Pécs clinic receives prestigious award

The Boston Scientific Corporation awarded the Clinical Centre Neurosurgery and Neurology Clinic of the University of Pécs (UP) a "Centre of Excellence" award for its research and therapeutic activities in the field of Parkinson's disease at a ceremony held on June 11 at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Pécs. Dr. Norbert Kovács, Deputy Director of the Neurological Clinic of the UP Clinical Centre and Dr. István Balás, Associate Professor of the Neurosurgical Clinic of the UP Clinical Centre were also honoured separately.

In 2016, the UP Clinical Center Department of Neurosurgery implanted the first Boston Scientific DBS (deep brain stimulation) system in Hungary, and since then the clinic has participated in several international studies with outstanding results. The high level of education at the clinic has contributed significantly to the development of neurosurgery and neuromodulation in the Central and Eastern European regions.

Marcin Czuz, Divisional Business Associate Director Neuromodulation at Boston Scientific Growth Emerging Markets EMEA, and Dr. István Balás with the certificate of appreciation

Deep brain stimulation has become a major treatment for movement disorders over the last twenty years. It has been a major breakthrough in the treatment of the late stage of Parkinson's disease, which is limited by medication, and in the symptomatic management of certain types of tremors and dystonia. Stimulation involves the application of high-frequency stimulation to the target area using an implanted electrode. As the stimulation only inhibits the nerve cells and does not cause damage, the inhibition can be stopped at any time by switching off the stimulation.

"The introduction and dissemination of therapies is very important in Central and Eastern Europe, in which the  Neurosurgery and Neurology Clinic of the University of Pécs has an outstanding role. They are helping this process through their high level of education and this award is our way of saying thank you," said Piotr Lohman, Business Unit Manager Neuromodulation Southeast Europe and Israel.

Dr. Norbert Kovács gave his thanks for the recognition with a short presentation

"This recognition is a tribute to the excellent clinical and teamwork, the creation of internationally outstanding conditions and our achievements to date. There are only a few centres in the world where neurosurgery, psychiatry, neurology and imaging can work together to such an extent," said Dr. Norbert Kovács, who added that as the largest stimulation centre in the country, more than 700 patients were treated between 2010 and 2022.