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Dennis Alan Turner

Professor of Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery
Box 3807 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
4510 Stead Bldg, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Current clinical research interests include clinical trials regarding adaptive or closed-loop deep brain stimulation with novel devices, cellular, and gene therapy in Parkinson disease. Additional trials have included gene therapy for Alzheimer's disease and sensory restoration for development of brain machine interfaces. Clinical treatments include deep brain stimulation, which is now a common procedure for treating Parkinson disease and tremor. Translational approaches include testing new devices and stimulation patterns in the operating room. Pre-clinical research interests focus on evaluation of cerebral perfusion and metabolism changes with stroke, aging and Alzheimer's disease, using both in vivo and in vitro approaches. These basic science interests include new approaches to cerebral blood flow enhancement with brain stimulation, optical imaging of the brain, cellular understanding of metabolism using direct substrate recordings (ie, oxygen, glucose, lactate, respirometry) and developing new methods to understand neurovascular coupling, analyzing complex interactions between neurons, astrocytes and blood vessels.  Further interests include changes in cerebral blood flow with stroke and enhanced recovery after stroke.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Neurosurgery · 1999 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery
Professor of Neurobiology · 1999 - Present Neurobiology, Basic Science Departments
Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery · 2017 - Present Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Biomedical Engineering · 2018 - Present Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences · 2019 - Present Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published March 7, 2024
New Brain Stimulation Treatment for Parkinson’s
Published June 23, 2015
Brain imaging breakthrough could improve Parkinson's treatment

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Recent Publications


Many Pediatric Subspecialty Fellows Are Not Ready to Graduate From Fellowship in 2 Years.

Journal Article Pediatrics · April 1, 2025 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The American Board of Pediatrics requires that proposed changes to the duration of pediatric subspecialty training must include a framework for competency assessment with a measurement component. We analyzed the clinical Entrusta ... Full text Link to item Cite

Low-Frequency Dual Target Deep Brain Stimulation May Relieve Parkinsonian Symptoms.

Journal Article medRxiv · March 25, 2025 BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) reduces the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The two most common targets are the subthalamic nucleus and the globus pallidus. Dual target deep brain stimulation may better reduce symptoms and minimize side eff ... Full text Link to item Cite

A realist evaluation of prospective entrustment decisions in paediatric residency clinical competency committees.

Journal Article Med Educ · March 2025 PURPOSE: Making entrustment decisions (granting more responsibility, advancement and graduation) are important actions in medical training that pose risks to trainees and patients if not done well. A previous realist synthesis of the existing literature re ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Accurate, low-cost, trackerless neuronavigation for transcranial magnetic stimulation

ResearchAdvisor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2027

Hypoperfusion, Hemodynamic Control Domains and Neurovascular Dysregulation in AD brain pathology

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2023 - 2027

An Integrated Biomarker Approach to Personalized, Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson Disease

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2023 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


Indiana University, School of Medicine · 1975 M.D.
Indiana University at Bloomington · 1973 M.A.
Indiana University at Bloomington · 1971 B.A.