Overview

Our Research

The dedication of researchers from the Neurosciences Research Center to discoveries and research in these areas has made BWH investigators world-renowned leaders in the field of neuroscience. Some of the more innovative and advanced treatments and therapies for all diseases of the nervous system include:

 

  • The world’s first Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging System. This invention enables clinicians to take images of the body’s interior during surgery and makes it possible to cure patients with brain tumors that previously were considered inoperable.

 

  • A five-year, $19.2 million NIH grant was awarded to the BWH Surgical Planning Laboratory to lead the National Alliance for Medical Image Computing in 2005. The grant is being used to develop software to extract valuable disease information from imaging data, allowing the power of modern imaging machines to characterize diseases and work together in examining new treatment methods.

 

  • In 2006, BWH neurosurgeons performed the hospital’s 1000th intraoperative MR-guided brain tumor craniotomy using an open MRI-scanner to produce real-time, high-resolution images of the patient’s brain. The surgeons used the images to guide their incisions to ensure they successfully removed a tumor.

 

  • Working with General Electric, neuroscience professionals and their colleagues will soon open AMIGO, short for Advanced Multimodality Image-Guided Operating Room. This image-guided therapy facility, the first of its kind, will comprise three rooms and several types of advanced imaging technology. With AMIGO, surgeons can visualize the structure and function of organs and tissues during a procedure and be sure that they’ve fully treated the problem, possibly sparing the patient further invasive operations.

 

 

 

 

Our Investigators

BWH investigators are nationally and internationally recognized for their contributions to advances in neurosciences research as recipients of prestigious awards including

 

 

  • the current President-Elect of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS); the 2007 J. Kiffin Penry Excellence in Epilepsy Care Award by the American Epilepsy Society;

 

  • the National MS Society/American Academy of Neurology’s 2007 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research;

 

  • the American Association of Neurological Surgeons’ 2007 Charles Wilson award for lifetime achievement in Neurooncology;

 

  • the American Academy of Neurology’s 2007 H. Houston Merritt Award for clinically relevant research;

 

  • and NIH Director’s New Innovator Awards.

 

 

 

 

 

To Learn More

To learn more about the hospital’s efforts in neuroscience care, visit BWH’s Neurosciences Center of Excellence site. For more information about the Neurosciences Research Center, email bwhbri@partners.org.