STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 16, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The internationally ranked neuroscience program at University of California at San Diego enters into a R&D and clinical development collaboration agreement with Elekta, using advanced magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology for the study of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Within the framework of the ongoing establishment of an international network of Elekta Neuromag(TM) research centers, Elekta will deliver this world-leading MEG system to UCSD later this spring.
"MEG is a powerful tool for studying normal brain function and brain disorders. Clinically, MEG has been used to localize epileptic discharges in patients with epilepsy", explains Roland R. Lee, M.D., Professor of Radiology in Residence. "It also has been applied to localize major functional centers in the brain that control motor, somatosensory, auditory, vision, and language, which is used for pre-surgical planning in neurosurgery."
"The University of California at San Diego is an ideal place for MEG, since UCSD already has several top neuroscience programs", continues Professor Lee. "Furthermore, the strong MEG program of our Radiology Department has recently recruited MEG experts covering many related fields including Radiology, Neurophysiology, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Physics. The acquisition of the state-of-the-art Elekta Neuromag(TM) MEG system will greatly enhance our ability to understand human brain function. We will also be better equipped to study a number of neurological disorders such as epilepsy, stroke and brain tumors, as well as psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, dementia and posttraumatic stress disorder."
Elekta is currently focusing on research programs for non-invasively locating epileptogenic zones and it is believed that MEG technology increasingly will be used to localize functional targets prior to non-invasive radiosurgery as well as conventional neurosurgery.
"At Elekta, we are very pleased to add the Department of Radiology at UCSD to the growing list of Elekta Neuromag(TM) research facilities that around the world are in the process of developing the clinical applications for magnetoencephalography. We believe that UCSD will be one of the key centers in this ongoing development", says Dr Laurent Leksell, President & CEO of Elekta. "MEG is a truly exciting technology and Elekta is fully committed to assist in bringing its possibilities into clinical use, benefiting patients all over the world. The recent additions to the list of Elekta Neuromag(TM) users is also a proof of success for Elekta's flexibility in providing this technology based on various research and collaborative agreements", concludes Dr Leksell.
For further information, please contact:
Product Enquiries
Stephen Otto: Global MEG Sales and Marketing Coordinator Tel: +81 78 241 7100, e-mail: stephen.otto@elekta.com
Investor Enquiries
Peter Ejemyr, Group VP Corporate Communications Tel: +46 733 611 000, e-mail: peter.ejemyr@elekta.com
Elekta is a world-leading supplier of advanced and innovative radiation oncology and neurosurgery solutions and services for precise treatment of cancer and brain disorders. Elekta's solutions are clinically effective, cost efficient and gentle to the patient.
For additional information about Elekta, please visit www.elekta.com
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