New Strategy Used for Prion Diagnosis
A technique to detect prions in brain tissue is more sensitive than procedures currently used, according to a UCSF research team. The finding indicates that conformation-dependent immunoassay (CDI) should be the standard approach.

Brain Tumor Treatment Varies Greatly
Primary malignant brain tumors are uncommon and often associated with a poor prognosis. A new study found that treatment of these tumors varies greatly among medical centers and can conflict with accepted guidelines of care.

Insulin May Determine Alcohol Susceptibility
Drunken fruit flies led to the discovery that insulin may determine susceptibility to alcohol. If confirmed in humans, the UCSF finding suggests a promising way to treat alcoholism using drugs that control insulin.

Brain Processes Sound in Alternate Way
UCSF scientists found that the brains of rats can be trained to learn an alternate mode of processing changes in sound volume. The discovery has potential for the treatment of hearing loss, autism and other sensory disabilities in humans.

Artificial Disc Training

UCSF Medical Center has been designated a training site to teach physicians to install the Charité artificial lumbar disc, which recently gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. It was the first artificial disc to receive FDA approval. Several others are currently in clinical trials.

Dr. Christopher Ames, a neurosurgeon, and Dr. Sigurd Berven, an orthopedic surgeon, are instructing visiting surgeons on implanting the artificial disc.

With an implant, the deteriorating disc is replaced with an artificial disc made of two metallic endplates and a movable high-density polymer center.

"In our clinical studies with artificial discs, we’ve had great results," Ames says. "For the millions of people who have degenerative disc disease and more conservative therapies have not worked, this represents a real breakthrough, with a shorter recovery time and increased mobility and flexibility over fusion."

Ames added that the artificial disc is not appropriate for everyone. The FDA has approved its use in adults up to age 60 who have a single degenerative disc in one of the two lowest lumbar discs and have never had a fusion operation.

Dr. Sigurd Berven can be contacted at (415) 353-2218. Dr. Chris Ames may be contacted at (415) 353-7500.

More information on spine care is available here.

Referral Liaison Service

The Referral Liaison Service offers a communication link and referral coordination for referring physicians, medical groups and health plans. For assistance in the referral process, information about programs and services at UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Children’s Hospital, please call the Referral Liaison Service or visit the "For Health Professionals" section.

Spring 2005 Table of Contents

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