Dr. Amilcar dos Santos MD - Exploring Far Frontiers of Neural, Spinal, and Brain-Computer Interfaces

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Neuromodulation is defined as "the alteration of nerve activity through targeted delivery of a stimulus, such as electrical stimulation or chemical agents, to specific neurological sites in the body". It is carried out to normalize – or modulate – nervous tissue function. 

Neuromodulation is an evolving therapy that can involve a range of electromagnetic stimuli such as a magnetic field, an electric current, or a drug instilled directly in the sub-dural space (i.e. intra-thecal drug delivery). Emerging applications involve targeted introduction of genes or gene regulators and light (optogenetics), but most clinical experience has been with electrical stimulation. Existing and emerging neuromodulation treatments also include application in medication-resistant epilepsy, chronic head pain conditions, and functional therapy ranging from bladder and bowel or respiratory control, to improvement of sensory deficits, such as hearing and vision. Neuromodulation therapy has been investigated for other chronic conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, depression, chronic pain, and as an adjunctive treatment in recovery from stroke. 

Dr. Amílcar dos Santos, is a practicing Psychiatrist at the Psychiatry Service of Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, in Lisbon, Portugal, with expertise in Neuromodulation / Neurostimulation, Hospitalization of acute patients, Psychiatric Emergency Service, Outpatient Psychiatry, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and Psychoeducation for Bipolar Disease. 

Dr. dos Santos has a Degree in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (FMUL) and Post-Graduate in Neuroscience at FMUL. He also interned at the Department of Neurobiology at Duke University, USA, in 2013/14, at the Nicolelis lab, with a focus on studies on brain-machine interfaces, acquiring surgical skills for implanting electrodes in the brain and spinal cord, and has performed a range behavioral research experiments on organisms studying real-time analysis of brain activity, doing respective data analysis techniques, as well as participating in spinal cord stimulation in the treatment / reduction of convulsive activity and in epilepsy. Dr. dos Santos is also a lecturer in Psychiatry at NOVA Medical School, Lisbon. 

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