New Brain Mapping Center at Premier Health

The first brain mapping center in the Midwest is now part of Premier Health Clinical Neuroscience Institute (CNSI). The Brain Mapping Center (BMC) brings together surgeons, neuropsychologists, neurologists, and radiologists for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team of specialists dedicated to care of neurological health issues, such as:

• Brain tumors
• Epilepsy
• Movement disorders
• Multiple sclerosis

Through non-invasive imaging technology, brain mapping identifies areas of the brain that control speech, movement, senses, etc., guiding physicians during neurosurgery to avoid these critical areas and helping them determine the best surgical approach. Since the location of critical areas of the brain are not the same in every person, brain mapping allows for highly individualized planning before surgery; greater precision during surgery; and a clearer view of post-surgical changes to measure outcomes. This level of accuracy can help set realistic expectations and reduce a patient’s anxiety about recovery.

Testing has shown that brain mapping improves the understanding of the brain. For example, surgery on a brain tumor can be performed without compromising vital areas of the brain. The mapping reveals which area of the patient’s brain affects language; if a lesion is in that area; how much of the lesion can be safely removed to treat the disease; and how much of the patient’s language abilities can be returned to normal after surgery. Physician can also predict with extreme accuracy the long-term outcomes for patients with brain tumors, epilepsy, and movement disorders.

Patient Benefits

Patients can feel confident in the knowledge that the surgeon knows precisely where to perform surgery. The brain is mapped for the safest route before and during surgery for minimal deficits. Important life concerns can be addressed, such as length of time to return to work and independent living, functional and cognitive outcomes, and estimations of recovery up to two years after surgery. Patients can plan and prepare for post-operative services ahead of time and set realistic expectations for recovery, reducing the level of anxiety that comes with neurosurgery.

Physician Benefits

Premier Health’s specialized team provides comprehensive care of neurologic conditions. They collaborate with specialists from the neuro-oncology tumor board and participate in case conferences with subspecialties to discuss cases and make recommendations to ensure patients receive personalized, effective, quality and compassionate care. The Brain Mapping Center provides highly specialized neurocognitive and neurological assessment services, such as tractography; the intracarotid sodium amobarbital procedure, or Wada; cortical brain mapping; and neurocognitive assessment.

Expert Care Close to Home

Fadi Tayim, PhD, clinical neuropsychologist and division chief of the brain mapping center at Premier Health Clinical Neuroscience Institute, specializes in the assessment of brain functioning and conducts diagnostic procedures, including neurocognitive evaluation, functional MRI (fMRI), intracarotid sodium amobarbital procedure (the Wada), and neuroanatomical brain mapping for neurosurgical patients. Dr. Tayim has spearheaded the Brain Mapping Center’s formation. He is one of only a few neuropsychologists with expertise in advanced neuroimaging and brain mapping techniques. He completed his residency and fellowship at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and his PhD, doctoral research, and training in neuropsychology and neuroimaging at Stanford University and PGSP (Palo Alto, California).

• For more information about the Brain Mapping Center or to refer a patient, call (844) 277-2894
• EPIC users can refer a patient by typing “Fadi Tayim”
• Referrals are welcome from neurologists who need consultations for complex patient conditions 

Back to the September 2018 issue of Premier Pulse