AANS Neursurgeon

Designed by Columbia Engineers, RoSE is first device to measure 3D stiffness of human torso, could lead to new treatments for children with spine deformities such as idiopathic scoliosis and kyphosis   Spine deformities, such as idiopathic scoliosis and kyphosis (also known as “hunchback”), are characterized by an abnormal curvature in the spine. The children with these spinal deformities are typically...

Chronic focal encephalitis, or Rasmussen’s encephalitis, is a rare and devastating inflammatory brain disease that can lead to the destruction or removal of a part of the affected child’s brain. Through experiments on humanized mice, a team of researchers from Université de Montréal and the CHU Sainte-Justine and Université de Montréal Hospital (CHUM) research centres has recently proven what...

In a multicenter database study of adults who had undergone surgery for spinal deformities, researchers say that those who had used narcotics daily on average had worse outcomes, such as longer intensive care unit stays and more severe postop disability, compared with those who did not use opioids preoperatively. A report of the findings adds to evidence for the negative effects...

Thinning in brain regions important for memory linked to sedentary habits   FINDINGS Sitting too much is linked to changes in a section of the brain that is critical for memory, according to a preliminary study by UCLA researchers of middle-aged and older adults. BACKGROUND Studies show that too much sitting, like smoking, increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and premature death. Researchers...

While antibiotics have greatly reduced the dangers of ear infections, serious neurological complications, including hearing loss, facial paralysis, meningitis and brain abscess still occur. The article was written by Loyola Medicine otolaryngologists Michael Hutz, MD, Dennis Moore, MD, and Andrew Hotaling, MD. It describes the symptoms, diagnosis and management of the neurologic complications of acute and chronic otitis media (middle ear infection). Otitis media occurs...

Effective Treatment Options Lacking for Leading Killer of Kids with Cancer   Researchers used an experimental molecular therapy in preclinical laboratory tests to effectively treat several types of deadly pediatric brain cancer and now propose advancing the treatment to clinical testing in children. Scientists at the Cincinnati Children’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute report testing the small molecule 6-thio-2’deoxyguanosine (6-thio-dG) in brain cancer stem cells...

Study shows that brain networks reliably track individuals over time   There are no laboratory tests to diagnose migraines, depression, bipolar disorder and many other ailments of the brain. Doctors typically gauge such illnesses based on self-reported symptoms and behavior. Now, a new study shows that a kind of brain scan called functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) – which shows how brain regions...

People who have been diagnosed with a mild concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury, may have a 56 percent increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a study. “Previous research has shown a strong link between moderate to severe traumatic brain injury and an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease but the research on mild traumatic brain injury has...

A preliminary study suggests that an investigational drug may help increase protein levels in babies with spinal muscular atrophy. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited disease that leads to loss of motor function. It is the leading genetic cause of death in infants and toddlers. The disease is caused by reduced levels of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein....

Drug compound may help against Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease   Scientists have developed a new drug compound that shows promise as a future treatment for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, an inherited, often painful neurodegenerative condition that affects nerves in the hands, arms, feet and legs. The researchers used the compound to treat the nerves of mice harboring the genetic defects that cause the disease. The new...