Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Neuromodulation 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.

Objective: The treatment failure rate for spinal cord stimulators (SCS) remains unacceptably high, with reports of removal in up to 30% of patients. The purpose of this study is to perform survival and multivariate regression analyses of patients who have undergone SCS explantation in order to identify patient characteristics that may predict treatment failure.

Materials And Methods: We identified 253 patients who underwent SCS placement using current procedural terminology codes in a private health insurance data base spanning 2003-2016. Read More

Front Neurol 2020 27;11:160. Epub 2020 Mar 27.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, South Korea.

To treat motor and psychiatric disorders, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are used in clinics worldwide. We combined these two types of neuromodulation technique to increase the effective response of a single session of neuromodulation in subjective tinnitus. Eighty tinnitus subjects were split into four different treatment groups: tDCS, tDCS with sham TMS, tDCS-TMS, and TMS group. Read More

Mol Psychiatry 2020 Mar 16. Epub 2020 Mar 16.

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.

Lithium is a first-line medication for bipolar disorder (BD), but only one in three patients respond optimally to the drug. Since evidence shows a strong clinical and genetic overlap between depression and bipolar disorder, we investigated whether a polygenic susceptibility to major depression is associated with response to lithium treatment in patients with BD. Weighted polygenic scores (PGSs) were computed for major depression (MD) at different GWAS p value thresholds using genetic data obtained from 2586 bipolar patients who received lithium treatment and took part in the Consortium on Lithium Genetics (ConLiGen) study. Read More

Brain Sci 2020 Mar 12;10(3). Epub 2020 Mar 12.

Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20900 Monza, Italy.

It is established that purinergic signaling can shape a wide range of physiological functions, including neurotransmission and neuromodulation. The purinergic system may play a role in the pathophysiology of mood disorders, influencing neurotransmitter systems and hormonal pathways of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Treatment with mood stabilizers and antidepressants can lead to changes in purinergic signaling. Read More

Neural Regen Res 2020 Aug;15(8):1437-1450

Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Tongji University; Spine Surgery Division of Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Spinal cord injury is linked to the interruption of neural pathways, which results in irreversible neural dysfunction. Neural repair and neuroregeneration are critical goals and issues for rehabilitation in spinal cord injury, which require neural stem cell repair and multimodal neuromodulation techniques involving personalized rehabilitation strategies. Besides the involvement of endogenous stem cells in neurogenesis and neural repair, exogenous neural stem cell transplantation is an emerging effective method for repairing and replacing damaged tissues in central nervous system diseases. Read More

Neuroimage Clin 2020 11;25:102165. Epub 2020 Jan 11.

Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Freiburg University Medical Center and Medical Faculty of Freiburg University, Breisacher Strasse 64, Freiburg im Breisgau 79106, Germany.

Background: Major depression (MD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are psychiatric diseases with a huge impact on individual well-being. Despite optimal treatment regiments a subgroup of patients remains treatment resistant and stereotactic surgery (stereotactic lesion surgery, SLS or Deep Brain Stimulation, DBS) might be an option. Recent research has described four networks related to MD and OCD (affect, reward, cognitive control, default network) but only on a cortical and the adjacent sub-cortical level. Read More

Brain Stimul 2020 Mar - Apr;13(2):507-516. Epub 2019 Nov 9.

Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Italy; Berenson-Allen Center for Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique able to transiently modulate brain activity, is surging as one of the most promising therapeutic solutions in many neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, profound limitations exist in current placebo (sham) protocols that limit single- and double-blinding, especially in non-naïve subjects.

Objective: To ensure better blinding and strengthen reliability of tDCS studies and trials, we tested a new optimization algorithm aimed at creating an "active" sham tDCS condition (ActiSham hereafter) capable of inducing the same scalp sensations perceived during real stimulation while preventing currents from reaching the cortex and cause changes in brain excitability. Read More

Neuroimage Clin 2019 5;24:102068. Epub 2019 Nov 5.

Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, United States; Department of Community Medicine, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, United States.

Recent methamphetamine and opioid use epidemics are a major public health concern. Chronic stimulant and opioid use are characterized by significant psychosocial, physical and mental health costs, repeated relapse, and heightened risk of early death. Neuroimaging research highlights deficits in brain processes and circuitry that are linked to responsivity to drug cues over natural rewards as well as suboptimal goal-directed decision-making. Read More

Brain Stimul 2020 Mar - Apr;13(2):378-385. Epub 2019 Nov 23.

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical neuromodulation procedure with a historically wide range of possible therapeutic indications, including movement disorders, neuropsychiatric conditions, and cognitive disorders. Ongoing research in this field is critical to gain further insights into the mechanisms of DBS, to discover novel brain targets for new and existing indications, and to refine targeting and post-operative programming techniques for the optimization of therapeutic outcomes.

Objective: To update on the state of DBS-related clinical human research by cataloging and summarizing clinical trials that have been completed or are currently ongoing in this field worldwide. Read More

Psychiatr Pol 2019 Aug 31;53(4):789-806. Epub 2019 Aug 31.

Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Piastów Śląskich we Wrocławiu, Katedra i Klinika Neurochirurgii.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment method that is currently getting more and more attention from psychiatrists. It has proven to be efficacious and safe in the treatment of neurological disorders, mainly Parkinson's disease (PD), dystonia and essential tremor. DBS has very often contributed to successful treatment in cases that had proved resistant to all other methods of treatment. Read More

Neurol India 2019 Sep-Oct;67(5):1220-1224

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago,IL, USA.

Addiction is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Apart from psychotropic substances, alcohol and nicotine remain the common addictive materials responsible for the majority of deaths. Conventional conservative therapies are beneficial to certain populations, but the majority may require interventional treatments such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) in view of increasing mortality from drug abuse in recent years. Read More

Mol Psychiatry 2019 Nov 11. Epub 2019 Nov 11.

Centre for Human Genetics, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.

Panic disorder (PD) has a lifetime prevalence of 2-4% and heritability estimates of 40%. The contributory genetic variants remain largely unknown, with few and inconsistent loci having been reported. The present report describes the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) of PD to date comprising genome-wide genotype data of 2248 clinically well-characterized PD patients and 7992 ethnically matched controls. Read More

JAMA Neurol 2019 Oct 17. Epub 2019 Oct 17.

Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Importance: Developing more and better diagnostic and therapeutic tools for central nervous system disorders is an ethical imperative. Human research with neural devices is important to this effort and a critical focus of the National Institutes of Health Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. Despite regulations and standard practices for conducting ethical research, researchers and others seek more guidance on how to ethically conduct neural device studies. Read More

Front Neurosci 2019 12;13:936. Epub 2019 Sep 12.

Department of Neurology, Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.

The annual deep brain stimulation (DBS) Think Tank aims to create an opportunity for a multidisciplinary discussion in the field of neuromodulation to examine developments, opportunities and challenges in the field. The proceedings of the Sixth Annual Think Tank recapitulate progress in applications of neurotechnology, neurophysiology, and emerging techniques for the treatment of a range of psychiatric and neurological conditions including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, Tourette syndrome, epilepsy, cognitive disorders, and addiction. Each section of this overview provides insight about the understanding of neuromodulation for specific disease and discusses current challenges and future directions. Read More

J Neurol 2019 Dec 4;266(12):2997-3008. Epub 2019 Sep 4.

Asia-Pacific Centre for Neuromodulation, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

Background: Deep-brain stimulation (DBS) can be effective in controlling medically intractable symptoms of Tourette's syndrome (TS). There is no evidence to date, though, of the potential cost-effectiveness of DBS for this indication.

Objective: To provide the first estimates of the likely cost-effectiveness of DBS in the treatment of severe TS. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Dec 23;132:314-320. Epub 2019 Aug 23.

University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Whereas transient, self-limiting seizures are an infrequent but known complication of deep brain stimulation (DBS) implantation surgery, stimulation itself has occasionally been reported to result in seizure activity at delayed time points. The neural circuitry implicated in stimulation-induced seizures is unknown.

Case Description: A 47-year-old woman underwent chronic subcallosal cingulate DBS for treatment of refractory anorexia nervosa and experienced seizure with stimulation onset. Read More

Transl Psychiatry 2019 08 21;9(1):197. Epub 2019 Aug 21.

Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.

Major depression is a frequent and severe disorder, with a combination of psycho- and pharmacotherapy most patients can be treated. However, ~20% of all patients suffering from major depressive disorder remain treatment resistant; a subgroup might be treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS). We present two trials of DBS to the superolateral medial forebrain bundle (slMFB DBS; FORESEE I and II). Read More

BMJ 2019 Aug 5;366:l4485. Epub 2019 Aug 5.

Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.

Essential tremor is one of the most common movement disorders in adults and can affect both children and adults. An updated consensus statement in 2018 redefined essential tremor as an isolated action tremor present in bilateral upper extremities for at least three years. Tremor may also be present in other locations, commonly the neck or the vocal cords. Read More

Brain Stimul 2019 Nov - Dec;12(6):1345-1348. Epub 2019 Jul 22.

Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University Hospital, 90185, Umeå, Sweden.

J Neurophysiol 2019 09 17;122(3):1023-1035. Epub 2019 Jul 17.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

Subcallosal cingulate cortex deep brain stimulation (SCC-DBS) is an experimental therapy for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Refinement and optimization of SCC-DBS will benefit from increased study of SCC electrophysiology in context of ongoing high-frequency SCC-DBS therapy. The study objective was a 7-mo observation of frequency-domain 1/ slope in off-stimulation local field potentials (SCC-LFPs) alongside standardized measurements of depression severity in 4 patients undergoing SCC-DBS. Read More

Hum Brain Mapp 2019 09 9;40(13):3810-3831. Epub 2019 Jun 9.

Siena Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab (Si-BIN Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.

Working memory (WM) refers to a set of cognitive processes that allows for the temporary storage and manipulation of information, crucial for everyday life skills. WM deficits are present in several neurological, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders, thus making the full understanding of its neural correlates a key aspect for the implementation of cognitive training interventions. Here, we present a quantitative meta-analysis focusing on the underlying neural substrates upon which the n-back, one of the most commonly used tasks for WM assessment, is believed to rely on, as highlighted by functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography findings. Read More

Cerebellum 2019 Dec;18(6):1064-1097

Department of Pathology and Immunology, Department of Neuroscience, Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Suite 1325, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.

The cerebellum is best known for its role in controlling motor behaviors. However, recent work supports the view that it also influences non-motor behaviors. The contribution of the cerebellum towards different brain functions is underscored by its involvement in a diverse and increasing number of neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions including ataxia, dystonia, essential tremor, Parkinson's disease (PD), epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia. Read More

Clin Pharmacol Ther 2019 10 24;106(4):720-722. Epub 2019 May 24.

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Transl Psychiatry 2019 05 23;9(1):150. Epub 2019 May 23.

Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.

Major depressive disorder and the anxiety disorders are highly prevalent, disabling and moderately heritable. Depression and anxiety are also highly comorbid and have a strong genetic correlation (r ≈ 1). Cognitive behavioural therapy is a leading evidence-based treatment but has variable outcomes. Read More

Neurol India 2019 Mar-Apr;67(2):393-394

Department of Neurological Surgery, Center for Neuromodulation, Neuroscience Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.

BMC Neurosci 2019 04 29;20(1):20. Epub 2019 Apr 29.

Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.

Background: Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response, a measurement of sensorimotor gaiting, is modulated by monoaminergic, presumably dopaminergic neurotransmission. Disturbances of the dopaminergic system can cause deficient PPI as found in neuropsychiatric diseases. A target specific influence of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on PPI has been shown in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. Read More

PLoS Comput Biol 2019 04 22;15(4):e1006838. Epub 2019 Apr 22.

Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America.

The ventral striatum (VS) is a central node within a distributed network that controls appetitive behavior, and neuromodulation of the VS has demonstrated therapeutic potential for appetitive disorders. Local field potential (LFP) oscillations recorded from deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes within the VS are a pragmatic source of neural systems-level information about appetitive behavior that could be used in responsive neuromodulation systems. Here, we recorded LFPs from the bilateral nucleus accumbens core and shell (subregions of the VS) during limited access to palatable food across varying conditions of hunger and food palatability in male rats. Read More

Can J Neurol Sci 2019 05 12;46(3):303-310. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center,McGill University,Montreal, Quebec,Canada.

Objectives: To evaluate the attitudes and perceptions of psychiatrists and psychiatry residents regarding neurosurgical procedures for treating psychiatric disorders and to identify potential barriers to patient referral.

Methods: A survey consisting of 25 questions was created using SurveyMonkey and was distributed to psychiatrists and psychiatry residents in Quebec. The study was approved by the McGill University Health Center's Research Ethics Board. Read More

Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2019 03;77(3):174-178

Universidade de Brasília, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Biologia, Brasília DF, Brasil.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been investigated in movement disorders, making it a therapeutic alternative in clinical settings. However, there is still no consensus on the most appropriate treatment protocols in most cases, and the presence of deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes has been regarded as a contraindication to the procedure. We recently studied the effects of cerebellar tDCS on a female patient already undergoing subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) for generalized dystonia. Read More

Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2019 4;97(1):31-36. Epub 2019 Apr 4.

Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA,

Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a well-established therapy for chronic pain syndromes, with growing applicability to other conditions. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a widespread, chronic movement disorder managed primarily and incompletely by medication, and its etiology can be classified as idiopathic or secondary.

Methods: Three patients underwent SCS implantation for chronic back and/or leg pain with concomitant targeting of RLS: (1) a 34-year-old man with sporadic RLS symptoms that strongly intensified after military-related spinal fractures, (2) a 54-year-old man with RLS likely secondary to meralgia paresthetica, and (3) a 42-year-old man with low back and right lower extremity pain after a military motor vehicle accident. Read More

Mov Disord 2019 05 28;34(5):637-656. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Kids Neuroscience Centre, The Kids Research Institute at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.

Movement disorders differ in children to adults. First, neurodevelopmental movement disorders such as tics and stereotypies are more prevalent than parkinsonism, and second, there is a genomic revolution which is now explaining many early-onset dystonic syndromes. We outline an approach to children with movement disorders starting with defining the movement phenomenology, determining the level of functional impairment due to abnormal movements, and screening for comorbid psychiatric conditions and cognitive impairments which often contribute more to disability than the movements themselves. Read More

Neurosurg Clin N Am 2019 Apr 18;30(2):243-256. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address:

Depression is a heterogenous disorder, with roughly 30% of patients deemed resistant to conventional treatments. In these cases, neurosurgical interventions such as lesion procedures or deep brain stimulation offer possible therapeutic options. Here, we review neurosurgical interventions for treatment-resistant depression, focusing on the recent advancements and future directions of deep brain stimulation. Read More

J Neurosci 2019 04 19;39(17):3234-3248. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Centro de Tecnologia em Medicina Molecular,

Neuromodulation of deep brain structures (deep brain stimulation) is the current surgical procedure for treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Less studied is the stimulation of cortical motor areas to treat PD symptoms, although also known to alleviate motor disturbances in PD. We were able to show that optogenetic activation of secondary (M2) motor cortex improves motor functions in dopamine-depleted male mice. Read More

Biol Psychiatry 2019 05 9;85(9):735-743. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Johanniter Hospital Oberhausen, Oberhausen, Germany.

Background: Deep brain stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder is a rapidly developing treatment strategy for treatment-refractory patients. Both the exact target and impact on distributed brain networks remain a matter of debate. Here, we investigated which regions connected to stimulation sites contribute to clinical improvement effects and whether connectivity is able to predict outcomes. Read More

Indian J Psychiatry 2019 Jan-Feb;61(1):13-21

Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Neurosurgery for psychiatric disorders (NPD) has been practiced for >80 years. However, the interests have waxed and waned, from 1000s of surgeries in 1940-1950s to handful of surgery in 60-80s. This changed with the application of deep brain stimulation surgery, a surgery, considered to be "reversible" there has been a resurgence in interest. Read More

Int J Mol Med 2019 Apr 28;43(4):1747-1757. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China.

The cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is an important risk factor for the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). The pathological mechanism of the neuro‑modulation receptor degradation protein ring finger protein 41 (Nrdp1) in CPB‑induced cognitive dysfunction remains unclear. In the present study, aged Sprague‑Dawley male rats and CPB treatment were selected to duplicate the POCD model. Read More

Mov Disord 2019 03 4;34(3):353-365. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

National Parkinson Foundation International Centre of Excellence, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Objective: Real-life observational report of clinical efficacy of bilateral subthalamic stimulation (STN-DBS), apomorphine (APO), and intrajejunal levodopa infusion (IJLI) on quality of life, motor, and nonmotor symptoms (NMS) in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: In this prospective, multicenter, international, real-life cohort observation study of 173 PD patients undergoing STN-DBS (n = 101), IJLI (n = 33), or APO (n = 39) were followed-up using PDQuestionnaire-8, NMSScale (NMSS), Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS)-III, UPDRS-IV, and levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) before and 6 months after intervention. Outcome changes were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank or paired t test when parametric tests were applicable. Read More

Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2019 01 8;6(1):174-185. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Krembil Research Institute University Health Network Toronto Western Hospital Toronto Ontario Canada.

Over the last two decades there has been an exponential rise in the number of patients receiving deep brain stimulation (DBS) to manage debilitating neurological symptoms in conditions such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. Novel applications of DBS continue to emerge including treatment of various psychiatric conditions (e.g. Read More

Exp Neurol 2019 04 10;314:9-19. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address:

Anxiety disorders pose one of the greatest threats to mental health. Modern treatment methods exist but are hindered by relapse, toxicity, and low efficacy. The use of neuromodulation to treat anxiety disorders has shown promising results, yet its underpinning mechanisms remain poorly understood. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2019 Apr 3;62:269-272. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Functional Neurosurgery and DBS, Centro Chirurgico Toscano, Via dei Lecci, 22, 52100 Arezzo, Italy.

Tourette syndrome is a rare neuropsychiatric disorder affecting the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical system. The disease manifests in childhood with tics and various psychiatric comorbidities. Cases of refractory Tourette syndrome are valuable candidates for functional neurosurgery. Read More

Biol Psychiatry 2019 03 20;85(6):454-465. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Electronic address:

Until recently, therapeutic development in psychiatry was targeted solely toward symptom reduction. While this is a worthwhile goal, it has yielded little progress in improved therapeutics in the last several decades in the field of mood disorders. Recent advancements in our understanding of pathophysiology suggests that an impairment of neuroplasticity may be a critical part of the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. Read More

J Alzheimers Dis 2018 ;66(4):1341-1362

Brain Investigation and Neuromodulation Lab, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Section, University of Siena, Italy.

Comforts in modern society have generally been associated with longer survival rates, enabling individuals to reach advanced age as never before in history. With the increase in longevity, however, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease, has also doubled. Nevertheless, most of the observed variance, in terms of time of clinical diagnosis and progression, often remains striking. Read More

Br J Psychiatry 2018 05;212(5):274-278

Centre for Affective Disorders,Institute of Psychiatry,Psychology and Neuroscience,King's College London,London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust,London.

Many novel therapeutic options for depression exist that are either not mentioned in clinical guidelines or recommended only for use in highly specialist services. The challenge faced by clinicians is when it might be appropriate to consider such 'non-standard' interventions. This analysis proposes a framework to aid this decision. Read More

Pain Manag 2019 Jan 5;9(1):93-106. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Neuromodulation Center, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA.

Opioid misuse leading to dependence is a major health issue. Recent studies explored valid alternatives to treat pain in postsurgical settings. This systematic review aims to discuss the role of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in preventing and treating postoperative pain and opioid dependence. Read More

J Sex Med 2018 11;15(11):1558-1569

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, 1st Urology Department, Laikon Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Introduction: Many studies have shown that electrostimulation of the cavernosal nerve can induce and maintain penile erection. Based on these discoveries, neurostimulation to activate the erectile response has been considered a potential solution to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). However, despite recognized potential, this technology has not been further developed. Read More

Neuromodulation 2018 Dec 5;21(8):826-827. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

Department of Psychiatry, Division of Medical Psychology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany.

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2019 01 18;28(1):xi-xii. Epub 2018 Sep 18.

Child and Adolescent Services, Sheppard Pratt Health System, 6501 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21204, USA. Electronic address:

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2019 01 31;28(1):91-100. Epub 2018 Aug 31.

Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, 1601 23rd Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.

Electroconvulsive therapy is an established treatment for symptoms of psychosis and is currently recommended for use in patients who are experiencing an acute exacerbation of positive symptoms or who have had catatonia. There is also evidence to suggest that electroconvulsive therapy can be a safe, effective treatment in first episode psychosis, such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders, particularly in treatment-resistant patients. Other forms of neuromodulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation) have less of an evidence base to support their use and are not formally indicated for the treatment of psychosis. Read More

Brain Struct Funct 2019 Jan 19;224(1):363-372. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS/UMR7275, IPMC, Team Labeled "Laboratory of Excellence (LABEX) Distalz", 660 route des Lucioles, 06560, Sophia-Antipolis, Valbonne, France.

Recent studies have suggested deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a promising therapy in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Particularly, the stimulation of the forniceal area was found to slow down the cognitive decline of some AD patients, but the biochemical and anatomical modifications underlying these effects remain poorly understood. We evaluated the effects of chronic forniceal stimulation on amyloid burden, inflammation, and neuronal loss in a transgenic Alzheimer rat model TgF344-AD, as well as in age-matched control rats. Read More

Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2018 11;62(10):1473-1480

Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Cognitive change affecting patients after anaesthesia and surgery has been recognised for more than 100 yr. Research into cognitive change after anaesthesia and surgery accelerated in the 1980s when multiple studies utilised detailed neuropsychological testing for assessment of cognitive change after cardiac surgery. This body of work consistently documented decline in cognitive function in elderly patients after anaesthesia and surgery, and cognitive changes have been identified up to 7. Read More