MEGIN CEO Speaks at Neuroscience-20 World Brain Mapping Summit in Argentina
MEGIN CEO Speaks at Neuroscience-20 World Brain Mapping Summit in Argentina BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Dec. 6, 2018 — Janne Huhtala, CEO of MEGIN, a manufacturer of magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology for functional brain imaging, spoke about the future innovation of MEG technology during the Fifth Annual G20 World Brain Mapping Summit/Neuroscience 20. The N20, held on November 26-27, in Buenos Aries, Argentina, brought together leading specialists, directors of International Brain Initiatives and medical associations presidents, to discuss the global economic impact of neurological disorders and build greater collaboration in fields related to epilepsy, mental health, neuro-oncology, neurotrauma, spine and neurosurgery. N20 leaders published resolution 27112018 with consensus recommendations that will address the economic burden of brain, spine and other nervous system disorders that amount to over $13 Trillion USD annually by introducing game-changing diagnostics and therapeutics such as MEG. During the N20 summit, Huhtala addressed how the use of functional brain imaging with MEG has impacted patient care and led to translational research of challenging neurological conditions. He explained that through understanding brain connectivity, there is the potential for the clinical community to develop new methods of improving the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of diseases. “It was an honor to present to a room of esteemed leaders in neuroscience community from around the world,” said Huhtala. “The focus of the conference aligns with our corporate goals of innovating MEG technology and we look forward to supporting the clinical community in search of ways to better understand how the brain is connected.” “MEG is a great technology that has been neglected for years,” said Dr. Babak Kateb, Global President and Chairman of Neuroscience-20 (N20), Chairman of the board and CEO of Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT), President of Brain Mapping Foundation, Director of National Center for NanoBioElectronic (NCNBE) and Director of Brain Technology and Innovation Park (BTIP). “Our patients have been deprived of access to this technology for decades. It is refreshing to see MEGIN has a convincing strategic plan to make this technology as prevalent and accessible as MRI. This could not have been possible without the visionary leadership of Mr. Janne Huhtala who has a track record in neurotech innovation, clearly understands the technology/field and has a passion to help millions of patients through cutting-edge technology. This is a great example of how N20 could bring advanced therapeutics and diagnostics to the millions of patients through global collaborations,” said Kateb. About MEGIN Based in Helsinki, Finland, MEGIN has been the largest provider of MEG technology for functional brain imaging. TRUIX™ neo, launched in 2018, is the fourth-generation system introduced for the presurgical evaluation of epilepsy, brain tumors, or other lesions, and surgical planning for localization of sensory information. With a dynamic view of the human brain, TRIUX neo is a non-invasive, real-time, patient-specific view of neural activity with millimeter accuracy and millisecond resolution.
DR. ZELINSKY ADDRESSED N20 WORLD SUMMIT
How the Mind•Eye Connection Affects Mental Health Internationally noted for her work on the retina and its impact on brain function, physiology, and mental health, Dr. Zelinsky is the first optometrist ever invited to address the prestigious N20 World Brain Mapping & Therapeutic Neuroscience Summit (BRAIN20, SPINE20 and MENTAL20 Health). Dr. Zelinsky recently was a keynote speaker at the N20 Conference (BRAIN20, SPINE20 and MENTAL20 Health) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There, she spoke to leading neuroscientists and neurosurgeons from around the world about how eye care must evolve from the 20th-century model in order to help more people. The N20 Summit passed Dr. Zelinsky’s policy recommendations along to the G20 Summit of world leaders on November 30, 2018, where they were accepted and will eventually be implemented. The N20 Summit (BRAIN20, SPINE20 and MENTAL20 Health) was launched in 2014 as a project of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics. The S.B.M.T. is aligned with the National Institutes of Health’s BRAIN Initiative – to revolutionize understanding of the human brain and accelerate the development of new technologies that will more effectively treat neurological disorders. Learn more about the NIH here. Typical Eye Testing May Not Thoroughly Assess Sensory Overload 01Make The ConnectionThe traditional practice of using eyeglasses simply to give a patient clearer, 20/20 eyesight is outdated. Current scientific knowledge presents the opportunity for prescription eyeglasses to be selectively designed to alter sensory integration, including auditory function and body biochemistry, and affect learning disabilities, autism, symptoms of concussion and many other neurological impairments. 02Changing PerspectivesMental health disorders have reached a crisis level in the world, including the United States, and are as much related to retinal sensitivities in peripheral eyesight and lack of integration between visual and auditory signals, as they are to abnormal brain activity and neurochemical imbalances. Just as changes in environmental stimuli can impact brain function and biochemistry, so, too, eyeglasses can modify environmental input to the retina and mitigate neurological issues. 03Skillness vs IllnessPolicy changes regarding screening for proper connections between eyes and ears could allow health professionals to intervene in this public health care crisis by preventing or at least reducing various mental health issues, thereby enhancing the quality of citizens’ lives (young and old), promoting better productivity of citizens, and potentially reducing health care costs by millions of dollars worldwide. “The retina serves as a two-way portal into the mind and body,” says Dr. Zelinsky, a fellow in both the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, a member of the Society for Brain Mapping and a community leader for the Society of Neuroscience. “The way light enters the retina impacts brain function, affects various nervous systems and alters body biochemistry. We have the knowledge to affect the mind and body in positive ways. “As eye care professionals, we can have a positive impact on cognitive impairments using prescriptive eyeglasses that modify the retina’s perception of light,” she says. Dr. Zelinsky developed the Z-Bell Test℠, a simple but revolutionary method of checking a patient’s overall awareness of space and his or her integration of visual processing with listening. The test has changed the lives of both pediatric and adult patients.“With the Z-Bell Test℠, we can determine whether the environment is in sync or just plain confusing for a patient,” she explains. “Using the proper mix of filters, lenses and/or prisms, we can readjust a patient’s visual balance and eye-ear integration by altering the way in which light disperses across the retina. Changes in luminance on the eye affect how the brain interprets and reacts to information about the environment and can impact a person’s spatial awareness, body movement and selective attention to sound.”Dr. Zelinsky’s groundbreaking work in assessing brain function, with an emphasis on the linkage between eyes and ears, is described in the recently published book The Ghost in My Brain: How a Concussion Stole My Life and How the New Science of Brain Plasticity Helped Me Get It Back. The book was written by one of her former, recovered patients, Clark Elliott, PhD.
Üsküdar University attended G20 5. Brain Initiative and Neuroscience Summit
Üsküdar University attended the G20 summit N20/Neuroscience20 (BRAIN20, SPINE20, MENTAL20 Health) Initiative held at Buenos Aires, Argentine on November 26 and 27, 2018. The scientists who conduct brain research activities got together at the Summit supported by Üsküdar University. 5. G20 summit N20/Neuroscience20 (BRAIN20, SPINE20, MENTAL20 Health) Initiative, organized within the scope of cooperation studies on Brain Mapping, was held in Argentina on 26 – 27 November 2018. The scientists who conduct brain research activities got together at the Summit supported by Üsküdar University. Issues such as “reducing health costs, achieving effective results through innovation, and monitoring of neurotechnological developments” were discussed this year in the event that was organized in cooperation between Üsküdar University, Brain Mapping and Therapeutic Association (SBMT), IBM, Mind and Eye Institute (Mind Eye Institute) and G20 summit N20/Neuroscience20 (BRAIN20, SPINE20, MENTAL20 Health) Initiative. The only university attended the Summit from Turkey: Üsküdar University Besides the representatives from Argentina, representatives, and leaders from Turkey, Australia, Japan, Canada, Germany, Brazil, USA, South Africa, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, India, Indonesia, China, Mexico, Russia, European Union, South Korea, and United Kingdom also attended the G20 Neuroscience Summit. Üsküdar University President Prof. Nevzat Tarhan and Human Resources Director, Faculty Member Serdar Karagöz represented Turkey at the Summit. Prof. Tarhan delivered a presentation about “Neurotechnology Using in Psychiatric Treatment”. Studies on neuroscience are carried out It was aimed at the G20 summit N20/Neuroscience20 (BRAIN20, SPINE20, MENTAL20 Health) Initiative to discuss new diagnostic and therapeutic methods for patients with neuro-psychiatric and spinal disorders and make global consensus and partnerships on brain and spine health initiatives. Only Turkish university to represent and attend at the Summit Üsküdar University was the only university to attend and represent Turkey at the G20 summit N20/Neuroscience20 (BRAIN20, SPINE20, MENTAL20 Health) Initiative held on November 2015 at Antalya. Üsküdar University has also attended the G20 summit N20/Neuroscience20 (BRAIN20, SPINE20, MENTAL20 Health) Initiative at China in 2016 and at Germany in 2017. It was aimed to gather scientists, engineers, and physicians together in order to contribute to the Brain Initiative initiated by former US President Obama and increase the actions related to initiatives in G20 countries. Clinical solutions for neurological disorders costing 100 billion dollars each year to the world economy were discussed within the scope of the summit. Turkish Representative at Brain Initiatives Project Üsküdar University carries out the representation and project partnership of the Brain Initiative Project initiated by the former US President Barack Obama in 2013. A number of studies have been performed to this day within the scope of the project, which aims to solve the unknown secrets of the brain, investigate and develop the treatment of important brain diseases such as autism, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)
MEGIN CEO Janne Huhtala Speaks At Neuroscience-20 (N20)/G20 World Brain Mapping Summit
BUENOS ARIES, Argentina, Dec. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Janne Huhtala, CEO of MEGIN, a manufacturer of magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology for functional brain imaging, spoke about the future innovation of MEG technology during the Fifth Annual G20 World Brain Mapping Summit/Neuroscience 20. The N20, held on November 26-27, in Buenos Aries, Argentina, brought together leading specialists, directors of International Brain Initiatives and medical associations presidents, to discuss the global economic impact of neurological disorders and build greater collaboration in fields related to epilepsy, mental health, neuro-oncology, neurotrauma, spine and neurosurgery. N20 leaders published resolution 27112018 with consensus recommendations that will address the economic burden of brain, spine and other nervous system disorders that amount to over $13 Trillion USD annually by introducing game-changing diagnostics and therapeutics such as MEG. During the N20 summit, Huhtala addressed how the use of functional brain imaging with MEG has impacted patient care and led to translational research of challenging neurological conditions. He explained that through understanding brain connectivity, there is the potential for the clinical community to develop new methods of improving the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of diseases. “It was an honor to present to a room of esteemed leaders in neuroscience community from around the world,” said Huhtala. “The focus of the conference aligns with our corporate goals of innovating MEG technology and we look forward to supporting the clinical community in search of ways to better understand how the brain is connected.” “MEG is a great technology that has been neglected for years,” said Dr. Babak Kateb, Global President and Chairman of Neuroscience-20 (N20), Chairman of the board and CEO of Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT), President of Brain Mapping Foundation, Director of National Center for NanoBioElectronic (NCNBE) and Director of Brain Technology and Innovation Park (BTIP). “Our patients have been deprived access to this technology for decades. It is refreshing to see MEGIN has a convincing strategic plan to make this technology as prevalent and accessible as MRI. This could not have been possible without the visionary leadership of Mr. Janne Huhtala who has track record in neurotech innovation, clearly understands the technology/field and has a passion to help millions of patients through cutting-edge technology. This is a great example of how N20 could bring advanced therapeutics and diagnostics to the millions of patients through global collaborations,” said Kateb. About MEGIN In July 2018, York Instruments, a subsidiary of Croton Healthcare, acquired MEGIN from Elekta, forming a neurosciences technology company focused on developing innovative solutions in functional brain imaging. Based in Helsinki, Finland, MEGIN has been the largest provider of MEG technology for functional brain imaging. TRUIX™ neo, launched in 2018, is the fourth-generation system introduced for the presurgical evaluation of epilepsy, brain tumors, or other lesions, and surgical planning for localization of sensory information. With a dynamic view of the human brain, TRIUX neo is a non-invasive, real time, patient specific view of neural activity with millimeter accuracy and millisecond resolution. For further information, please contact: For MEGIN:Tyler LecceadoneSeyferthPR616-776-3511lecceadone@seyferthpr.com SOURCE MEGIN
En el marco del G20, se realizará un encuentro de neurociencias
Será el lunes y el martes en el hotel Hilton En el marco de la realización de la cumbre del G20 en la ciudad de Buenos Aires, en el hotel Hilton se llevará adelante una nueva edición del Neuroscience 20, un evento que se propone analizar el impacto económico que tienen las enfermedades del sistema nervioso. En total, se realizarán siete paneles de discusión en los que participarán distintos expertos del área de variadas nacionalidades. Además, habrá charlas y presentaciones de reconocidos profesionales. El lunes 26 se tratarán temas en cuatro paneles como la salud mental en general, la epilepsia, las enfermedades cardiovasculares y los desórdenes neurodegenerativos de la columna vertebral. El martes 27 los paneles de discusión girarán en torno a la neurooncología, las innovaciones en la neurocirugía y los traumas en el cerebro y la columna vertebral. En ese sentido, el presidente del comité local de Expertos del evento, Alejandro Mercado Santori, aseguró que las jornadas están basadas “específicamente en la esfera de las Neurociencias, y apuntado al análisis regional y global, tanto de la incidencia como así también del impacto económico que cada una de las enfermedades del sistema nervioso tienen en la población local y mundial”. “Estarán presentes neurocientíficos de gran prestigio y renombre, tanto del ámbito de la Neurología y Neurocirugía argentina, así como de distintas partes del mundo (Estados Unidos, Australia, Francia, Alemania, Brasil, Chile, México, India, entre otros), contando también con la presencia de investigadores internacionales del ámbito de la bio-ingeniería y de las telecomunicaciones”, agregó Mercado Santori. En esa línea, concluyó: “Esperamos acrecentar la estrecha relación entre ciencia, tecnología y política sanitaria. Creemos que es una oportunidad única para nuestro país, la cual no debemos dejar pasar por alto. Los ojos del mundo van a estar puestos en esta cumbre del G20″.
In the framework of the G20, a neurosciences meeting will be held
The G20, or Group of 20, is the main international forum for economic, financial and political cooperation En el marco de la realización de la cumbre del G20 en la ciudad de Buenos Aires, en el hotel Hilton se llevará adelante una nueva edición del Neuroscience 20, un evento que se propone analizar el impacto económico que tienen las enfermedades del sistema nervioso. En total, se realizarán siete paneles de discusión en los que participarán distintos expertos del área de variadas nacionalidades. Además, habrá charlas y presentaciones de reconocidos profesionales. El lunes 26 se tratarán temas en cuatro paneles como la salud mental en general, la epilepsia, las enfermedades cardiovasculares y los desórdenes neurodegenerativos de la columna vertebral. El martes 27 los paneles de discusión girarán en torno a la neurooncología, las innovaciones en la neurocirugía y los traumas en el cerebro y la columna vertebral. En ese sentido, el presidente del comité local de Expertos del evento, Alejandro Mercado Santori, aseguró que las jornadas están basadas “específicamente en la esfera de las Neurociencias, y apuntado al análisis regional y global, tanto de la incidencia como así también del impacto económico que cada una de las enfermedades del sistema nervioso tienen en la población local y mundial”. “Estarán presentes neurocientíficos de gran prestigio y renombre, tanto del ámbito de la Neurología y Neurocirugía argentina, así como de distintas partes del mundo (Estados Unidos, Australia, Francia, Alemania, Brasil, Chile, México, India, entre otros), contando también con la presencia de investigadores internacionales del ámbito de la bio-ingeniería y de las telecomunicaciones”, agregó Mercado Santori. En esa línea, concluyó: “Esperamos acrecentar la estrecha relación entre ciencia, tecnología y política sanitaria. Creemos que es una oportunidad única para nuestro país, la cual no debemos dejar pasar por alto. Los ojos del mundo van a estar puestos en esta cumbre del G20″.
Scientists Explain John McCain’s Brain Cancer
Scientists explain treatments for brain cancer and discuss glioblastoma, the brain cancer that took John McCain’s life. Christine Kim reports for NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Aug. 26, 2018.
Brain Mapping Foundation Turned Los Angeles into the Brain Capital of the World and will be holding its first World BRAIN Expo in 2019 in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — 700+ World leading experts in brain/ spine mapping and therapeutics converged to Los Angeles last week at the 15th Annual World Congress of Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT-April 13-15, 2018) in order to rapidly introduce new diagnostics and therapeutics for neurological disorders. This year, the program had 11 keynote speakers including: Drs. Eric Kandel (Nobel Laureate), Deepak Chopra, Walter Copan (Undersecretary for Commerce), Jennifer Fogarty (Chief Scientist NASA Human Research Program), Carl Cotman (professor of Neurology UCI), Rear Admiral Riggs (Director of Research and Development-Defense Health Agency), Kyu Rhee (Chief Medical Office of IBM Watson Health), Jeremy Richman (Avielle Foundation), Warren Boling (SBMT President 2017-2018, Chair of Neurosurgery, LLU), Cartier Esham (Executive Vice President for Emerging Companies at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), and Congressman Ted Lieu. “This year, we focused our program on innovation, translation, integration, and commercialization of neuro-technologies to advance therapeutics for our patients” said, Dr. Vicky Yamamoto, Executive Director of SBMT and a member of the Executive Board of BMF and SBMT, and a cancer scientist at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at USC-Keck School of Medicine. The convention had 400 world-renowned scientists as invited speakers covering latest diagnostics and therapeutics platforms for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, brain cancer, military medicine (PTSD, Traumatic Brain and Spine Injury, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.…), gene therapy, neuro-vascular disorders, radiation oncology, NeuroEngineering, stroke, epilepsy, multimodality imaging, and spinal disorders including a practical cadaver lab supported by Globus Medical and Marksman Instrument. UCLA Anderson School of Management faculty, George Abe, Professor and Director of the Strategic Management Research Program at UCLA Anderson School of Management and Tom Oser collaborated with Brain Mapping Foundation Brain Technology and Innovation Park (BTIP) and held series of sessions on Commercialization of Neuro-Technologies. “SBMT has made great impacts in the field scientifically not only through cross pollination of ideas and disciplines but also through enabling scientists to take their innovation to market.” Dr. Tom Oser, Visiting Professor of Management of Technology & Innovation at UCLA Anderson School of Management. “SBMT is an unparalleled network of experts, entrepreneurs, non-profit and government segments, that all appear to be intent on accelerating the adoption of neuroscience solutions,” he continued. The Brain Technology & Innovation Park (BTIP) is aimed at fostering global partnership amongst biotechnology parks, NASA, US Federal and national labs, industry, academic institutions, non-profit and venture philanthropy organizations in order to rapidly introduce diagnostics and therapeutics for neurological disorders. The BTIP Initiative will be facilitating commercialization of neuro-technologies through necessary funded research and product development phases. Members of the BTIP could additionally participate in our various symposium and workshops at the annual meetings of SBMT in Los Angeles. “BMF is committed to make Los Angeles the capital of the world for brain and neurotechnology in general; we are honored to have such amazing luminaries as our keynotes and honored to award pioneers in the field including Drs. Kandel, Nikias, Federoff and Congressman Ted Lieu”, said, Dr. Babak Kateb, Chairman of the Board and CEO of SBMT, President of BMF and Director of Brain Technology and Innovation Park (BTIP). Three screenings of an award-winning documentary on epilepsy, Brainstorm, were aired at the SBMT World Congress, and discussions were held on the topic by leading experts Drs. Warren Boling (LLU) and Dawn Eliashiv (UCLA). The documentary was produced by Ms. Stacia Kalinowski who had documented her own struggle with epilepsy; this documentary was well received by epilepsy patients and their families and caregivers. “SBMT is not only focused on advancing the science in the field but also insuring epilepsy patients access to the latest clinical trials and therapeutics available through our collaborating centers of excellence” Dr. Dawn Eliashiv, a member of the board of SBMT, Professor of Neurology and Co-director of the UCLA Seizure Disorder Center. SBMT’s slogan is “breaking boundaries of science, medicine, technology, art, and healthcare policy”. This year, the foundation awarded many outstanding individuals including C. L. Max Nikias, USC President with Humanitarian Award for his global contributions to science, technology, art, and policy. “I congratulate Dr. Max Nikias for this great honor, applaud and support amazing work done by the Brain Mapping Foundation including many of their initiatives” said Ming Hsieh, Founder and CEO of Fulgent Genetics, Inc., a member of the USC Board of Trustee and 2013 recipient of the BMF-SBMT Humanitarian award. The 2018 award winners were: USC President Dr. C. L. Max Nikias, recipient of the Humanitarian Award; Dr. Jeremy Richman, recipient of the Beacon of Courage and Dedication Award; Nobel Laureate Dr. Eric Richard Kandel, Former UCI Vice Chancellor Dr. Howard Federoff and Dr. Jonathan Kipnis, recipients of the Pioneer in Medicine Award; US Congressman Ted W. Lieu, recipient of the Pioneer in Healthcare Policy Award; United Neuroscience Co-founder Lou Reese, United Neuroscience Co-Founder Mei Mei Hu, United Neuroscience Co-Founder Dr. Chang Yi Wang and Dr. Bahram Jalali, recipients of the Pioneer in Technology Award; Dr. Warren Boling, recipient of the Golden Axon Leadership Award; and Drs. Dong Song and Wonhye Lee, recipients of the Young Investigator Award. “We continue to grow over the last 15 years and expand the outreach of the foundation beyond helping the wounded soldiers and veterans in order to impact soldiers, veterans and civilians with neurological disorders, spine disorders, and injuries, and they are critical to our mission,” said, Dr. Ken Green, Ret. US Navy Commander, Vice President of Brain Mapping Foundation, and a member of the executive board of SBMT. The 2018 event was supported by: Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, NIH, NASA/International Space Station, United Neuroscience, Bedside Viewer, Institute for Nerve Medicine/ Neurography, French Telethon, Eisai Pharmaceutical, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc, IBM Watson Health, Medtronic Inc, Stryker, Globus Medical, Siemens, AML-Hong Kong, Olympus, Ad-Tech, Ricoh, Marksman, Fulgent Genetics, Neural Analytics and many more biotech and startups. 2019 World Brain and Spine Mapping and Therapeutics will be held at the LA Convention Center along with the world’s first World BRAIN EXPO on March 15-17th 2019. “2019 World Congress of Brain Mapping & Therapeutics will also include significant innovation in spine diagnostics and therapeutics” said, Dr. Jeffrey Wang, Co-director of USC Spine Center, Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery and Neurosurgery (Clinical Scholar), and the 16th President of SBMT and a member of the Executive board of SBMT. About SBMT: www.WorldBrainMapping.Org About BMF: www.BrainMappingFoundation.Org Media Contacts: Dr. Ken Green Ken.Green@WorldBrainMapping.Org 202.577.5105 SOURCE Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics Related Links https://www.worldbrainmapping.org
Nikias honor reflects USC’s investment in brain mapping, bioscience
The university’s president receives the Humanitarian Award of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics USC President C. L. Max Nikias was honored April 14 with the Humanitarian Award of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics. The award is presented to physicians and scientists who have made significant contributions to survival and quality of life of patients across the globe. “It’s a tremendous honor to accept this award on behalf of the university,” said Nikias, emphasizing the priority USC has given to this important discipline. We have made significant investments and multidisciplinary appointments to advance our capabilities in brain mapping, neuroscience and the biosciences more broadly. C. L. Max Nikias “Because of the potential to improve the lives of so many people around the world, we have made significant investments and multidisciplinary appointments to advance our capabilities in brain mapping, neuroscience and the biosciences more broadly.” Leader in brain mapping USC has emerged as a leader in brain mapping, a field that straddles biological science and engineering and brings improved measurements to clinical treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and autism. The field’s leading researchers like Paul Thompson and Arthur Toga make their home at the USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute and its Laboratory of Neuro Imaging. Among the researchers’ projects is the ENIGMA network, the largest brain-mapping project in the world. Harvard University radiologist and leading imaging expert Bruce Rosen once described Toga and Thompson’s group as “the world’s premier lab when it comes to finding insights about the brain in massive amounts of data from scans and genetic tests.” USC’s investment in the field also includes creating the Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute of the Keck School of Medicine of USC as leading Alzheimer’s researcher Paul Aisen came to the university. Aisen and his staff have enrolled more than 1,000 people in international clinical trials and are still seeking more participants. And in November, the university debuted Michelson Hall and the Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, a multidisciplinary center that brings scientists from all over the campus — the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and the Keck School of Medicine — to solve the world’s most pressing health problems. Nikias receives award, praises USC’s priorities “This recognition is a testament to the advances USC has already made, and the trajectory the university is on, to be a global leader in these disciplines in the decades to come,” Nikias said. The Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics honors pioneers in brain mapping at its gala each year. This year’s event was held at the Millennium Biltmore hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. In addition to Nikias, the list of honorees included Nobel laureate Eric Kandel and U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu. “We have many university presidents and distinguished individuals who were nominated, but Dr. Nikias was the finest candidate because he is a Renaissance man who has impacted humanity through significant contributions to medicine, science, technology, art and policy,” said Babak Kateb, chairman and CEO of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics. “Our global strategy is to break the boundaries of science, technology, medicine, art and healthcare policy, and Max has clearly achieved that.” More stories about: Alzheimer’s Disease, Awards, Biotech, C. L. Max Nikias
LLU neurosurgery professor, chair honored with Golden Axon Award
Warren Boling, MD, professor of neurosurgery, chairman of the department of neurosurgery at Loma Linda University Health, has been honored with the 2018 Golden Axon Award, presented by the Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics and Brain Mapping Foundation. Each year, the organization awards various pioneers in the field of science, technology and medicine. The Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics is a non-profit biomedical association focused on brain mapping and intra-operative surgical planning. According to the society, brain mapping is defined as the study of the anatomy and function of the brain and spinal cord through the use of imaging, immunohistochemistry, molecular and optogenetics, stem cell and cellular biology, engineering, neurophysiology and nanotechnology. The Golden Axon Award was named for the neuron cell fiber that carries outgoing messages to other target cells. The award recognizes a highly regarded individual who helps raise awareness for the SBMT and its mission to serve the community. “The Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics is a unique and valuable organization that brings the highest level of scientists, researchers and clinicians together to collaborate and improve the care of our patients with neurological diseases,” Boling said. Boling also proudly serves as the new president of the Society of Brain Mapping & Therapeutics. The Golden Axon Award will be presented to Boling on Saturday, April 14 during the Brain Mapping Foundation Gala at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.