Conference on Neuroprosthetic Devices

First International Conference on Neuroprosthetic Devices will take place at National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan on March 19th and 20th, 2009. The mission of this newly founded conference is to foster West-East interaction and collaboration in the rapidly advancing clinical use of neuroprosthetics. The specific aim of the first conference is to expose unique technological and neurological research opportunities in Taiwan. National Chaio Tung University is one of the best universities in Taiwan and is located right next to the world-famous HsinChu Science Park hosting hundreds of biotechnology, semiconductor, and electronics companies. The conference sessions will cover several key areas in the neuroprosthetic development, such as deep brain stimulation for treatment of Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy, devices for restoring hearing and overcoming muscle paralysis, microelectrode biocompatibility, and novel microelectrode technologies. For detailed conference program and registration information, please visit http://www.bsrc.nctu.edu.tw/ICND/.

Deep brain stimulation lecture

Ludvic Zrinzo a consultant neurosurgeon and senior clinical researcher at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and the Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, will deliver a lecture on Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) at the next meeting of the Philosophy Society to be held on April 30 at 7 p.m. at Francis Ebejer Hall, Lecture Centre.
DBS is a powerful surgical technique developed to treat chronic neurological disorders whereby electrodes implanted deep within various structures of the human brain allow clinicians to modify abnormal brain activity, providing relief from disabling symptoms of conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Dystonia.
However, surgical modulation of human brain function can also influence thought and emotion as well as movement.
Chronic pain, Tourette syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder and depression have all been treated with DBS.
Should our society hail the therapeutic advent of brain control or denounce it because of potential abuse? Mr Zrinzo's presentation is an introduction to the reality and aspirations of functional neurosurgery. It is anticipated that the subject matter will inspire a healthy ethical and philosophical debate among the participants.

Mood Disorders: Where Technology Meets Tradition

Annual Meeting & Scientific Program of the Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association (OPPA

Saturday, April 12th was the 2008 Spring/Annual Meeting for the OPPA: Mood Disorders: Where Technology Meets Tradition.

The meeting was held at the Hilton Cleveland East (Beachwood.) It was a well attending event with members from all over Ohio. It was exciting to see such a great resident turnout!

Here is a list of the great presentations we had this year:
"Neuroimaging and Psychiatry: Basic Principles and Possibilities" & "Neuroimaging and Neurocognitive Studies of Bipolar Disorder" by Jair C. Soares, MD

"Treatment Refractory Depression" by Stephen F. Pariser, MD

"Treatment Resistant Bipolar Disorder" by Prashant Gajwani, MD

"PET Imaging to Assess Acute and Chronic Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Treatment Resistant Depression" by Charles R. Conway, MD

"The Use of Deep Brain Stimulation in Psychiatric Disorders" by George E. Tesar, MD

"ECT for Treatment Resistant Mood Disorders" by Susan Kimmel, MD

ECT and Other Brain Stimulation Therapies: Optimizing Patient Outcomes

Certificate Course on Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Lectures, Hands-on Practicum and Exam
Saturday, May 3, 2008

18th Annual Meeting of the ACT
ECT and Other Brain Stimulation Therapies:
Optimizing Patient Outcomes
In conjunction with International Society
for Transcranial Stimulation (ISTS)
Sunday, May 4, 2008

Sibley Memorial Hospital
Washington, D.C.

You can download the the brochure and registration form here (please be patient, it is a large PDF file)