UCSF Launches New Phase of Brain Tumor Vaccine Trial
The UCSF Brain Tumor Research Center initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial of a vaccine to treat glioma. The trial will evaluate survival in patients receiving vitespen vaccination, trademarked as Oncophage.

Neurosurgeon Named to Two National Organizations
Dr. Mitch Berger, UCSF chair of Neurological Surgery, was elected to the board of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and appointed to the American Board of Neurological Surgeons.

Editorial — New UCSF Program Seeks Cause and Cure for Migraines

Neurology Chief Stephen Hauser, M.D., discusses UCSF Medical Center's new comprehensive migraine research and treatment program.

Leading Expert Establishes UCSF Headache Clinic and Research Group

One of the world's leading headache research groups has come to UCSF Medical Center to treat patients and improve the understanding of this debilitating disorder. Peter Goadsby, M.D., Ph.D., DSc, and seven of his colleagues from the University College London and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery are setting up shop at UCSF to look at basic mechanisms of headache and how therapies might treat it.

Dural Fistulas

Dural fistulas are arteriovenous connections typically involving a major dural sinus lying between the skull and the brain. Due to their location, dural fistulas often cause intense and regular headaches. UCSF Medical Center is the world's largest center for diagnosis and treatment of dural fistula.

DBS Therapy for Generalized Dystonia — A Case Study

AO is a 25-year-old female with primary generalized dystonia. The first symptom she noticed was a turning inward of her left foot while walking at 4 years of age. It was determined that AO was an excellent candidate for treatment with deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy. Since surgery, AO was noted to have a 60 percent improvement in her symptoms.

DBS for Dystonia at UCSF

Recently, chronic deep brain electrical stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus, a brain structure that receives the major portion of the output of the basal ganglia, has been shown to be an effective treatment for appropriate patients with generalized dystonia. UCSF Medical Center has the busiest program of surgery for movement disorders in the western United States and is a pioneer in DBS surgery for the treatment of dystonia.

Perfexion — UCSF Acquires Advanced Gamma Knife

UCSF physicians have acquired the most advanced Gamma Knife technology, the Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion, which improves radiosurgery for physicians and patients.

CME Courses

See information on upcoming continuing medical education courses.

Referral Liaison Service

The UCSF Referral Liaison Service provides assistance and information to referring physicians, medical groups and health plans. Please call the Referral Liaison Service or visit www.ucsfhealth.org/healthprofessionals.

Transfer Center

The UCSF Transfer Center is open 24 hours daily to coordinate the transfer of your patients to UCSF Medical Center from hospitals throughout the region.

Click here to subscribe to this newsletter.

To contact UCSF Medical Center, visit www.ucsfhealth.org/contact