The March 27, 2016 article by Benedict Carey, “On C.T.E. and Athletes, Science Remains in Its Infancy,” correctly points out that much of the science on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is unsettled, and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) agree that CTE research is in its infancy and continues to evolve.

Today, the Alliance of Specialty Medicine (“Alliance”), a national coalition of 15 specialty medical societies representing over 100,000 specialty physicians, participated in an in-person roundtable discussion on reforming prior authorization in federally-sponsored health care programs.

Patient safety and optimal outcomes are maximized by team-based treatment of patients with either trauma or degenerative diseases of the spine involving a collaborative relationship between neurosurgery and orthopaedic spine surgeons and non-surgeon spine clinicians who practice within the scope of their training. With continued development of minimally invasive technology, several options now exist to alter the biomechanics of the spine using percutaneous techniques.

The values of Integrity, Respect, Compassion, Healing, Teamwork, Excellence and Mentorship are core to the profession of neurological surgery and guide our purpose, decisions and work.