Brain Aneurysm group awards research grant to renowned Maine neurosurgeon

Dave McCausland, left, of Maine Brain Aneuysm Awareness and Dr. Robert Ecker. (Courtesy image)

PORTLAND, Maine - The Maine Brain Aneurysm Awareness Committee is pleased and proud to announce the 4th annual "KAT-Walk & Karo-5K Research Grant for 2016" will be awarded to Dr. Robert Ecker, Medical Director of Maine Medical Center's Neurosciences Institute at the Brain Aneurysm Awareness event on September 17.

Dr. Ecker has been conducting groundbreaking research on understanding and treating brain aneurysms. These research projects have yielded promising results and he is now ready to develop manuscripts to submit the results for publication in medical journals. These publications will report on three critically important studies: 1) the use of flow diversion to treat partially thrombosed basilar artery aneurysm; 2) techniques used at Maine Medical Center to reconstruct

complex cervical carotid disease; and 3) results of a study in collaboration with Washington Hospital Center in the use of heparin in the guide catheter to treat unruptured cerebral aneurysms.

This 2016 Research Grant will support preparation, specific imaging, and publication submission expenses related to Dr. Ecker's research studies, which evaluate the effectiveness of various brain aneurysm treatment methods. Through these publications, physicians who treat brain aneurysms or stroke-related conditions will have increased awareness of the results of the studied treatment methods and can therefore offer patients improved care with well-calculated outcomes.

For more information on Maine Brain Aneurysm Awareness, past Research Grants totaling more than $70,000, to pre-register for the walk/run, or donate, please go to: http://www.maineba.org

Dr. Ecker will be accepting the award on Sept. 17 at the

KAT-Walk & Karo-5K for Brain Aneurysm Awareness.