Epilepsy services consolidated in comprehensive center

Epilepsy services at the School of Medicine have been consolidated and enhanced by the establishment of a new comprehensive Epilepsy Center.

Epileptologist Thomas R. Henry, who was recruited from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, to direct the center, is working with other Emory neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, radiologists, researchers and nurses to offer adults and children with epilepsy advanced diagnostic, medication and surgical options.

Liotta chosen to participate in NIH peer review process

Dennis Liotta, professor and chair of the chemistry department, has been invited to serve as a member of the AIDS and Related Research Study Section 4, Division of Research Grants, for a four-year term which began July 1 and ends June 30, 1999. Members are selected on the basis of their demonstrated competence and achievement in their scientific discipline as evidenced by the quality of research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals and other significant scientific activities, achievements and honors. Study sections review grant applications submitted to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), make recommendations on these applications to the appropriate NIH national advisory council or board, and survey the status of research in their fields of science.

Oyesiku receives grant From Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Nelson M. Oyesiku, assistant professor of neurosurgery in the School of Medicine, has been awarded a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant under the Foundation's Minority Medical Faculty Development Program.

Oyesiku's research focuses on determining what mutations are responsible for pituitary tumors and how they cause these tumors to produce excess hormone and enlarge. He is also working with a new imaging technique (somatostatin receptor imaging) to determine if these tumors carry certain markers that will assist in selecting whether they will respond to a particular kind of medication. This medication also would shrink these tumors and reduce the amount of hormone they produce. Oyesiku will be exploring two new surgical techniques. Currently, he is using sinus endoscopy to assist in the removal of these tumors, and ultrasound to localize very small tumors and to determine the completeness of tumor removal.