Latest news with #neurological
Zawya
15 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
Vinmec Central Park Performs Vietnam's First SEEG using AutoGuide Robotic Guidance System for a child diagnosed from refractory epilepsy
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 July 2025 – A major breakthrough in Vietnam's neurological treatment was recently achieved as doctors at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital successfully performed surgery on a 9-year-old boy with drug-resistant epilepsy, utilizing the AutoGuide™ robotic Guidance system for SEEG implantation. This marks the first time in Vietnam that robotic guidance has been used in pediatric epilepsy surgery, — a milestone that opens new possibilities for safer, less invasive, and highly precise treatment options for vulnerable patients. The case also highlights Vietnam's progress in approaching global standards in advanced epilepsy care. A 5-Year Search for Seizure-Free Sleep The patient, B.Q.K. (age 9, from Hanoi), began experiencing seizures in 2021. Despite various treatment regimens and adjustments both domestically and abroad, his condition failed to improve - sometimes experiencing dozens of seizures per day. For nearly five years, his family sought treatment at numerous medical centers in the hope of giving their child a peaceful night's sleep without seizures. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 30% of epilepsy patients are drug-resistant (1), meaning they do not respond to medication. For these patients, surgery resection of the epileptic zone is often the most effective option. However, accurately localizing the epileptogenic zone - especially in children - is extremely challenging when scalp EEG, MRI, or PET scans provide inconclusive findings. SEEG and AutoGuide: A Technological Duo to Precisely Locate the "Culprit" in the Brain Following a thorough multidisciplinary evaluation, doctors at Vinmec Central Park decided to use AutoGuide™ robotic navigation system to perform stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) to accurately identify the epileptic zone. The robotic guidance ensured high accuracy, faster operative time, and reduced trauma to the brain. After seven days of SEEG monitoring, the epileptogenic zone was localized in the right orbitofrontal cortex and inferior frontal gyrus—areas densely packed with neural pathways and blood vessels. On June 17, 2025, the epileptic zone removal was performed by Dr. Truong Van Tri and his team at Vinmec Central Park, with technical support from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shunsuke Nakae, an epilepsy specialist from Japan. The surgery was successful, with no postoperative neurological deficits. After more than one month of recovery, the patient resumed normal activities and play, with only two minor nocturnal seizures recorded - a reduction of over 95% compared to preoperative frequency. " For the first time, we achieved near-perfect outcome in pediatric epilepsy surgery thanks to AutoGuide™. This is a critical milestone, especially for young patients who are highly vulnerable to major brain surgery," said Dr. Tri. Vinmec: Advancing Neurology with Technology and International Integration This successful case exemplifies Vinmec's strategy to build centers of medical excellence through the integration of advanced technology, multidisciplinary expertise, and individualized treatment protocols. Vinmec has been ranked as the No.1 private hospital system in Vietnam for expatriates and international visitors, according to independent patient satisfaction surveys. Vinmec Central Park is currently one of the few healthcare facilities in Vietnam, placing Vietnam among the few countries in Asia to master this technique—narrowing the gap with global neurology leaders. (1) Hashtag: #Vinmec The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Vinmec Health System Vinmec is a nonprofit healthcare system founded by Vingroup, one of Vietnam's largest private conglomerates. With 9 international hospitals and 4 international clinics nationwide, Vinmec is committed to delivering international-standard healthcare through subspecialized care, personalized treatment, and cutting-edge medical technology. Vinmec Central Park in Ho Chi Minh City is the flagship hospital in the network and has been widely recognized as the top private hospital in Vietnam for expatriates and international patients, serving tens of thousands annually. The hospital excels across several specialties: Neurosurgery & Epilepsy: SEEG, robotic-guided surgery, brain tumor resection Oncology – Orthopedic Surgery – Cardiology – Advanced Obstetrics & Gynecology Allergy & Clinical Immunology: Vietnam's first and only center recognized as a Center of Excellence by the World Allergy Organization (WAO), in close partnership with Cleveland Clinic (USA) to develop precision medicine and chronic disease management programs 3D Medical Technology: Pioneer in 3D-printed titanium implants for complex orthopedic oncology reconstructions Vinmec
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Fit and healthy father-of-two left with 'locked-in syndrome' after suffering devastating health condition which is on the rise in under 50s
A previously fit-and-healthy dad was left 'locked in his body' after a headache turned out to be a life-altering stroke. In April 2022, Gareth Bayley, from Bexley in South East London suffered from headaches for around a week, but shrugged them off as being caused by every day stress. But, when the builder suddenly called his wife Karen to say he didn't feel well while at work, she knew something was wrong. She rushed to his workplace where his colleagues told her he had collapsed and suffered a fit. He was rushed to hospital where he continued to have seizures, but it wasn't until the next day that doctors realised he'd had a stroke. Mr Bayley, who was only 38-years-old at the time, suffered a stroke in his brain stem, which meant it had life-altering consequences. It led him to develop Locked-In Syndrome, a rare neurological condition that leaves a patient almost completely paralysed while remaining fully conscious. Despite doctors telling the family the father would likely never move again, his wife says over three years later, he 'has defied every single expectation'. While he cannot speak or move his limbs, he remains mentally alert—and has regained small but significant functions such as facial expressions. He even communicates with his family through blinking, spelling out words one letter at a time. Now, his wife and the kids are on a mission to raise £35,000 for life-changing equipment—that could help Gareth regain vital movement. She said: 'Gareth is one in a million to me. He's very outgoing and the life and soul of the party. He was the first one there if anyone needed help. 'He is still him—he's fully there and remembers everything. It's just he can't speak or move. 'It's like he's trapped in his own body. Doctors told us he would likely never move again, apart from slight eye movements. 'But Gareth is a fighter. Over the past three years, he has regained some movement: he smiles, he laughs, and his expressions have returned in ways we were told might never happen. 'Every small step forward has given us hope that more recovery is possible.' The family are even more hopeful as of late after hearing about a special piece of equipment called a Functional Electrical Stimulation Bike. This is a rehabilitation device that uses electrical pulses to stimulate paralysed muscles and could enable Gareth's arms and legs to move together However, it can only be sourced from the United States—and comes with a hefty price tag of £35,000. She added: 'We did try to get it funded as he is in a care home, but because it was so expensive, the funding got refused as it wasn't deemed an 'essential piece of equipment'. 'But to us it is essential. If I can get him this bike it will be amazing. 'It would help increase his muscle strength, prevent pressure sores, improve the movement range with his arms and legs, help his joint mobility, and help his muscle spasms. 'It could give Gareth the best possible chance at further recovery, independence, and dignity. Since his stroke, Gareth has been moved between hospitals, rehab centres, and care homes. But his wife hopes he can live with her and the children again if they secure the bike. She said: 'My husband has expressed that he wants to come home and be with me and the children again. But it's the case of getting the equipment. 'He has physio once a week in his care home and they've said if we can get the equipment, I can have training. The goal is then to have him back home again.' His wife described the public's response to the father's story as overwhelmingly supportive. The devoted wife said: 'It's been amazing. The response I've had from it has been fantastic. 'It's a little overwhelming—people who don't even know me or my husband have donated money and been so generous. 'It's been completely life-changing – he was 38 and I didn't associate a stroke with someone that age. 'But you don't know what can happen overnight, it's turned our world upside down.' It comes amid a surge in stroke cases among young people, with those under 55 seeing cases soar by 67 per cent between 2002 and 2018. Some experts believe may be due to younger people vaping, drinking alcohol and smoking weed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Neurocrine Biosciences Grows Pipeline While Maintaining Steady Investor Confidence
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX) is one of the . Following the update on its ongoing clinical study, analysts are maintaining a Buy rating while raising the price target. A healthcare professional discussing treatment options for a patient with a neurological disorder. Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX) develops therapies targeting neurological, neuroendocrine, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Operating from its headquarters in California, the company gained U.S. approval for valbenazine (Ingrezza®) for tardive dyskinesia and markets treatments for Huntington's chorea, adrenal hyperplasia, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. The company's comprehensive pipeline includes treatments for Parkinson's, Tourette's, and novel agents like NBI‑1117568 in schizophrenia trials. Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX) announced the termination of its Phase 2 study on NBI-921352, an investigational drug, as of July 14, 2025. The company, with its tests, aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the drug when used alongside other treatments for patients with SCN8A-DEE, a rare and severe neurological disorder. Phase 2 of the study involved assessing the drug's ability to reduce seizure frequency in patients with SCN8A-DEE. As it failed to show a meaningful reduction, the study was terminated. The company's lead candidates continue to be crinecerfont for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and NBI-1117568, a potential treatment for psychosis and cognitive disorders. Later, on July 21, 2025, Truist initiated coverage of the stock with a Buy rating and a price target of $163. On the other hand, Morgan Stanley, while maintaining the Buy rating, has raised the price target from $148 to $150. Despite the trial setback, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX) continues to show strong growth prospects with a 33.73% projected EPS increase and a low beta of 0.25. While we acknowledge the potential of NBIX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Metal Stocks with Insider Buying in 2025 and 10 Energy Stocks with Insider Buying in 2025 Disclosure. None. Sign in to access your portfolio
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Migraine by Samuel Fisher: A world of pain
Migraine Author : Samuel Fisher ISBN-13 : 978-1472158284 Publisher : Corsair Guideline Price : £16.99 ''I always get this way after a migraine. Mood swings. Excitable, euphoric even. Then I have to piss. A huge amount. Then I get depressed.'' Extreme weather conditions have precipitated a mass-disabling event. Following a decade of snow, a thaw has occurred, accompanied by storms and barometric changes, that have led to an epidemic of migraine. Society has reordered to adjust to this new world, and Ellis's ex-girlfriend, a viral migraine-artist, has reaped the benefit. Ellis, on the other hand, was one of few Londoners not to experience migraine; a source of mutual tension. However, the onset of his first attack precipitates a period of postdromal soul-searching, and a psychogeographic quest to win back his woman. Fisher has made a wise choice in exploring migraine by means of climate collapse. In so doing, the author captures the archetypal nature of the neurological condition that swells, peaks and descends with the energy of a storm. His descriptions of migraine are lyrical, and wisely move beyond the narrow representation of migraine as solely a pain disorder, to instead encompass the 'wild affective states' or 'visual and haptic hallucinations', known commonly as migraine 'aura'. READ MORE 'There was a giddiness, buffeted by a rising panic, as the lights – are they lights? Or absences banded with light – whirled in my periphery.' Most impressive is Fisher's ability to transmute the uncanny energy of a migraine attack to the page through his disorientating prose. It is this same disorientating effect, however, that presents a challenge to other elements of the novel. Marketing material suggests that Migraine explores what a society might look like if chronic pain were the norm. However, by the end of the book, Fisher's vision for such a society remains fuzzy, a paradox between the uncanny 'aura' of this world, and the affirming language he uses to describe it. Were this novel to be adapted for screen, I cannot envisage how the world may look. Migraine concludes with a poignant reflection upon the ability of illness to open pathways to vulnerability that can serve to enrich the lives of the sick and those around them. It is affecting, as is much of Fisher's prose. However, if the neurological condition is not a subject of interest, the reader may find Migraine to be, ultimately, an unsatisfying experience.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
This Handwriting Change May Be An Early Sign Of Parkinson's
Parkinson's disease, the condition Ozzy Osborne was diagnosed with roughly five years before his death, affects about 153,000 people in the UK at the moment. It is a progressive neurological disease. While there is no single, outright cure for it yet, the NHS says therapies like medication and physiotherapy can minimise its symptoms for many. But sadly, the condition is often misdiagnosed, even though early diagnosis can be very beneficial. That's why organisations like Parkinson's UK champion better, earlier diagnoses, and hope one day for a single test that can accurately spot the disease as soon as possible. In the meantime, however, they've shared early signs of the condition; one of which involves changes to your handwriting. How is handwriting linked to Parkinson's? Parkinson's UK says that noticing smaller handwriting over time is one potential early sign. This is called micrographia, and could affect as many as 50-60% of people living with Parkinson's, though the numbers are not settled. 'You may notice the way you write words on a page has changed, such as letter sizes are smaller and the words are crowded together,' the charity shared. A 2022 paper suggested that the handwriting change may precede other motor symptoms of Parkinson's, like tremors. Parkinson's is not the only cause of handwriting changes – it's been linked to other neurological changes, while Parkinson's UK says 'writing can change as you get older, if you have stiff hands or fingers or poor vision' – but it may be worth seeing your doctor about it, especially if it comes with other symptoms. What are the other early symptoms of Parkinson's? According to Parkinson's UK, having a single early symptom doesn't mean you've got the disorder. But 'if you have more than one sign, you should consider making an appointment to talk to your doctor,' they wrote. Aside from micographia, the other possible symptoms they listed were: Tremors. Shaking in your finger, thumb, hand, or chin while at rest is a common early symptom. Loss of smell, especially for strongly-scented foods like bananas, liquorice, and gherkins. Moving a lot in your sleep, especially if you start acting out your dreams or thrashing around a lot. Trouble with movement or walking. You might find your arms don't swing as much as they used to when you walk, that your limbs or stiff, that your shoulders of hips feel tight, or that your feet feel 'stuck to the floor.' Constipation. This can be normal, but it can persist with Parkinson's. Developing a soft, low voice that others might describe as hoarse or breathy and which might sound quieter than usual. 'Facial masking,′ or a sad or angry expression on your face that happens regardless of your mood. Dizziness or fainting, for instance, when getting up out of a chair – this can be linked to low blood pressure, which is associated with Parkinson's. Stooping or hunching over, especially if this is new for you. Related... 'Super Smeller' Inspires Test To Spot Parkinson's 7 Years Before Diagnosis Gut Health Discovery Could Help Future Parkinson's Diagnoses Parkinson's Cases Are Set To Double By 2050. Here Are 5 Early Signs To Watch For
