The Meningioma Center of Excellence at The Department of Neurosurgery at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, is the only center dedicated to the research and treatment of meningiomas. Under the leadership of Dr. Peter M. Black, the center has pulled together an internationally renowned group of neurosurgeons and researchers to focus significant attention and resources on the understanding and treatment of meningiomas.
As a joint venture between the Brain Science Foundation, dedicated to fast-forwarding research on meningioma and other primary brain tumors, and The Department of Neurosurgery, the center has already made a major impact on meningioma care at the Brigham. Funding for new patient facilities has allowed the hospital to enhance the neurosurgical outpatient clinic in a significant way.
In October 2005, The Meningioma Center, which houses the Brain Science Foundation Resource Center, opened a new expanded location. Current projects include an epidemiologic study of genetic and environmental risk factors for meningiomas led by Dr. Elizabeth Claus, M.D.,Ph.D.; brain mapping and image guided surgery under Dr. Alexandra Golby, M.D.; laboratory-based studies under Dr. Rona Carroll, Ph.D. to develop new animal models to better understand the molecular biology of these tumors and develop new treatment therapies, such as the slow release of anti-tumor particles and infusion.
This multi-focused approach will lead to better diagnosis and treatment of these tumors, and will eventually yield knowledge to help manage and prevent meningiomas.
