Magnetic Stimulation Cited As Possible Rehabilitative Aid At International Conference Magstim TMS Summer School 2008

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Stroke;  Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Article Date: 11 Jun 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The Magstim Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Summer School 2008 presented pioneering research on the theme of Plasticity and Rehabilitation, when it was held at the Institute of Child Health in London on 30th and 31st May.

Researchers in TMS are exploring the ways in which magnetic stimulation can be utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of a number of neurological conditions.

The Summer School, organised in collaboration with Professor Vincent Walsh of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London (UCL), was attended by over 300 registered delegates. The two-day scientific programme saw presentations from 16 eminent international academics and researchers, and there was an opportunity for the upcoming generation of researchers to pose questions to some of the most prominent pioneers in the field.

The event was sponsored by Magstim, specialists in the field of neuromodulation and nerve monitoring, and included an exhibit by "Magstim Innovations", a team involved in advance product development.

Magstim also launched its new tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) device at the event, and previewed new equipment that will be introduced in the coming months.

As part of an ongoing commitment to research, Magstim sponsored two academic prizes at the event. Dr. Marco Davare of UCL won the Magstim Young Investigator Award 2008 for his research into how the brain precisely controls hand movements. The Poster Prize was won by PhD student Niamh Kennedy of Queen's University Belfast for her work on the effect of simultaneous contractions of ipsilateral muscles on changes in corticospinal excitability induced by paired associative stimulation. Both prizes were judged by a panel of leading experts connected with the Summer School, with Dr. Davare and Ms Kennedy winning £500 and £250 respectively.

"The TMS Summer School was a great opportunity to learn the very new techniques for stimulating the brain. It is also an important place in which we can meet and discuss with people directly involved in the same research field," commented Dr Marco Davare after being awarded. "It is also a way for us 'young scientists' to be better known by the research community."

About Magstim

Magstim provides clinicians and researchers with state-of-the-art stimulation and monitoring equipment to facilitate the assessment, protection and improvement in function of the human nervous system, with our expertise focused on applications related to magnetic neurological stimulation and intra-operative nerve monitoring.

Magstim has a reputation for the development, manufacture and distribution of electronic medical devices and has long standing contacts with key opinion leaders within the academic sector. The company has expert knowledge of research techniques; electronics design and production; mechanical design and production, assembly, marketing and sales distribution networks.

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