Neuromodulation

Overview

Neuromodulation is the altering / modulation of nervous system function by means of implantable devices or neural prostheses. It includes peripheral nerve, spinal cord and brain electrical stimulation, as well as drug delivery devices. We treat many conditions including movement disorders, epilepsy, pain, angina, headache, spasticity, urinary incontinence, and gastroparesis. Therefore Neuromodulation involves all divisions within the Department of Clinical Neurosciences as well as specialists from several other disciplines. 

 

Members

(executive committee members in bold)

• Neurosurgery: Drs. Walter Hader, Mark Hamilton, Zelma Kiss (Medical Director)
• Neurology: Drs. Werner Becker, Scott Kraft, Neelan Pillay, Oksana Suchowersky, Sam Wiebe
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Drs. Sean Dukelow, Dan McGowan, Noorshina Virani
• Anaesthesia: Drs. Darryl Guglielmin, Geoffrey Hawboldt, Chris Spanswick (Chronic Pain Centre), Dr. Peter Farran (ACH)
• Urogynecology: Dr. Magali Robert
• Cardiology: Dr. Jim Stone
• Gastroenterology: Drs. Christopher Andrews, Phil Mitchell
• Psychology: Drs. Angela Haffenden, Michael King, Paul Taenzer
• Psychiatry: Drs. Jeremy Quickfall, Raj Ramasubbu
• Nursing: Susan Anderson (Chair of Nursing Group), Marlene Blackman, Thea Dupras, Colleen Harris, Karen Hunka, Tracy Hyndman, Jackie Martini, Grace Neustaedter, Christine O'Leary, Valerie Sherwood, Tammy Still, Angela Tse, Robyn Warwaruk
• Research: Drs. Michael Eliasziw, Bin Hu
• Administration: Michael Rigby

 

Research and Educational Activities

• Fellowship in Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery offered
• Laboratory and clinical studies on the mechanisms of action of DBS for cervical dystonia
• Smart neural prosthetics for sensorimotor rehabilitation
• Clinical trials of neuromodulation for new indications, including ongoing trials for headache, epilepsy, specific pain syndromes, and refractory depression
• Brain pathways involved in music, rhythm and movement
• Behavioral outcomes and emotional processing in patients with PD and DBS
• Clinical outcomes of gastric stimulation

For further information see www.ucalgary.ca/~zkiss

 

Information for clinicians, patients and families

Please see www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/programs/rpp/outpatient/chronicpain.htm about pain programs.

 

 

Grant Support

• Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
• Canadian Institutes for Health Research
• Medtronic Inc.

 

 

Updated:  2009-09-03