Multidisciplinary teams of neuroscientists collaborate to fix problems of the brain and nervous system

The world-class neuroscientists at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics don’t just treat disorders of the brain and nervous system, they work to solve them. Jeremiah Bruss, a 6-year-old boy with tiny tumors growing on his cranial nerves, is a living example of this extraordinary expertise at work.

Bruss has neurofibromatosis Type II (NF2), a genetic disorder that affects hearing and balance. Without treatment, the tumors eventually cause deafness. The condition can even be life-threatening if the tumors spread to other parts of the body.

But the outlook for Jeremiah seems very favorable. In fact, Bruce Gantz, M.D., and the other neuroscientists responsible for his care devised a strategy that they hope will prevent the eventual deafness that already affects his father and grandfather, who also have NF2.

“Jeremiah developed a facial nerve tumor at an early enough age that we could intervene with microsurgery,” Gantz explains. “It’s rare for these tumors to be caught so early.

Time will tell, but were pretty optimistic we can make a real difference for him.”

To make a difference of this magnitude requires teams of specialists from many disciplines. At UI Hospitals and Clinics, the team for treating patients with tumors of the skull includes neurotologists, neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, and

neuro-anesthesiologists. They are supported by skilled nurses in the operating room and intensive care units and physical therapists with expertise in balance retraining.