Neurosurgeon Çağın Ozankaya represented the TRNC at a deep brain stimulation congress in Vienna

Neurosurgeon Çağın Ozankaya represented the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus at the congress of the World Society of Deep Brain Stimulation, which took place in Vienna. At the meeting, he told colleagues about the neuromodulation work being carried out in the TRNC.

Deep brain stimulation is a method in which thin electrodes are implanted in the deep structures of the brain, while impulses are delivered to them by a neurostimulator placed under the skin. The procedure is used to treat Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia when medications stop producing the desired effect.

According to Ozankaya, the trip to Vienna meant more to him than simply attending another scientific meeting. He noted that it is difficult for the TRNC to make itself heard on international platforms, and that scientific work remains one of the ways for doctors from the republic to connect with the global community.

The neurosurgeon said that he had also encountered obstacles along the way related to the personal attitudes of some individuals, but did not allow disputes to overshadow the work. “Instead of getting lost in discussions, we focused on what we do,” he said.

Now, he said, specialists from the TRNC find themselves in the same room as leading researchers in the field and can speak directly about their own practice. The team’s work attracted the interest of colleagues, the doctors received invitations to new scientific meetings, and they now have their own place in this scientific community.

Ozankaya added that in personal communication, when you show the results, many prejudices disappear on their own. He promised to continue the work and reach more patients, and also thanked Professor Tancu Uçar and other colleagues who supported the team.