Since its inception in 1990, the Decade of the Brain Symposium has served as an important platform for showcasing critical topics in neurosurgery. The 1997 symposium, which will be held at the AANS Annual Meeting in Denver, has the title “The Fundamental Enigmas: Neurosurgery’s Principle Challenges and Progress Toward Solutions.”
Considering neurosurgery’s important clinical specialties, there have been, and remain to be principle obstacles to achieving cure. These fundamental enigmas will be examined in the light of today’s science and evolutionary thought with a view toward identification of key potential avenues of solution from the perspective of both laboratory and clinical science.
Moderated by Michael L.J. Apuzzo, MD, and co-moderated by Charles J. Hodge, MD, principle areas of focus will include craniocer-ebral and spinal cord injury, degenerative spinal column disease, neoplasia, vascular disease, nervous system malformations, functional afflictions, and pain-related disorders. Each area will be addressed by a neurosurgeon with a broad and perceptive view of the specific problem. They will stress recent innovative concepts and methods that offer promise for substantive insights and resolution of these important barriers to progress to cure.
Graham Teasdale, MD, will discuss methods for retrieval and protection of the neuronal population after craniocerebral injury. Charles H. Tator, MD, will examine the impor-tant issue of spinal cord injury in view of new developments related to neuronal regeneration and factors for enhancing functional recovery. Richard G. Fessler, MD, will explore the topic of degenerative spinal diseases with a view toward innovative techniques for management and molecular aspects of the new therapies.
The problem of tumor invasiveness and heterogenicity with molecular keys for solution will be discussed by Peter McL Black, MD. Complexities of stroke, vasos-pasm, atherosclerosis, and the molecular biology of the cerebrovascular wall will be presented by Ralph G. Dacey, Jr., MD. David G. McLone, MD, will discuss fundamental aspects of the evolution, advanced management, and prevention of central nervous system anomalies.
The exciting topic of molecular neurosurgery and the realm of possibilities for restoration to normalcy in the spectrum of functional disorders will be detailed by L. Dade Lunsford, MD. Finally, Kim J. Burchiel, MD, will discuss issues related to the resolution of chronic pain syndromes through complex systems applications and the evolving comprehension of neural circuitry.