Neurosurgery @ Northwestern

Novel ‘Feeding’ Mechanism Promotes Glioblastoma Treatment Resistance  - News Center Northwestern Medicine investigators have discovered that specialized immune cells within the glioblastoma tumor microenvironment use a unique “feeding” mechanism that promotes tumor growth and treatment resistance, according to findings published in the journal Cell Metabolism.

More: news.feinberg.northw... #neuroscience

The study, led by Jason Miska, PhD, assistant professor of Neurological Surgery, highlights the critical role of myeloid cells in promoting glioblastoma progression and suggests that targeting these cells may be a promising route for treatment. #neuroscience

Northwestern Medicine investigators have discovered that specialized immune cells within the #glioblastoma tumor microenvironment use a unique “feeding” mechanism that promotes tumor growth and treatment resistance, according to findings published in the journal Cell Metabolism.

Multimodal neuro-nanotechnology: Challenging the existing paradigm in glioblastoma therapy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.... #glioblastoma #immunotherapy #neuronanotechnology

GLUT3 regulates alternative macrophage signaling through a glucose transport–independent role pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih....
#neurosurgery

GLUT3 regulates alternative macrophage signaling through a glucose transport–independent role pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih....
#neurosurgery

Reversible Vagal Nerve Stimulation-Induced Vocal Cord Paralysis and Intractable Neck Pain Following a Syncopal Fall: A Case Report Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is a well-tolerated procedure for patients with medication-resistant and non-focal epilepsy. It does, however, have potential complications (e.g., hoarseness and cough) thought to be from vagus nerve irritation. These arise postoperatively and generally improve without intervention. If these symptoms present later or do not improve, it suggests a more insidious etiology. Herein we report the case of a patient in their 50s with medication-resistant epilepsy, who subsequently underwent VNS electrode array and pulse generator implantation to aid seizure management. Three years after the initial implantation, the patient experienced vocal cord paralysis and neck pain following a syncopal fall. The pain radiated to their jaw and chest and was eliminated when their VNS was turned off. The patient was taken to the OR for removal and replacement of their entire VNS system. Their original electrodes were unable to be removed secondary to being scarred in place. The patient’s preoperative pain symptoms completely resolved after the removal of their old VNS and implantable pulse generator (IPG) and replacement with a new system 14 days postoperatively. While short-term postoperative sequelae and lead fractures/displacements have been reported in the literature, this is the first case to our knowledge of a patient experiencing a likely symptomatic traction injury without displacement of the VNS coils or obvious vagus nerve injury. Furthermore, the removal and replacement of the entire VNS system led to complete relief of their presenting symptoms.

Reversible Vagal Nerve Stimulation-Induced Vocal Cord Paralysis and Intractable Neck Pain Following a Syncopal Fall: A Case Report ow.ly/MATV50QAhgo?ut... #neckpain #neurosurgery #neuroscience

Gene Linked to Glioblastoma Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Immunosuppression - News Center Northwestern Medicine scientists have identified how one gene connects glioblastoma stem cell self-renewal to microglia immunosuppression in glioblastoma, according to a new study published in Nature Immunology.

Gene Linked to Glioblastoma Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Immunosuppression news.feinberg.northw... #glioblastoma #neuroscience

Novel Therapy Extends Survival in Metastatic Cancer Northwestern Medicine identified a novel therapeutic agent that is effective in treating metastatic breast cancer and brain metastases with minimal side effects.

​Northwestern Medicine investigators have identified a novel therapeutic agent that is effective in treating metastatic breast cancer and brain metastases with minimal side effects, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. breakthroughsforphys...

More on the Neuralink implant Chicago's Very Own source for breaking news, weather, sports and entertainment.

More: wgntv.com/video/more... #neurosurgery #brainsurgery

How far has science come in helping people function better and how far off is this technology from becoming an option for people in need? Dr. Chirstopher Ahuja, neurosurgeon at Northwestern Medicine joined the WGN Evening News to offer perspective and more on this.

The potential to link the human brain with a computer is a step closer to reality according to Elon Musk who says his company implanted the Neuralink brain hip into a patient. Other companies are exploring similar devices which could transform lives for those with motor function issues.

Join us for the annual Malnati Brain Tumor Institute Minds Matter gala. This event supports Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. nmgive.donordrive.co... #cancer

Hispanic women still at higher risk for births with neural tube defects after voluntary folic acid fortification The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated folic acid fortification of all enriched cereal grains in 1996, and this regulation resulted in a reduction of neural tube defect (NTD)–affected pregnancies ...

Since that time, the rates of Hispanic births with NTD were not significantly reduced, according to a new study published in the journal Child's Nervous System. medicalxpress.com/ne...

It was not until the year 2016 that the FDA approved voluntary, but not mandatory, folic acid fortification for corn masa flour products in the US to focus on the Hispanic diet staples, such as tortillas.

Hispanic women still at higher risk for births with neural tube defects after voluntary folic acid fortification. Hispanic women in the US continued to be twice as likely to give birth to a child affected by neural tube defect (NTD) compared to non-Hispanic women.

Novel Immune Inhibitor Associated with Glioma Progression  - News Center Northwestern Medicine investigators led by Amy Heimberger, MD, PhD, have discovered a new mechanism in which cancer-associated fibroblasts are associated with tumor grade and mediate immune suppression in glioma tumors.

Novel Immune Inhibitor Associated with Glioma Progression news.feinberg.northw... #glioma

Scientists have recently found a highly accurate way to predict the best treatment for patients with meningioma based on patterns of gene expression in their tumors. In this Better Edge podcast episode, Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD, of Northwestern Medicine Neurological Surgery, discusses an innovativ Gene Expression Profiling to Predict Meningioma Outcomes and Guide Adjuvant Radiotherapy Decisions

Gene Expression Profiling to Predict Meningioma Outcomes and Guide Adjuvant Radiotherapy Decisions youtube.com/watch?v=... #meningioma

Variant allelic frequencies of driver mutations can identify gliomas with potentially false-negative MGMT promoter methylation results - Acta Neuropathologica Communications MGMT promoter methylation testing is required for prognosis and predicting temozolomide response in gliomas. Accurate results depend on sufficient tumor cellularity, but histologic estimates of cellularity are subjective. We sought to determine whether driver mutation variant allelic frequency (VAF) could serve as a more objective metric for cellularity and identify possible false-negative MGMT samples. Among 691 adult-type diffuse gliomas, MGMT promoter methylation was assessed by pyrosequencing (N = 445) or DNA methylation array (N = 246); VAFs of TERT and IDH driver mutations were assessed by next generation sequencing. MGMT results were analyzed in relation to VAF. By pyrosequencing, 56% of all gliomas with driver mutation VAF ≥ 0.325 had MGMT promoter methylation, versus only 37% with VAF < 0.325 (p < 0.0001). The mean MGMT promoter pyrosequencing score was 19.3% for samples with VAF VAF ≥ 0.325, versus 12.7% for samples with VAF < 0.325 (p < 0.0001). Optimal VAF cutoffs differed among glioma subtypes (IDH wildtype glioblastoma: 0.12–0.18, IDH mutant astrocytoma: ~0.33, IDH mutant and 1p/19q co-deleted oligodendroglioma: 0.3–0.4). Methylation array was more sensitive for MGMT promoter methylation at lower VAFs than pyrosequencing. Microscopic examination tended to overestimate tumor cellularity when VAF was low. Re-testing low-VAF cases with methylation array and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) confirmed that a subset of them had originally been false-negative. We conclude that driver mutation VAF is a useful quality assurance metric when evaluating MGMT promoter methylation tests, as it can help identify possible false-negative cases.

Variant allelic frequencies of driver mutations can identify gliomas with potentially false-negative MGMT promoter methylation results link.springer.com/ar...

More on the Neuralink implant Chicago's Very Own source for breaking news, weather, sports and entertainment.

Dr. Chirstopher Ahuja, neurosurgeon at Northwestern Medicine, joined the WGN Evening News to offer perspective and more on Neuralink. wgntv.com/video/more...

Northwestern Medicine now offering brain tumor surgery at McHenry hospital Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital now offers pituitary tumor resection surgery - going through the nose and nasal cavity to remove pituitary tumors.

Northwestern Medicine now offering brain tumor surgery at McHenry hospital www.shawlocal.com/no...

Can Gene Expression Predict If a Brain Tumor Is Likely to Grow Back? ow.ly/11Fh50Q8Xuc?ut...

Study Identifies Genetic Cause for Some Brain Tumors - News Center Scientists have uncovered a genetic explanation for a subset of common brain tumors, according to a study published in Nature Communications.

Study Identifies Genetic Cause for Some Brain Tumors news.feinberg.northw...

“When we looked at the RNA sequencing data, we found that hedgehog ligand genes IHH and SHH had dramatically increased expression compared to meningiomas that did not have these structural variants, explaining the activation of hedgehog signaling in these cases,” Youngblood said.

Novel Therapy Extends Survival in Metastatic Cancer Northwestern Medicine identified a novel therapeutic agent that is effective in treating metastatic breast cancer and brain metastases with minimal side effects.

Novel Therapy Extends Survival in Metastatic Cancer breakthroughsforphys...

The kynurenine pathway implicated in patient delirium: possible indications for indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase inhibitors www.jci.org/articles...

Clinical Management of Supratentorial Non-Skull Base Meningiomas Supratentorial non-skull base meningiomas are the most common primary central nervous system tumor subtype. An understanding of their pathophysiology, imaging characteristics, and clinical management options will prove of substantial value to the multi-disciplinary team which may be involved in their care. Extensive review of the broad literature on the topic is conducted. Narrowing the scope to meningiomas located in the supratentorial non-skull base anatomic location highlights nuances specific to this tumor subtype. Advances in our understanding of the natural history of the disease and how findings from both molecular pathology and neuroimaging have impacted our understanding are discussed. Clinical management and the rationale underlying specific approaches including observation, surgery, radiation, and investigational systemic therapies is covered in detail. Future directions for probable advances in the near and intermediate term are reviewed.

Meningioma: From Bench to Bedside:
Clinical Management of Supratentorial Non-Skull Base Meningiomas www.mdpi.com/2072-66...

Clinical Management of Supratentorial Non-Skull Base Meningiomas Supratentorial non-skull base meningiomas are the most common primary central nervous system tumor subtype. An understanding of their pathophysiology, imaging characteristics, and clinical management options will prove of substantial value to the multi-disciplinary team which may be involved in their care. Extensive review of the broad literature on the topic is conducted. Narrowing the scope to meningiomas located in the supratentorial non-skull base anatomic location highlights nuances specific to this tumor subtype. Advances in our understanding of the natural history of the disease and how findings from both molecular pathology and neuroimaging have impacted our understanding are discussed. Clinical management and the rationale underlying specific approaches including observation, surgery, radiation, and investigational systemic therapies is covered in detail. Future directions for probable advances in the near and intermediate term are reviewed.

Clinical Management of Supratentorial Non-Skull Base Meningiomas www.mdpi.com/2072-66...

Defining the Future of Neurology and Neurosurgery: Year in Review 2023 Explore Northwestern Medicine's groundbreaking achievements in neurology and neurosurgery, from research breakthroughs to exemplary patient care and prestigious awards.

Northwestern Medicine #Neurology & #Neurosurgery​ Year in Review: 2023 breakthroughsforphys...

International Tuberculum Sellae Meningioma Study: Surgical Outcomes and Management Trends bit.ly/3N1N9f5?utm_s...