Neurosciences - November 2013 Archives

ROCHESTER, Minn. — People with epilepsy may have a new high-tech way to manage hard-to-control seizures. A new implantable medical device that delivers responsive neurostimulation has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The technology is designed to detect abnormal activity in the brain and respond and deliver subtle levels of electrical stimulation to normalize brain activity before an individual experiences seizures. The treatment is available at all Mayo Clinic sites. MULTIMEDIA ALERT: For audio and video of Dr. Joseph Sirven talking about the device, visit the Mayo Clinic News Network. Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota were all involved in the clinical trials for the device (and have collectively enrolled the highest number of patients into the trials). The device is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy in reducing the frequency and severity of seizures in people 18 years of age or older with partial onset seizures who have undergone diagnostic testing that localized no more than two epileptogenic foci, are refractory to two or more antiepileptic medications, and currently have frequent and disabling seizures (motor partial seizures, complex partial seizures and/or secondarily generalized seizures).

http://youtu.be/WnUlREFi_tE Media: Mayo Clinic Experts Available to Discuss New Epilepsy Therapy People with epilepsy may have a new high-tech way to manage hard-to-control ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SltyYa8s1Es Each year millions of patients are diagnosed with acquired brain injuries, such as concussion, strokes and brain tumors. For these patients, brain rehabilitation is an important part of their recovery. Mayo Clinic researchers found that improvement of mood over the course of post-acute brain rehabilitation is associated with increased participation in day-to-day activities, independent living and ability to work after rehabilitation is complete.  Thomas Bergquist, Ph.D., of Mayo Clinic’s departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Psychiatry and Psychology, says, “People should not ignore psychological issues, such as mood swings or ability to communicate with family members. Comprehensive brain rehabilitation can address both physical and personal problems to help improve outcomes for patients, including improved physical function, the ability to live independently and maintain a job.” Read news release. Journalists: B-roll and sound bites with Dr. Bergquist are available in the downloads.

  On Saturday, Nov. 23, Jeffrey Thompson, M.D., will join us to discuss fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain in addition to ...

National Epilepsy Awareness Month Many people think having a seizure involves convulsions, shaking and essentially passing out for a period of time. Others might ...

http://youtu.be/uS9HGetALFM Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida, the University of Florida in Gainesville, and the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle have received a $7.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to take a new and more expanded approach to identifying drug targets to treat and possibly prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The investigators are working together to understand the role that innate immunity — the body’s defense system — plays in Alzheimer’s disease, a disorder of dementia that is rapidly increasing as the population ages. Neurologist and neuroscientist Nilufer Taner, M.D.,Ph.D., says, “Our goal is to understand exactly if and when an innate immune response is good, and when it is bad, and to identify drug targets that enhance this protective effect and shut down the destructive side of this inflammation.” Click here for news release. Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Taner are available in the downloads.

On Saturday, Nov. 9, Elaine Wirrell, M.D., and Jerry Shih, M.D., will join us for a program all about epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder. Seizure symptoms vary, ...

Epilepsy  November is Epilepsy Awareness  Month.  On Saturday, Nov. 9, Elaine  Wirrell, M.D., and Jerry Shih, M.D., joined us for a program all ...