Ultimate publication would be the expected goal of such a project. Publication of interesting cases as case reports would be encouraged. As the Cerebrovascular Fellow begins the fellowship, a concrete question in clinical neurovascular disease will be posed, and in the formation of this question a literature review will be mandatory. There are a variety of basic laboratories available at the Massachusetts General Hospital and collaborating institutions. Dr. Ogilvy, the Director of Cerebrovascular Surgery, has an active laboratory focused on the question of cerebral ischemia and protection from ischemic insults during neurovascular procedures.
Collaborative laboratories are available with tools to answer a variety of questions.
Prior to beginning the fellowship, the individual chosen will develop a basic line of questioning and hone this line of questioning to a specific basic research question. This can then be pursued in the laboratory with the aid of the laboratory staff as appropriate. The fellow is expected to develop a rational hypothesis, collect appropriate data to refute or support the hypothesis, and interpret the results appropriately. Through the development of this fellowship, it is expected that the breadth and depth of the cerebrovascular program at the Massachusetts General Hospital will be improved. Already a leader in neurovascular surgery, the development of a fellowship is proposed as one further step to strengthen the program, increase productivity of the unit, and further advance post-residency education of carefully selected individuals.