Neurognostics Installs fMRI System at the University of Southern California

June 6, 2007

Utilizing functional MR imaging to map brain function

June 6, 2007 (Los Angeles, CA) - Neurognostics, a Milwaukee-based medical imaging company, has recently installed their Functional MR Imaging (fMRI) suite of products and services at University of Southern California (USC), giving this institution the ability to map important cognitive and sensorimotor brain functions for research and presurgical planning purposes.

“Functional MRI technology has a tremendous potential to improve patient care,” says Neurognostics Vice President of Research and Clinical Operations, Cathy Elsinger, Ph.D. “Neurognostics has developed an fMRI System that makes it simple and cost-effective for physicians to integrate fMRI into their everyday practice. By implementing a functional imaging program, USC is demonstrating the growing trend for facilities to utilize fMRI in both research and clinical settings.”

The USC University Hospital, located near downtown Los Angeles on the USC Health Sciences Campus, is at the forefront of medical imaging technology and specializes in advanced stereotactic surgery and neurological research. The first major application of Neurognostics’ fMRI system at USC will be to study disease modifying therapies in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients, potentially leading to improved treatment options for individuals living with MS. Later applications may include further stroke and CNS disorder research and advanced presurgical mapping prior to surgical intervention.

“The USC University Hospital is one of the nation’s leading hospitals, with world-class facilities that specialize in brain research and neurosurgery” said Dr. Norman Kachuck, Director of the MS Comprehensive Care Center of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “We are excited to take full advantage of the Neurognostics’ fMRI System and Data Analysis services. Using fMRI to research such a debilitating disease as Multiple Sclerosis will hopefully lead to significant improvements in our ability to monitor treatment efficacy and predict better patient outcomes. We look forward to working with Neurognostics as we expand the use of their fMRI System to other clinical neuroscience areas and research programs in the near future.”

“The University of Southern California is a world-renowned research facility” added Elsinger. “Working with USC to dramatically improve patient care within their neuroscience, neurology, neurosurgical and rehabilitation departments is exciting, and we are looking forward to partnering with them to broaden the use of fMRI technology in a variety of these clinical and research areas.”

About Neurognostics, Inc.
Neurognostics is a leading provider of integrated Functional MR Imaging (fMRI) solutions. fMRI is a powerful imaging technique that extends the capability of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) by providing information about the functionality of imaged brain tissue. Neurognostics has applied over a decade of research to standardize fMRI technology and extend its use in a variety of clinical settings. The Neurognostics integrated fMRI system supplies health care providers with state of the art functional imaging technology; integrating easily with existing devices and simplifying the application of fMRI.

About USC University Hospital
USC University Hospital is a private, 293-bed referral, teaching and research hospital staffed by faculty of the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Opened in 1991, this ultra-modern hospital offers some of the most sophisticated technology available. Among the hospital's advanced services are neurointerventional radiology, cardiac catheterization, and interventional cardiology. Surgical specialties include organ transplantation and neurosurgery as well as cardiothoracic, esophageal, orthopedic, and plastic and reconstructive surgeries. The hospital is owned and operated by Tenet Healthcare Corporation.