Program Faculty:
Neurosurgery

Aviva Abosch, MD, PhDProgram Director
Neurology
Movement Disorders
Epilepsy
Psychiatry
Overview
The
University of Colorado Fellowship in Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
is designed to train board-eligible neurosurgeons to establish independently a
successful program in this subspecialty, either in academic or nonacademic
settings. The emphasis is on stereotactic surgery for movement disorders and
neuropsychiatric conditions and surgery for epilepsy.
The
fellow will achieve competence in the following specific areas:
1.)
Use of MRI for image-based target
localization for surgery of the thalamus, subthalamic nucleus, globus pallidus
internus, ventral capsule/ventral striatum, pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), as
well as epilepsy-generating targets such as the hippocampus.
2.)
Use of microelectrode recording
techniques for physiological localization in the thalamus, subthalamic nucleus,
globus pallidus internus, ventral capsule/ventral striatum, and PPN.
3.)
Intraoperative testing of DBS electrodes
prior to internalization of the electrodes
4.)
Placement of DBS hardware and
management of hardware-related complications
5.)
Indications for surgery, and
preoperative neurologic evaluation, in patients with Parkinson’s disease,
dystonia, tremor, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), intractable headache
disorders (migraine or cluster headache), and epilepsy.
6.)
Programming of DBS devices
7.)
Pathophysiology of the basal ganglia in
movement disorders, and theoretical basis for lesioning and chronic electrical
stimulation in movement disorders and epilepsy.
8.)
Become familiar with the major
publications in the field of movement disorders, OCD, and epilepsy surgery
9.)
The fellow will understand basic
elements of clinical trials design. Additional learning objectives in pain, and
radiosurgery may be added as desired.
10.) Become
acquainted with novel technologies in the field.
Our
goal is to ensure that each fellow has the necessary skills and resources to
launch a successful career in academic neurosurgery, with a focus on Stereotactic
and Functional Neurosurgery. To ensure attainment of this goal, mentorship will
be provided to assist the fellow in the following research-related activities:
•
Identification and refinement of
meaningful and answerable research questions, and review of relevant literature
•
Identification of appropriate
collaborators
•
Study design, including statistical
analysis
•
IRB approval process for human subjects
research
•
Data collection and analysis
•
Abstract preparation and submission
•
Research and clinical presentations at
national and international forums
•
Manuscript preparation, submission, and
publication
Additionally,
fellows will have full access to research resources within the Department of
Neurosurgery, including the Departmental Editor, Clinical Trials Coordinator,
Grants and Contracts Coordinator, Database Developer, and Biostatistician, as
needed. Fellows will be provided with a computer workstation in the Department,
for research and manuscript preparation and submission, as well as access to the
Neuromodulation Subject Research Database.
For more information please contact Aviva Abosch,
MD, PhD and include: 1) CV; 2) Fellowship goals; 3) Career goals beyond
fellowship training; and 4) 3 letters of recommendation.
Aviva.Abosch@UCDenver.edu
Good
luck and thank you for your interest in our Fellowship Program in Stereotactic
and Functional Neurosurgery.