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UTHSCSA
DEAN’S MESSAGE
NEUROSURGERY’S FUTURE graduated from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
Neuromodulation for relief of epilepsy, Parkinson’s and intractable and has an interest in PTSD. Using rodent models, they have prelim-
inary results that suggest that this approach will be useful in humans.
chronic pain symptoms is another area where the department has been The department also conducts research focused on brain and spine
participating in the leading edge of care. Informally known as a “pace- trauma, as well as many aspects of stroke treatment.
maker for the brain,” the treatment involves a stimulation device (typ-
ically implanted in the same location as a pacemaker) that has electrical Endovascular neurosurgery has been a game-changer in the treat-
leads going into the spine/nerves, or has leads in the brain for deep ment of many conditions and diseases, and our department, along
brain stimulation (DBS) or vagal nerve stimulation (VNS). with its extensive residency program, is at the forefront of this move-
ment, as well as advancing the standard of more traditional methods.
Department of Neurosurgery faculty also are actively involved in Offering specialization in all aspects of adult and pediatric care – and
the care of epilepsy patients who come to the Level 4-designated leading the world in the treatment of craniosynostosis – we are very
Epilepsy Center in partnership with the Department of Neurology fortunate to have Dr. Jimenez and his team at the School of Medicine.
and the University Health System. This is the highest accreditation To read more about our neurosurgery programs and people, visit
from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers. Using VNS and http://neurosurgery.uthscsa.edu. To discuss a case with Dr. Jimenez,
other interventions, patients can receive surgical treatment that can please call him directly at 210-567-5625.
dramatically reduce the occurrence of seizures associated with the
condition. Francisco González-Scarano, MD, is dean of the
School of Medicine, vice president for medical affairs,
Additionally, there are a number of psychiatric disorders where DBS professor of neurology, and the John P. Howe III, MD,
or VNS may offer some relief, and Drs. Jean-Louis Caron, professor, Distinguished Chair in Health Policy at the University
and Alexander Papanastassiou, assistant professor, both in the Depart- of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. His
ment of Neurosurgery, have begun promising research that involves email address is scarano@uthscsa.edu.
DBS for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They are collaborat-
ing with Bradley Dengler, MD, a current neurosurgery resident who
visit us at www.bcms.org 29
