New interesting journal - JNRP

Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice is the official international journal of the AAEN - Association for Helping Neurosurgical Sick People.

The primary goal of “Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice” is to provide a platform where the difficulties and practical aspects of neuroscience services faced by the consultants and professionals in the field of neurosciences involved in the everyday practice in rural and remote areas while with working with limited resources can be put across the international intellectual community.

Read more on JNRP webpage.

Study Shows No Significant Difference in Target Site for Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's disease

In a study published in New England Journal of Medicine Follett et al have compared the two targets for Deep Brain Stimulation in patient
with Parkinson's disease - globus pallidus interna and subthalamic nucleus. '

The study showed that patients with Parkinson's disease had similar improvement in motor function after either pallidal or subthalamic stimulation.

Read abstract here.

Sacral Nerve Stimulation to Treat Fecal Incontinence Shows Promise

A study published in Annals of Surgery has shown that Medtronic's InterStim Therapy can be used to treat fecal incontinence. The implantable system delivers electrical stimulation to the nerves which control the bladder, sphincter, and pelvic floor muscles.

According to a News Release from Medtronic 83 percent of patients experienced therapeutic success at 12 months of follow-up, defined as a greater than 50 percent reduction in the number of fecal incontinent episodes per week.  Furthermore, perfect continence (100 percent improvement) was achieved in approximately 40 percent of the patients. 

Read abstract from Annals of Surgery.

Read more on Medgadget.

Live 3D-stereo full-HD retransmission of neurosurgical operation

In the framework of the 9th edition of the ImagéSanté festival, an operation of neurosurgery was captured and retransmitted live and in 3D stereo (and in full HD).

This technological feat took place on 18 March 2010 in Liège, Belgium. The surgical operation was carried out at the University Hospital ("Centre Hospitalier Universitaire or C.H.U.") of Liège and was displayed in the movie theater Sauvenière, in downtown Liège, 16 km (10 miles) away from the hospital.

The surgeon was Prof. Didier Martin, also the President of the Belgian Society of Neurosurgery. According to a spectator "this was better than Avatar".

Read Press Release