Community-Based Deep Stimulation Program Launches in Aventura

Functional Neurosurgery Fellowship Trained Surgeon works Closely with
South Florida Neurologists to Identify and Treat Movement Disorder Patients

AVENTURA, FL (February 24, 2010) - Santiago Figuereo, M.D., a board certified neurological surgeon and medical director of the Miami Neurological Institute (www.miamini.com), today announced the launch of a deep brain stimulation (DBS) program in Aventura.

DBS is an advanced surgical technique used by specialty-trained neurological surgeons to treat patients with movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. DBS surgery involves placing a thin metal electrode into one of several possible brain targets and attaching it to a computerized pulse generator, which is implanted under the skin in the chest.

"While DBS is not a cure, it offers hope to movement disorder patients to better control involuntary movements for controlled symptoms," said Dr. Figuereo, who is one of the few Functional Neurosurgery fellowship-trained neurosurgeons in Florida and is highly skilled in the surgical management of movement disorders. "Many people report feeling as though their life clocks have been turned back after DBS."

As part of the DBS program, Dr. Figuereo will collaborate with South Florida neurologists to identify candidates who are most likely to benefit from DBS. When identifying a Parkinson's disease patient for DBS, for example, it is important that the neurologist and neurological surgeon work together early in the diagnosis to project the best future timeframe for treatment. The best time is neither at the onset of Parkinson's disease nor after all medication dosages and combinations have stopped working. The ideal DBS candidate will:

• Be 70 or younger;
• Responding to prescription medication at least for short periods but still having difficulties controlling or initiating movements;
• Be in good general health;
• Have normal intellectual and memory function for his or her age; and
• Currently require medication more than three times a day to remain "on."

Post-surgery, MNI's specialty trained staff works with referring neurologists both remotely and at their practice location to monitor, connect, and adjust the patient's device to alter the intensity of stimulation and continually improve control of symptoms.

There are no cures for movement disorders, and there are no current treatments available to slow or stop the progression. Combined treatment approaches - lifestyle modifications, physical and speech therapy, medication, and neurostimulator implants - are widely used and are shown to help reduce troubling symptoms.

The most common treatments for movement disorders are prescription medications that elevate the levels of dopamine in the brain to improve motor functions. Well-managed drug therapies can help many patients maintain a good quality of life. However, when medication adjustments do not improve mobility, or when medications cause significant side effects, surgical treatment may be reasonable consideration.

For more information on Miami Neurological Institute's DBS program, please call 786-623-2000 or visit www.miamini.com.

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About Miami Neurological Institute

Located in Aventura, Fla., Miami Neurological Institute offers minimally invasive, state-of-the-art procedures for disorders of the brain and spine. The Institute's founder and medical director, Santiago Figuereo, M.D., is a board certified neurological surgeon who brings unique techniques to the region, including craniotomy with hair preservation, minimally invasive spinal discectomy, and minimally invasive endoscopic techniques for intracranial, skull base, and pituitary tumors. He is highly skilled in the surgical management of movement disorders, including deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease and surgical procedures for epilepsy.

Prior to arriving in South Florida, Dr. Figuereo served as standing faculty and assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Neurosurgery Division Chief at the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Dr. Figuereo studied general surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia and his neurological surgery residency was completed at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He completed a neurosurgery fellowship at the University of Washington and a fellowship in functional neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit www.miamini.com or call (786) 623-2000.

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