ADVANCING SCIENCE AND CLINICAL CARE IN NEUROSCIENCES
2024: A YEAR IN REVIEW

As we reflect on the remarkable achievements and breakthroughs of 2024, we are proud to share some of the most compelling stories from Northwestern Medicine Neurology and Neurosurgery. From first-in-human treatments for glioblastoma to new insights into long COVID's neurologic impacts, these highlights exemplify our commitment to innovation and exceptional patient care.

RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGHS​

Drug Reprograms Immune Responses to Target Glioblastoma
Investigators have discovered that using a novel drug to target the STING pathway in glioblastoma reprogrammed previously suppressed immune responses. The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation and co-led by Amy B. Heimberger, MD, PhD. ​Click here for more 2024 updates from the Malnati Brain Tumor Institute (MBTI).
Improving Diagnosis and Tracking of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Investigators led by Tanya Simuni, MD, have defined biologic and clinical biomarkers for better identifying patients with different stages of Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, per a recent study published in NPJ Parkinson’s Disease. Until recently, there was no framework to define either disease prior to symptom onset.
Vital Language Sites in the Brain Act Like Connectors in a Social Network
A Northwestern Medicine study published in Nature Communications may better inform decisions about which brain areas to preserve during surgery, thereby potentially improving patients’ language function after brain surgery. Jason K. Hsieh, MD, Joshua M. Rosenow, MD, and Matthew C. Tate, MD, PhD, were among the study authors.
Long COVID’s Brain Fog Persists for Up to 3 Years
A recent study, led by Igor Koralnik, MD, found that more than 60% of people who had long COVID have neurological symptoms that impact their cognitive function and quality of life, even two and three years after COVID-19 onset.
Molecular Profiling May Improve Meningioma Decision-Making
Investigators have demonstrated how molecular profiling tumors can help predict treatment response and survival in patients with meningiomas, according to a recent study published in Nature Medicine. Craig Horbinski, MD, PhD, was a co-author of the study.
Little-Studied RNA Might Be Key to Regulating Genetic Disorders
In research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, scientists at Northwestern Medicine and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have discovered an RNA that controls how much or how little protein is produced by a gene, with implications for neurodevelopmental disorders like epilepsy and autism.
Mutation Provides Insights Into Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s Disease
A mutated protein expressed in lysosomes may contribute to Parkinson’s disease, according to a Northwestern Medicine study published in the Journal of Cell Biology.
Neurologic Symptoms of Long COVID Affect Younger Adults More
A recent Northwestern Medicine study published in the Annals of Neurology found on an average of 10 months after COVID-19 onset, younger and middle-aged adults had worse neurologic symptoms of long COVID than adults 65 and older regardless of the COVID-19 infection severity.
​How Your Breathing Coordinates Brain Rhythms During Sleep
For the first time in humans, breathing rhythms during sleep have been linked to hippocampal brain waves that strengthen memory consolidation, according to a recent Northwestern Medicine study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Improving the Science and Treatment of Glioblastoma
The Lurie Cancer Center Brain Tumor SPORE is led by Maciej Lesniak, MD, with projects led by members of the Departments of Neurosurgery and Neurology. It's one of just six in the U.S., and the only one in Illinois.

CLINICAL ADVANCES AND INSIGHTS

First-in-Human Treatment Reaches Glioblastoma, Helps Immune Cells Recognize Cancer Cells
Roger Stupp, MD, and Adam Sonabend, MD, discuss a novel skull-implantable ultrasound device used to open the blood-brain barrier to deliver immunotherapy and chemotherapy for glioblastoma treatment. The results of the first in-human clinical trial showed a remarkable four- to six-fold increase in drug concentrations in the brain. ​Click here for more 2024 updates from MBTI.
Complex Spinal Fusion for Parkinson’s Disease-Related Kyphosis
A 69-year-old patient with Parkinson’s disease presented with severe kyphosis and camptocormia. He reported chronic back pain, rapid fatigue and early satiety due to abdominal compression. Imaging revealed significant lumbar disc degeneration and severe thoraco-lumbar kyphosis. Tyler R. Koski, MD, performs a complex two-step spinal surgery to address this challenging condition.
Innovative Drug Shows Promise for Treating Rare Brain Tumors
An experimental drug may provide a novel treatment option for some patients with rare incurable brain tumors, according to an analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Karan S. Dixit, MD, was a co-author. Click here for more 2024 updates from MBTI.
Virtual CME: Advancements in Acoustic Neuroma Management: Multidisciplinary Insights
A multidisciplinary Northwestern Medicine panel from otology, neurosurgery and neurology discusses acoustic neuroma. They cover detection and diagnosis, treatment options, and advantages of a multidisciplinary approach, highlighted through case-based discussions. 
Faster, Safer Neurosurgical Drill Used for First Time in Bedside Procedure
Matthew B. Potts, MD, is the first physician in the U.S. to successfully use a Hubly Drill. This battery-powered cranial drill was developed at Northwestern University and offers an alternative to “medieval” hand-crank drills.
Thrombectomy Does Not Improve Outcomes for Patients With Large Strokes
Treatment with endovascular thrombectomy did not significantly improve outcomes after 90 days in patients with a large core stroke, as compared to patients who received standard stroke care alone. Sameer A. Ansari, MD, PhD, was a co-author of the study published in JAMA.
​Minimally Invasive Resection of One-in-a-Million High-Risk Colloid Cyst
A 67-year-old female patient presented with significant cognitive and motor issues, including gait ataxia, memory loss, blurry vision and fainting. An MRI revealed a brain mass, and she was referred to Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD.
​How AI Is Revolutionizing Spine Surgery
Najib El Tecle, MD, and Srikanth N. Divi, MD, explore how AI enhances diagnostic accuracy, reduces complications and improves surgical outcomes in spine surgery.
Management of an IDH-Mutant Grade II Oligodendroglioma 
Karan S. Dixit, MD, presents the case of a 35-year-old patient with isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant 1p/19q oligodendroglioma and explains the rationale behind opting for observation over adjuvant therapy after surgery.

Northwestern Medicine Neurology and Neurosurgery

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is proud to be nationally ranked for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report, 2024 – 2025.  
 
Patient health and well-being is at the core of our department’s mission. We deliver on our mission by providing outstanding evidence-based clinical care and by developing new treatments and techniques through innovative research.