Neurology

Robotics and upper limb rehabilitation after strokes

In many ways the brain works like a hard disk. If the plug is pulled, important data is damaged and the system has to be rebooted.

Research project @neurIST tackles cerebral aneurysms

When a cerebral aneurysm ruptures, mortality is high and survivors often suffer stroke-like long-term disabilities. However, some aneurysms remain stable and never rupture. Surgical and endovascular interventions are possible, but not without risk.

Operating Theatre One

Tuttlingen Municipal Clinic occupies two sites, the result of merger in 2002 of two clinics in Tuttlingen and Spaichingen, following a merger of the two clinics in Tuttlingen and Spaichingen in 2002.

BrainSuite brings Günzburg neurosurgeons new tumour treatment options

Surgeons at the Department of Neurosurgery Ulm University/Günzburg District Hospital have begun to use the newly installed BrainSuite iMRI, a digitally integrated neurosurgical operating theatre (OT) that combines image-guided surgery (IGS), high-field intra-operative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (iMRI), visualisation and comprehensive OT data management.

MANAGEMENT

Reforming the Viennese hospital structure

Reading minds with infrared scan

Researchers at Canada's largest children's rehabilitation hospital have developed a technique that uses infrared light brain imaging to decode preference — with the goal of ultimately opening the world of choice to children who can't speak or move. Using optical brain imaging, the scientists decode preference with 80 per cent accuracy.

The Hospital Manager Symposium

Participation in the Hospital Manager Symposium, which is organized by EUROPEAN HOSPITAL in cooperation with the European Congress of Radiology and which is part of the congress, has increased continuously since its introduction six years ago. Last year about 250 attendees listened to the lectures and discussions.

RM Ingénierie

RM Ingénierie, specialist in software for medical and paramedical applications, is launching BioVal, a system for analysing and controlling rehabilitation measures taken to regain joint mobility. To do this, the system uses of the same technology employed in 3-D films to record movement.

Top award for brain-controlled neuroprostheses

We will use the grasping reflex - one of the first reflexes a baby utilises - without thinking for the rest of our lives. However, for those who suffer spinal cord injury of the cervical region, the upper extremities are affected along with the ability to grasp.

Philips and Neuronexus to research next generation deep brain stimulation device

NeuroNexus Technologies and Philips Research announced that they have signed a joint research agreement to develop next-generation deep brain stimulation devices with the ambition to improve the treatment of neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders.

Tenth Fresenius Inventors' Fair to showcase ideas from researchers and inventors at MEDICA

The Fresenius Inventors' Fair is held every two years during MEDICA. This year 20 researchers, developers and inventors from all over the world will have the opportunity to present their ideas to the huge MEDICA audience.

NICE renewed flu guidance

The next flu season will come. To prevent high-risk people from infections, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recently published a final guidance on the use of the drugs oseltamivir, amantadine and zanamivir for the prophylaxis of influenza. "But vaccination is the main way to prevent flu", says Gillian Leng, NICE Deputy Chief Executive.

Neurologists — an endangered species?

Irish and German neurology associations warn of an imminent shortage of neurologists. In Ireland, according to experts the situation is “lacking at best” and “catastrophic at worst”. German physicians as well detect increasing deficiencies in neurological care coverage primarily due to an aging population and concomitant morbidity.

Recall, replay, recollect

A unique experiment that compares single neuron firing during an activity and again as the activity is freely recalled as a memory shows what the brain looks like during spontaneous recollection.

Adiposity is not generally a risk factor for stroke

Professor Tobias Back MD is medical director of the Clinic for Neurology and Neurological Intensive Medicine in Arnsdorf, Germany.

Article • Stroke prevention

Ultrasound brings many advantages, but trained sonographers are too few

What is the role of vascular ultrasound in stroke prevention? Asked by Karoline Laarmann of European Hospital, Professor Christian Arning MD, Medical Director of the Neurology Department at Asklepios Klinik Wandsbek, Germany, and Deputy Chairman of the German Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM), gave an unequivocal answer: crucial - but only if the sonographer is properly qualified.

Simply operate giddiness away?

A compressed cranial nerve by blood vessels is responsible for numerous diseases. The most well-known example is trigeminal neuralgia, which is agony for many people affected by its sudden shooting pain in the face.

PET scans to diagnose Alzheimer's disease

The so-called 11-labeled Pittsburgh Compound B ([11C]PiB) type of positron emission tomography (PET) may be useful in a non-invasive assessment of the formation of Alzheimer's disease-related plaques, according to a study that will appear in the October 2008 issue of Archives of Neurology.

Research on small RNA molecules could bring new therapies

The discovery of small RNA molecules and their relevance for gene regulation has dramatically changed our understanding of many essential cellular processes - and provides the opportunity to develop new ways for treating various diseases.

How small RNA molecules impact biomedical research

The discovery of small RNA molecules and their relevance for gene regulation has dramatically changed our understanding of many essential cellular processes — and provides the opportunity to develop new ways for treating various diseases. By selectively inhibiting gene expression and thereby “silencing” genes involved in pathogenesis, the RNA molecules constitute a unique tool to treat…

Dynamic processes and volume in one capture

During a Toshiba press conference on Monday at ECR 2008, Prof P. Rogalla Chief Radiologist CT and Prof R. Klingebiehl, Department of Neuroradiology both of the Charité University Hospital, Berlin (Germany), reported about the new diagnostic opportunities the company's latest innovation — the Aquillion ONE - offers.

Dynamic volume CT - the impact on neuro-imaging

A 320-row CT scanner (Aquilion One, Toshiba Medical Systems Co., Tokyo, Japan) was installed for the first time in Europe, at the Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany, in November 2007. Its capability to cover the whole brain in a single rotation means this new type of scanner has the potential to impact strongly on the field of neuro-imaging.