Alexander Holliday Hoon Jr., MD, MPH
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Highlights
Johns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Alexander Holliday Hoon Jr.
Primary Academic Title
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Independent Clinician
Background
Dr. Alexander Hoon is an associate professor of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He also serves as the director of the Phelps Center for Cerebral Palsy and Neurodevelopmental Medicine and medical director of the Carter Center for Holoprosencephaly and Related Disorders at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Dr. Hoon received a bachelor of science from Davidson College in 1974, and a medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1978. After a pediatric residency at Kosair-Children's Hospital in Louisville, he completed a neonatology fellowship at British Columbia Children's Hospital and a one-year fellowship in medical genetics at the Affiliated Hospitals in Vancouver, Canada. In 1988, he came to Baltimore where he completed a fellowship in neurodevelopmental disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute, and obtained a master's of public health at Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. He joined the Kennedy Krieger faculty in 1990.
Using his training in neonatology, genetics, neurodevelopmental disabilities and public health and working with collaborative research teams, Dr. Hoon addresses questions of cause and treatment in cerebral palsy. His current research uses advanced neuroimaging techniques, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), in the Kennedy Krieger Institute Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, to more precisely characterize brain injury.
Dr. Hoon is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Society of Human Genetics, the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, the Society for Developmental Pediatrics and the Kennedy Fellows Association. He was awarded the 2001 Kennedy Krieger Institute William J. Hersey Prize for exceptional commitment to children with disabilities.
Research Interests
Cerebral palsy, Diffusion tensor imaging, Neuroimaging techniques, Cause and treatment in cerebral palsy
Research Summary
Cerebral palsy, the most common form of chronic motor disability beginning in childhood, is often related to events before birth affecting brain development. Modern imaging techniques, including conventional brain MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), can now be used to establish cause and refine treatment for children, adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy.
Dr. Hoon, utilizing training in neonatology, genetics, neurodevelopmental disabilities and public health and working with collaborative research teams, addresses questions of cause and treatment in cerebral palsy.
His past research addressed causal factors, quantification of the severity of functional impairment, and treatment with oral medications. Current research at the Kennedy Krieger Institute Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging uses advanced neuroimaging techniques, including DTI to more precisely characterize brain injury. These imaging modalities will allow researchers studying rehabilitative interventions to assign children with cerebral palsy to cohorts with comparable levels of injury.
Selected Publications
Accardo J, Kammann H, Hoon AH. “Neuroimaging in cerebral palsy”. J Pediatrics. 2004 Aug;145(2 Suppl), S19-27.
Hoon AH, Stashinko EE, Nagae LM, Lin DDM, Keller J, Bastian A, et al “Sensory and motor deficits in children with cerebral palsy born preterm correlate with diffusion tensor imaging abnormalities in thalamocortical pathways.” Dev Med Child Neurol. 2009 Sep;51(9): 697-704.
Hoon AH, Stashinko EE. “Neuroimaging: connecting the pixels.” Dev Med Child Neurol. 2011 Jun;53(6): 482.
Hoon AH. “Neuroimaging in cerebral palsy: Patterns of brain dysgenesis and injury.” J Child Neurol. 2005 Dec;20(12): 936-9.
Johnston MV, Hoon AH. “Cerebral palsy.” Neuromolecular Med. 2006;8(4): 435-50.
Honors
- William J. Hersey Prize, ennedy Krieger Institute, 2001
Locations
- Kennedy Krieger Institute
- 801 North Broadway, Neurology and Developmental Med, Baltimore, MD 21205
- Get Directions
- phone: 443-923-9141
- fax: 443-923-9145
Expertise
Education
- Fellowship: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 1990
- Graduate School: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, MPH, 1990
- Fellowship: British Columbia Children's Hospital, Genetics, 1986
- Residency: University of Louisville Health, Pediatrics, 1981
- Medical Education: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, MD, 1978
Board Certifications
- Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2001
- Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine: American Board of Pediatrics, 1987
- Pediatrics: American Board of Pediatrics, 1982
Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)