The Brain Science Foundation

From The Brain Science Foundation pamphlet titled "invest, Learn, inspire":

The Brain Science Foundation is a nonprofit supporting organization of the Department of Nuerosurgery at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. The Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Primary brain tumors, particularly meningiomas, and to advancing the understanding of brain function as it relates to these tumors. The Brain Science Foundation supports basic and clinical research, promising new treatments, and opportunities to improve the quality of patient care.

The Meningioma Initiative
The Meningioma Initiative at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, draws together an internationally known group of neurosurgeons and researchers to focus significant attention on meningiomas. The Meningioma initiative encompasses cutting edge work in the following key areas:
-Clinical practice
-Research
-Teaching/training
-Patient care
-Outreach, communication, and awareness

The Meningioma Initiative is undertaking an exciting research agenda that will open up new pathways to understanding meningiomas. Projects designed to discover the molecular biology of these tumors, to examine the epidemiology of meningiomas, and to explore new treatment options are already underway. The Initiative is equally committed to creating and disseminating accurate information about meningioma to patients, families, and medicl professionals.

"Meningioma remains a neglected tumor partly because it is usually benign, and partly becasue there are no advocates for research. We want to change that." - Dr Peter Black, Neurosurgeon-in-Chief, Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Meningioma - The Neglected Brain Tumor
Meningiomas account for approximately 27% of all primary brain tumors, those tumors that originate in the brain rather then developing from cancer cells in other parts of the body. Although meningiomas represent the largest number of primary brain tumors diagnosed each year, their biology is not well understood.

While most meningiomas are not malignant, they can still cause serious disabilities. Because they can grow anywhere on the outer covering of the brain and spinal cord, meningiomas can affect cognitive, sensory, and motor functions as well as behavior and memory. There is no way to prevent recurrence of these tumors.

Meningiomas...
- Occur most often between the ages of 40 and 70.
- Grow slowly and may not present symptoms until they are quite large.
- Develop more often in women then in men
- Can recur, often as more serious tumors, including malignant tumors.
- Have been linked to radiation exposure, elevated levels of female hormones, and proximity to electromagnetic fields.

At this time, surgery is the most common treatment option for many meningiomas. Improvements in surgical techiniques and the addition of new technology enhancements at all stages of diagnosis and treatment can improve patient outcomes.

For more information or to make a donation:
www.brainsciencefoundation.org
info@brainsciencefoundation.org
266 Main Street
Building 1, Suite 6B
Medfield, MA 02052
508-242-9830