growth and hatching implications of developmental 670-nm phototherapy and dioxin co-exposure. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. 24(3):410-3, 2006 Jun.
  25. Yeager RL, Franzosa JA, Millsap DS, Lim J, Heise SS, Wakhungu P, Whelan HT, Eells JT, Henshel DS: Survivorship and mortality implications of developmental 670-nm phototherapy: dioxin co-exposure. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. 24(1):29-32, 2006 Feb.
  26. Helms AK, Whelan HT, Torbey MT: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy of acute ischemic stroke. Stroke. 38(4):1137; author reply 1138-9, 2007 Apr.
  27. Helms AK, Whelan HT: Hyperbaric Oxygen for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Need for a Better Study. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine 34:275, 2007.
  28. Dituri J, Parsley K, Whelan HT : Lightweight, Faster Decompression and Portable Alternative to U.S. Navy Mixed Gas Diving. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine 34:255, 2007.
  29. Whelan HT, Cook JD, Amlie-Lefond C, Hovinga CA, Chan AF, Ichord RN, deVeber GA, Thall PF; Practical model-based dose-finding in early phase clinical trials: Optimizing tPA dose for treatment of ischemic stroke in children; STROKE 2008, 39:2627-2636.
  30. Whelan HT, Desmet K, Buchmann E, Henry M, Wong-Riley M, Eells JT, Verhoeve J: Harnessing the cell’s own ability to repair and prevent neurodegenerative disease. SPIE 2008, Accessed on line at: http://spie.org/documents/Newsroom/Imported/1014/1014-2008-02-11.pdf
  31. Liang HL, Whelan HT, Eells JT, Wong-Riley M: Near-Infrared Light via Light-Emitting Diode Treatment is Therapeutic Against Rotenone- and MPP+- Induced Neurotoxicity. Neuroscience 153(4)963-974, 2008.
  32. Ying R, Liang HL, Whelan HT, Eells JT, Wong-Riley MTPtretreatment with near-infrared light via light-emitting diode provides added benefit against rotenone- and MPP+− induced neurotoxicity, Brain Research 2008, 1243:167-173.
  33. Dituri J, Parsley K, Whelan HT: Could the U.S. Navy Benefit from Technical Diving Techniques? Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine 35:250-251, 2008.
  34. Neurologic Aspects of Hyperbaric Medicine . Sponsored by United States Congress, NASA, and the Canadian Ministry Defence. Synergy of Hyperbaric Oxygen with Near Infrared (NIR) Light for Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury. 2009 Proceedings in press
  35. Hymer WC, Welsch J, Buchmann E, Risius M, Whelan HT: Modulation of rat pituitary growth hormone by 670 nm light. Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 2008
  36. Whelan HT, Desmet KD, Buchmann EV , Henry M, Wong-Riley MTT, Eells JT, VerHoeve J: Harnessing the cell's own ability to repair and prevent neurodegenerative disease. Annals of Neurology 2008 64:S91.
  37. DeSmet K, Buchmann E, Henry M, Wong-Riley M, Eells J, VerHoeve J, Whelan HT: Near-infrared Light as a Possible Treatment Option for Parkinson's Disease and Laser Eye Injury. SPIE 2008
  38. Zhang R, Mio Y, Pratt PF, Lohr N, Warltier DC, Whelan HT, Zhu D, Jacobs ER, Medhora M, Bienengraeber M. Near infrared light protects cardiomyocytes from hypoxia and reoxygenation injury by a nitric oxide dependent mechanism. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2009 Jan;46(1):4-14.

 

Textbooks:

  1. Kindwall, E.P.; Whelan, H.T. (Eds.) Hyperbaric Medicine Practice, Second Edition. Best Publ., 2002. ISBN 0-941332-78-0
  2. Whelan HT: Chapters in: Hyperbaric Medicine Practice, 3rd edition Best Publishing, AZ, 2008:
    1. Oxygen Toxicity,
    2. Neurologic Aspects of Hyperbaric Medicine,
    3. Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen in Infectious Diseases: Basic Mechanisms,
    4. Gas Gangrene.  

CURRENT FUNDING:

NIH 2006-2008
Grant #: 1R21AT003002-01A1
Title: NIR-LED Treatment for Parkinson's Disease

NASA 2005-2009
Contract # NNM 05AB48C
Title: Light Emitting Diode Therapy for Oral Mucositis

NIH 2006-2009
Grant #: 1R21AT003002-01A1
Title: NIR-LED Treatment for Parkinson's Disease

US Navy Experimental Diving Unit
2007-2010
Title: Electrophysiological Effects of Underwater Voltage Gradient Defense System

Clinical and Translational Science Institute
2007-2010
Title: Near-infrared Light (NIR) Therapy for Diabetic Macular Edema: A Pilot Study

Clinical and Translational Science Institute
2007-2010
Title: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Stroke

DARPA
2009-2010
Title: Long-Wavelength, low-intensity photon therapy (LLPT) for traumatic brain injuries.

Chad Baumann Research Foundation Endowment
Endowed Research Fund
$1,000,000 as eternal endowed trust for Dr. Whelan

Bleser Foundation – Endowed Professorship
$1,000,000 as eternal endowed trust for Dr. Whelan
INCREASED TO $2,000,000 in 2008. ENDOWED CHAIR in 2008
 

webmaster@mcw.edu
© 2009 Medical College of Wisconsin
Page Updated 06/22/2009