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Neuromodulation News: April 2022

President's Message l Scientific Program Takes Shape for the INS 15th World Congress l Latest Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) Guidelines l INS Innovative Research Grant Program Recipients l Webinar Recordings  l Mentorship Program Resumes l NIH Neuromod Prize l Share INS Content l Interim Meeting in Mumbai l Benelux Chapter's New Social Media Accounts l Ways to Get Involved

A Message from the President

I hope this message finds you safe and well as we navigate many complexities of a post-pandemic world. It seems only a short time since my last message but we have much to report in the interim to you on progress of activities at INS.

First and foremost of these is that I can report we are on time and on target to deliver an excellent Scientific Congress in Barcelona in May and I believe this will turn out to be our best Congress ever and with your participation a high attendance event as well. All the components are there, from cadaver course to Innovations Day to main program to industry symposia, to have a successful Congress and I would invite you to firm up your travel plans and reacquaint yourself with the international community of Neuromodulation in one of the most beautiful cities.

The Journal powers onwards and in particular I would like to draw your attention to the two Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) articles recently published within, Recommendations for Surgical Technique for Spinal Cord Stimulation, and, Recommendations on Best Practices for Cervical Neurostimulation. They represent the culmination of over 18 months of work by a diverse group of experts in the field to synthesize best practice and represent our pinnacle of published physician education. My thanks to Dr Tim Deer for leading this process for these two publications.

We have recently released the names of the recipients of the INS Innovative Research Grant program and it was a very competitive field that demonstrates the excellent and dynamic nature of current research. Our winners are Dr Umm E. Hani Abdullah from Purdue University and Dr Dominic Siler from Oregon Health & Science University. They will receive their awards during the General Assembly of Members at the INS Congress on 24 May and we congratulate them on their successful grant awards and look forward to their scientific work. The INS plans to significantly expand this grants program in the very near future so stay tuned for an announcement on that later in the year.

Our webinars and journal clubs remain highly popular and are being accessed from all over the globe showing the demand for topical education and please remember that all content is available in the Members Only section of the INS website so if you have missed a topic it can be revisited.

Our mentorship program has been relaunched and I would encourage both young neuromodulators (whether you be in training or early out of training) to consider availing yourself of this opportunity as well as encouraging experienced neuromodulators to engage with it as the near-universal reports I receive is that it is one of the most professionally satisfying things to be engaged in and is a delight and not a chore. I personally believe I have benefited from it as much as my own mentee has. We will expand this program as much as demand for it necessitates so please consider applying. Matches are made by the INS Executive Officers and members of the Young Neuromodulators (YNM) and International Women in Neuromodulation (iWIN) committees. I encourage you to attend the YNM and iWIN receptions at the INS Congress on Monday, 23 May, and Tuesday, 24 May, respectively, taking place those evenings from 18:30 to 19:30.

Besides the INS Congress there is the INS Interim Meeting being held in Mumbai, India in September of this year under the auspices of Professor Doshi and it promises to be a very high quality meeting which many of you may be interested in considering.

In January the SPARC program of the National Institutes of Health in the United States announced 9.8M dollars for neuromodulation research in 3 phases with a closure date of April 28th. I think this shows the understanding at high levels of government of the potential for neuromodulation to transform lives and reduce societal health care burdens and we applaud this initiative and look forward to seeing the submissions.

On a separate note I would like to take a moment to talk about what you can do as an individual in your everyday life to help support and promote this field. As practitioners, researchers and designers in the field we can see the benefit that accrues to patients when it is appropriately and correctly deployed but that does not mean there are not detractors who wish to see this field curtailed. They may be motivated by professional competition from their own field or a philosophical opposition to technology or a lack of understanding or by a local observation of some poor results from poor selection etc. Regardless of motive I am seeing in some quarters a discourse of populist rhetoric not driven by proper scientific review and I think it behooves us to take the opportunity to educate in our local area our patients, our referrers, our health care administrators and our politicians on the scientific underpinnings of neuromodulation therapies and the dataset of outcomes in clinical trials. Thus I wish to say to our members, what are you personally doing in this area and if the answer is nothing then what can you do to improve local awareness and rational discourse for your voice is very powerful both individually and in aggregate. Please consider sharing INS social media content on your own media platforms as part of expressing that voice.

Marc Russo, MBBS DA (UK) FANZCA FFPMANZCA
INS President



Scientific Program Takes Shape with Oral Abstract Sessions and Late-Breaking Research at the International Neuromodulation Society 15th World Congress

With over 150 oral abstracts and 470 posters presenting the latest neuromodulation research from around the world, the International Neuromodulation Society (INS) 15th World Congress, taking place May 21 – 26, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain, is the premier international scientific event uniquely encompassing the full breadth of neuromodulation science, research, and practice. Reflecting the true multidisciplinary nature of the INS, the Congress has something to offer for all who research, support and practice neuromodulation.

As described in a preview video, the state-of-the-art Scientific Program brings together an international neuromodulation community, covering such topics as the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, invasive and noninvasive neuromodulation, pain, epilepsy, psychiatric issues, sacral nerve stimulation,  and other forms of neuromodulation that have changed the lives of people around the world.

The congress will feature its 6th Innovations in Neuromodulation preconference on Sunday, May 22nd: Neuromodulation without Borders, an educational event where leaders in the global neuromodulation and investment communities will hear from emerging companies highlighting their innovations and some of the challenges and advantages of innovation in their respective locales. For example, the unique way that a therapy is developed and delivered in a region, or a medical condition is viewed and treated.

Podium presentations on the first full day of the main scientific congress include late-breaking research topics:

•    Deep Brain Stimulation for Huntington’s Disease
•    Occipital Nerve Stimulation for Cluster Headache
•    Spinal Cord Stimulation Targeting Non-Dorsal Column, Non-Axonal Structures: Clinical Trial Results

The second day, May 24, will feature the Interactive Workshop for Nurses and Allied Health Professionals: The Patient Journey to Neuromodulation.

In addition to the keynote and plenary lectures, parallel sessions, poster sessions and workshops described in the scientific program, the INS invites all delegates to attend the Congress’ evening receptions, including:

•    May 22: Opening Reception
•    May 23: Young Neuromodulators’ Reception
•    May 24: Women in Neuromodulation Reception

We look forward to greeting you in person there! If you have not already done so, please make your travel plans and register to join us at the Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB), conveniently situated on the sea at this easily accessible cosmopolitan city which is renowned for its many beautiful cultural and historic World Heritage features and inviting Mediterranean climate.

 


Updated Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) Guidelines Published

The latest Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) articles, developed under the auspices of the International Neuromodulation Society (INS), have been published in the January 2022 issue of Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. More articles in the series are on the way.

The Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) and the Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) periodically publish guidance that is intended to be a living document, with regular updates and new information as they become available.

The published guidance is based on grade of evidence, strength of consensus, and expert opinion. The January 2022 surgical technique paper covers surgical planning, device placement and postoperative care. Overall, these comprehensive articles summarize the evidence in a valuable fashion both for current practitioners, and for those who plan to practice in this area.

Many thanks to the more than 40 authors who contributed to publication of this guidance in the January articles:

Deer TR, Russo M, Grider JS, Pope J, Hagedorn JM, Weisbein J, Abd-Elsayed A, Benyamin R, Raso LJ, Patel KV, Provenzano D, Kim PS, Amirdelfan K, Bolash R, Steegers M, Sullivan R, Verrills P, Carlson J, Kapural L, Diwan S, Barolat G, Pahapill PA, De Andres J, Raslan AM, Lopez JA, Leong MS, Attias MB, Teddy P, Green AL, Dario A, Piedimonte F, Chapman KB, Tomycz ND, FitzGerald J, Gatzinsky K, Varshney V, Gish B, Lindsey BL, Buvanendran A, Lamer TJ, Slavin KV, Levy RM. The Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC): Recommendations on Best Practices for Cervical Neurostimulation. Neuromodulation. 2022 Jan;25(1):35-52. doi: 10.1016/j.neurom.2021.10.013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurom.2021.10.015 PMID: 35041587.

Deer TR, Russo M, Grider JS, Pope J, Hagedorn JM, Weisbein J, Abd-Elsayed A, Benyamin R, Raso LJ, Patel KV, Provenzano D, Kim PS, Amirdelfan K, Bolash R, Steegers M, Sullivan R, Verrills P, Carlson J, Kapural L, Diwan S, Barolat G, Pahapill PA, De Andres J, Raslan AM, Lopez JA, Leong MS, Attias MB, Teddy P, Green AL, Dario A, Piedimonte F, Chapman KB, Tomycz ND, FitzGerald J, Gatzinsky K, Varshney V, Gish B, Lindsey BL, Buvanendran A, Lamer TJ, Slavin KV, Levy RM. The Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC): Recommendations on Best Practices for Cervical Neurostimulation. Neuromodulation. 2022 Jan;25(1):35-52. doi: 10.1016/j.neurom.2021.10.013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurom.2021.10.013 PMID: 35041587



International Neuromodulation Society’s Innovative Research Grant Program Awards Two Inaugural Grants

The first projects to receive grants from the International Neuromodulation Society (INS) Innovative Research Grant Program focus on preliminary investigation of implanted devices in potentially emerging indications.

In all 55 applications were submitted from 15 countries. The INS thanks and appreciates all who applied. In the inaugural year, the INS set out to award two grants of up to $30,000 for pilot studies. A goal of the program is that investigators may use data developed in the pilot projects to support future grant applications with external funding agencies. The inaugural grant recipients are Umm E Hani Abdullah, MBBS, and Dominic Siler, MD, PhD. Descriptions of their projects, and envisioned future directions, follow. 

Umm E Hani Abdullah, MBBS
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
Purdue University
 
Research Topic:  Deep brain stimulation in the Syngap1+/- Mouse Model of Autism and Intellectual Disability

In this project. Dr. Abdullah and collaborators will study the effects of deep brain stimulation to the basolateral amygdala in a mouse model of autism and intellectual disability. The Syngap1+/-  mice have only one copy of a gene important for neuronal maturation, a lack that causes a developmental insufficiency which has been implicated in many cases of autism and intellectual disability. The team will study behavioral effects of stimulation to this target and begin studies of post-stimulation changes in new protein synthesis in order to potentially identify biomarkers of autism. The hypothesis is that through connections to the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, stimulation of this target may induce plasticity and improve deficits in interaction and learning. In the project, Dr. Abdullah is mentored by Prof. Tamara Kinzer-Ursem, PhD, and co-advisor Prof. Maria Dadarlat Makin, PhD, and will collaborate with Karin Ejendal, PhD, and Wendy Koss, PhD.

Dr. Abdullah is pursuing a graduate degree in biomedical engineering at Purdue University. She developed an interest in neurosurgery during her medical training in Pakistan, and would like to continue research in psychiatric neuromodulation in a clinical residency program.

To build upon the pilot studies in future work, the research team proposes developing chronic deep brain stimulation models, and correlating network effects with behavior and changes in protein synthesis implicated in plasticity.

Dominic Siler, MD, PhD
House Officer
Department of Neurosurgery
Oregon Health & Science University

Research Topic:  Brown Adipose Tissue Activation by Spinal Cord Stimulation

Among fat stores, brown adipose tissue (BAT) is rich in mitochondria and generates heat under cold conditions. The observation of this tissue in humans has elicited growing interest in its therapeutic potential and activation of BAT has been suggested as a way to ameliorate obesity. In preclinical work, Dr. Siler’s research group showed BAT could be activated in a rat model of obesity through spinal cord stimulation (SCS) at a high thoracic location. The group initiated a pilot clinical study to evaluate whether SCS can activate BAT in humans. In the recently funded study, 10 participants scheduled for trial placement of a percutaneous SCS electrode for chronic pain will also receive an electrode in the high thoracic region. After 3 and 5 days, study subjects will be randomized to “on” or “off” stimulation and undergo PET CT scanning of metabolic activity. Afterwards, the patients will begin their routine SCS trial phase for chronic pain. After that phase, the study electrode will be removed. The study is currently enrolling and completion is expected within two years.

As the project principal investigator, Dr. Siler is interested in becoming an academic clinician-scientist, with an interest in novel imaging methods and technical solutions to neurosurgical disease. He is a fifth-year neurosurgery resident at Oregon Health & Science University, where his project mentor is Prof. Kim Burchiel, MD, with collaboration from co-investigator Erik Mittra, MD, and assistance from study coordinator Michael McGehee.

Once the current study is completed, the project team would like to obtain external funding to definitively study BAT activation by SCS, and its effects on metabolism, molecular composition of adipose tissue (browning), and clinical outcomes.

The Innovative Research Grant Program is funded through a combination of:
•    Generous donations from industry. We gratefully acknowledge Boston Scientific Corporation and Medtronic plc for providing significant grants to the INS to initiate this important program.
•    INS funds. The International Neuromodulation Society has contributed to this program as part of its strategic mission.

The grants will be presented in an award ceremony at the INS 15th World Congress in Barcelona on Tuesday, 24 May during the INS General Assembly of Members. We invite our members to attend and congratulate the recipients in person in Barcelona!

 


Webinar and Journal Club Recordings Are Available for Members to View on Demand

Recordings of all International Neuromodulation Society (INS) webinars and virtual journal club sessions are available for viewing by members in the INS website, neuromodulation.com, Members Only area. We have made these recordings available to be watched at any time as a helpful resource, and we invite our members to use them as a training tool for their fellows, students and colleagues who are newer to the field.

"The recorded INS webinars have become a mainstay of training for residents and fellows. They inform trainees of all levels and facilitate discussions and deeper dives on topic matters of importance to all neuromodulators," commented INS Regional Director-at-Large Julie Pilitsis, MD, PhD, who is Dean and Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University.

 


International Neuromodulation Society Mentorship Program Application Period Opens

We are pleased to announce that the International Neuromodulation Society’s Mentorship Program is now accepting new applications for both Mentees and Mentors and we would like to invite you to participate in this unique program that is available only to INS members. This educational experience seeks to pair practitioners who are in training or early autonomous practice (Mentees) with highly qualified leaders in the field of neuromodulation (Mentors). Mentoring pairs are expected to have regular contact to discuss important topics in the field of implantable technologies, best practices, clinical management and career development. Mentees will also be expected to present articles in the INS’s monthly virtual journal clubs. The mentorship program is industry neutral and aims to provide supplemental enrichment to expand and enhance neuromodulation practice. 

If you are an existing member and would like to apply to become a mentor or mentee, please check your email inbox for an email with instructions for applying. If you would like the email sent again, or if you are not a member and would like to participate in this program, please write to the INS Executive Office at [email protected].

The INS Executive Officers and members of the Young Neuromodulators (YNM) and International Women in Neuromodulation (iWIN) Committees will be matching Mentees and Mentors, with the goal of linking new practitioners with more experienced colleagues. We encourage you and your colleagues to apply as Mentors or Mentees, and take advantage of educational and networking opportunities in INS chapters and internationally. (INS / Chapter membership is required for participation.) This is an opportunity to actively engage the next generation of neuromodulators. We thank you in advance for your consideration.
 
We also invite you to attend receptions hosted by the YNM and iWIN Committees in the INS's 15th World Congress from 21-26 May in Barcelona.   
•    Young Neuromodulators Reception - Monday, 23 May, 18:30-19:30  
•    iWIN Reception - Tuesday, 24 May, 18:30-19:30  

We hope you will participate in this enriching program and we hope to see you in Barcelona!



Competition Announced to Fund Development of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation to Modulate Autonomic Function

The National Institutes of Health has launched the $9.8 million Neuromod Prize through the Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC) program of the NIH Common Fund. The competition seeks groundbreaking peripheral nerve stimulation approaches to independently regulate at least two autonomic functions without unintended effects on non-target organs.

The competition is aimed to help early stage research progress to clinical application. The first phase calls on scientists, engineers, and clinicians to submit novel concepts and plans for development. Concept papers are due by April 28, and up to eight winners will receive a share of the up to $800,000 Phase 1 prize pool.
 
Phase 1 winners will be exclusively invited to participate in future phases, anticipated to take place in 2022 and beyond. Phase 2 will have a total potential prize pool of $4 million, and Phase 3 will have a total potential prize pool of $5 million, subject to the availability of funds.

Learn more about the Neuromod Prize at https://www.neuromodprize.com/.

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Share INS, Congress, and Journal Social Media Posts

Everybody is welcome and encouraged to share social media content that the International Neuromodulation Society (INS) provides about articles in Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface through its @JNeuromod accounts on: Facebook - Twitter - Instagram and the INS LinkedIn account. These posts about the journal include short videos and visual abstracts of select Editor's Choice articles, which are created by members of the INS Journal Social Media Committee. For increased visibility, versions of the journal visual abstracts also appear on the journal Weibo account in China, 世界神经调控学会.

Additionally, the INS LinkedIn account and the INS medical society accounts on Facebook - Twitter - YouTube - Instagram post information the INS World Congress, which we appreciate everyone sharing as well.

New! Attendees of the INS 15th World Congress now have a number of graphical options to share on social media platforms, available at https://ins-congress.com/tips-resources/. These downloadable options come in three categories, two color schemes, and four sizes.

For example:

Join me

I am presenting

Backgrounds to personalize

Many thanks to the INS Journal Social Media Committee members for creating and sharing of social media posts concerning key articles in the journal. Everyone's efforts help raise increased awareness of the scientific underpinnings of neuromodulation therapy and the importance of our multidisciplinary journal in promulgating high-quality research and knowledge about the development and clinical application of neuromodulation therapies to treat disease and improve function.

 

 


The International Neuromodulation Society Third Interim Meeting Is Scheduled for Nov. 11-13, 2022 in Mumbai

To register, submit an abstract, or learn more, please visit: https://www.ins-im2020.com/ . The meeting's extended abstract deadline is June 30, 2022.

The theme of the meeting is “Gateway to the World of Neuromodulation".

The meeting will address the current and forthcoming developments in the field of Neuromodulation. The Neuromodulation Society, the Indian chapter of INS, perceives that the future of Neuromodulation would integrate and intersect all specialties of medicine. Towards this end, this meeting has developed a unique program to engage the Neurologist and Psychiatrists (besides Neurosurgeons and Pain Physicians) to encourage their active participation. This thought have been further strengthened by the presence of the leading faculties in this field who have agreed to contribute.

The organizers, led by meeting chairman and The Neuromodulation Society of India President Prof. Paresh Doshi, have set out to offer a safe and edifying meeting.
 
Keynote lectures will address such issues as:

•    Delivering Neuromodulation in an Emerging Economy, by INS President Marc Russo, MBBS DA (UK) FANZCA FFPMANZCA
•    Evolution of Neuromodulation in the Next Decade: As I See It, by INS President-Elect Konstantin Slavin, MD
•    Cortical Stimulation for Motor Recovery, by INS Immediate Past President Robert M. Levy, MD, PhD
•    Work-Life Balance: From Ironman to INS President, by INS Past President Timothy Deer, MD
•    Chronic Pain Sensing, Monitoring and Analytics to Improve Neuromodulation Therapies, by Prof. Ali Rezai, MD

The INS began interim regional meetings in 2016 in order to bring neuromodulation education to physicians in parts of the world where it may be more difficult to travel to attend the INS biennial congress. This interim meeting will further this goal of the INS by providing one of the most enriching upcoming neuromodulation meetings in Asia.

The organizers also promise to make this a memorable cultural and social event and have lined up exciting evening programs for all the registrants without any additional cost!

Look forward to welcome you in Mumbai.


The Benelux Neuromodulation Society Invites Followers to Its New Social Media Accounts

The use of social media has dramatically increased, not only as an informal way to connect with friends, but also to spread latest research developments, spot recently published articles or receive congress information. Inspired by the active accounts of INS on social media, the Benelux Neuromodulation Society (BNS) is pleased to announce the creation of social media accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Lately, the BNS is encouraging young researchers in the field of neuromodulation to integrate research in clinical practice, wherefore the chapter aims to create an informal way of spreading research information and recently published articles from our members. The chapter is encouraging all BNS members to share interesting news and recently published articles with us so that they can be spread among the community through the social media accounts. The ultimate goal is to promote joint research projects among BNS members, resulting in more robust research evidence. In order to create new research alliances among our members and to provide a new forum to spread research results, the BNS would like to encourage all members to follow the social media accounts of the BNS.

The accounts are managed by BNS President Maarten Moens, MD, PhD, and BNS Chief Science Officer Lisa Goudman, PhD.  

Benelux Neuromodulation Society | Facebook
Benelux Neuromodualtion Society: Overview | LinkedIn
BNS (@bns_chapter_of_ins) • Instagram-foto's en -video's



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Last Updated on Monday, March 28, 2022 02:20 PM