Frontiers in Neurosurgery and Neuromodulation

The University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery will co-sponsor a Frontiers in Neurosurgery and Neuromodulation symposium, September 28-29, presenting and discussing innovations in epilepsy, movement disorders and spasticity care. The symposium is under the direction of Jorge A. González-Martínez, MD, PhD, director of the University of Pittsburgh's Epilepsy and Movement Disorders Program and a world-renowned leader in the care and treatment of epilepsy and movement disorders.

Over the last 20 years, the surgical treatment for patients with epilepsy, movement disorders and spasticity have experienced a dramatic evolution, favoring the improvement of clinical results and safety. In this context, the upcoming neuromodulation field—applied to different neurological conditions—has provided additional treatment alternatives and hope for patients with medically intractable conditions. The Frontiers in Neurosurgery and Neuromodulation symposium, is a focused and practical symposium dedicated to neurologists, general practitioners, mid-level providers, students, surgeons and patients interested in learning and discussing current state-of-the-art treatment methods, as well as the future of the neuromodulation field.

Patients and family members will also get the opportunity to pose questions to our experts during a special 'Patient/Family Discussion' session on Friday from 1-2:30 p.m. There is no charge for patients or family members to attend this session, but space is very limited. Please contact James Burns for more information.

Download the course brochure.

Registration is available through the UPMC Continuing Education website.

Course Location

Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center
100 Lytton Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-682-6200

Course Agenda

(Agenda is subject to change)

Thursday, September 28

7:00 a.m.
Registration Opens

8:00 a.m.
Welcome Address - Introduction
Jorge A. González-Martínez, MD, PhD; Houman Homayoun, MD; Marco Capogrosso, PhD

8:15 a.m.
The Fundamentals of Neuromodulation: From Basic Science to Clinical Application
Marco Capogrosso, PhD

8:45 a.m.
The Spectrum of Neuromodulation: State of Art and Future Directions
Houman Homayoun, MD

9:15 a.m.
Introduction to Movement Disorders Session
Moderator: Houman Homayoun, MD

9:30 a.m.
Neuromodulation for Parkinson Disease: Candidates and Outcome
Valerie Suski, DO

10:00 a.m.
Break

10:15 a.m.
Neuromodulation for Tremor and Dystonia: Candidates and Outcome
Sarah B. Berman, MD, PhD

10:45 a.m.
Neuropsychological Aspects in the Indications for Neruomodulatoin
Luke Henry, PhD

11:15 a.m.
Lunch

12:00 p.m.
Surgical Aspects of Neuromodulation for Movement Disorders
Jorge A. González-Martínez, MD, PhD

12:30 p.m.
The Value of Intraoperative Neurophysiology for Movement Disorders Surgery
Donald Crammond, PhD

1:00 p.m.
Lessons from DBS Programming for Movement Disorders
Jessica Kappel, PA-C/Theodora Constantine, PA-C

1:30 p.m.
Psychiatry: Who are Candidates?
Samantha Sahi, MD

2:00 p.m.
Psychiatry: Surgical Procedures and Results
Jorge A. González-Martínez, MD, PhD

2:30 p.m.
Psychiatry: Future Directions
Khaled Moussawi, MD, PhD

3:00 p.m.
Break

3:30 p.m.
Future Directions in Brain Machine Interface
Jennifer Collinger, PhD

4:00 p.m.
Pain-Surgical: Indications, Procedures and Results
John J. Moossy, MD

4:30 p.m. 
Administrative Challenges in Developing a Neuromodulation Practice
Stacey Lang

5:00 p.m.
Break

6:00 p.m.
Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres

7:00 p.m.
Dinner

Friday, September 29

7:00 a.m.
Registration Opens

7:45 a.m. 
Keynote Lecture 1: Neuromodulation for Stroke Recovery
Elvira Pirondini, PhD

8:45 a.m. 
Keynote Lecture 2: Spinal Cord Stimulation for Motor Recovery
Marco Capogrosso, PhD

9:45 a.m.
Break

10:00 a.m.
Neuromodulation in Epilepsy: Case Presentation
Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, MD

10:30 a.m.
Candidates for Neuromodulation in Epilepsy
Thandar Aung, MD, MS

11:00 a.m.
Modalities of Neuromodulation Applied to Epilepsy
Taylor Abel, MD

11:30 a.m.
Surgical Aspects of Neuromodulation in Epilepsy
Jorge A. González-Martínez, MD, PhD

12:00 p.m.
Seizure Outcomes in Neuromodulation for Epilepsy
Alexandra Urban, MD

12:30 p.m.
Group Discussion and Closing Remarks
Jorge A. González-Martínez, MD, PhD; Houman Homayoun, MD; Marco Capogrosso, PhD

1:00 p.m.
Patients and Family Session/Roundtable Discussion with Patients and Family
Wyndham Bridges Restaurant and Lounge
(Space is very limited. Please contact James Burns for more information.)

2:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Stacey Lang

Tuition Information

General Registration
Full Price Admission (Physicians/Faculty/Administration): $300        
APP/RN/Providers/Students/Residents: $150        
First Responders/Volunteers: $0

Registration for the course can be made through the UPMC Continuing Education website.

Cointinuing Education Credit

This activity is approved for the following credit: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, ANCC, and AAPA Category 1 CME. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations may be made by e-mail. A confirmation of completion must be received by attendee in order for registration cancellation to be considered completed.  For a full refund, request for cancellation must be e-mailed to burnsjd@upmc.edu by September 8, 2023. Any cancellation made after that date will not be eligible for any type of refund. 

Questions and More Information

For additional course information, please contact Dr. González-Martínez at (412) 647-3685 or gonzalezmartinezja@upmc.edu.