Neuromodulation Program

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. Many conditions are treated, including movement disorders, epilepsy, pain, psychiatric disorders, spinal cord injury, and spasticity.

While the implanting physicians are all neurosurgeons, this is an inter-disciplinary program involving neurology, pain, physiatry, psychology, psychiatry, nursing, and physiotherapy. Neurosurgeons include Dr. Fady Girgis (program lead), Dr. Zelma Kiss, Dr. Walter Hader, and Dr. Mark Hamilton.

Over this past year, the Chronic Pain Center has developed an accelerated care pathway to improve access for spinal cord stimulator patients. In addition to clinical work, our program has several research projects underway. This includes a double-blind randomized controlled trial looking at the efficacy of occipital nerve stimulation in the treatment of cluster headache, another double-blind randomized controlled trial looking at the efficacy of different stimulation parameters for spinal cord stimulation, and a clinical trial of spinal cord stimulation to treat autonomic symptoms in patients with complete spinal cord injury. We also implanted the first deep brain stimulator for treatment of epilepsy in Western Canada, the first peripheral nerve stimulators in Alberta, and began a neurophysiology research program in epilepsy patients with implanted brain electrodes. In addition, we are soon beginning a new research program using low-intensity focused ultrasound to non-invasively and reversibly modulate the brain, as an adjunct to our clinical high-intensity focused ultrasound program which is used to lesion the brain.