Ventral and Ventrolateral Cord Stimulation: From “Motor Side Effects” to Intentional Circuit Engagement
Part of The Forgotten Corridors: Rediscovering Neuromodulation Pathways from Gutter Stimulation to Ventral Cord Stimulation
Details
- Date
- Saturday, January 23, 2027
- Time
- 4:40 PM – 5:00 PM
- Session type
- Concurrent Session
- Schedule
- See this day
About
Neuromodulation has traditionally focused on stimulation of the dorsal columns, yet chronic pain processing involves multiple spinal cord circuits. Growing interest is emerging in previously overlooked anatomical corridors, including the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) and the lateral spinal cord "gutter," where primary afferent fibers enter the spinal cord and interact with dorsal horn networks. These regions may represent precision targets for modulating segmental nociceptive processing. Similarly, ventral and ventrolateral spinal cord regions, historically avoided due to motor activation, may provide opportunities for intentional engagement of descending modulatory and propriospinal circuits. With advances in lead design and programming, these areas can now be explored more safely and selectively.
Presenters
-
Gustaf M. Van Acker, MD PHD
Assistant Professor
The MetroHealth System/Case Western Reserve University · Cleveland, Ohio
I am an Assistant Professor and Board Certified Pain Management and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician-Scientist, with a research emphasis on interventional and minimally-invasive neuromodulation techniques for pain management. I received my PhD in Neurophysiology, mentored by Dr. Paul Cheney, and MD from the University of Kansas Medical Center, after obtaining a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Arizona. I then completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship under the mentorship of Dr. Randolph Nudo investigating a mechanism to promote intracortical connectivity for post-stroke recovery, after which I completed a Physician-Scientist Postdoctoral Fellowship with Dr. Kevin Kilgore investigating peripheral nerve conduction block for spasticity and pain inhibition. I then completed residency in PM&R, and subsequently fellowship in Pain Management, both at MetroHealth/Case Western Reserve University. My research focuses on spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation.