PI Today Podcast EP001: The use of Ketamine to treat TBI.
PI Today has the honor to start this first episode with our special guest and Headache Expert Ben Taimoorazy, MD.
Triple-board certified in pain medicine, headache medicine, and anesthesiology, Benjamin Taimoorazy, MD, is a renowned headache and pain management specialist.
He brings twenty years of experience and knowledge to Beverly Hills Migraine and Pain Management
Dr. Nick Loloee and Dr. Taimoorazy discuss traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and the use of ketamine to treat depression and other mood disorders associated with TBIs.
Dr. Taimoorazy, a triple-board-certified pain management physician, explains that ketamine blocks the NMDA receptor, promoting neuroplasticity and dendritic regeneration.
The treatment involves six infusions every other day, each lasting 60-75 minutes, with a sub-anesthetic dose of 0.5 mg/kg.
Ketamine has shown significant success in reducing symptoms and dependency on other medications.
The discussion also touches on the importance of support from family and professionals for patients undergoing ketamine treatment.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries.
Dr. Nick and Dr. Taimoorazy discuss the complexity of the brain and how traumatic brain injuries can manifest in different ways.
Dr. Taimoorazy explains that the brain is made up of billions of neurons connected through synaptic connections and neurotransmitters. Any disturbance in this neuroconnectivity can lead to abnormal brain functions, such as weakness, numbness, memory dysfunction, seizures, and more.
Dr. Taimoorazy explains that ketamine is a specific treatment for depression caused by traumatic brain injuries. The discussion aims to debunk myths and provide an academic perspective on ketamine's use in treating traumatic brain injury patients.
Mechanism and Effects of Ketamine.
Dr. Taimoorazy explains that ketamine blocks the NMDA receptor, which is crucial for pain transmission and modulation.
Ketamine has been used since the 1970s for pain management and anesthesia, and its antidepressant and mood-altering properties have been studied extensively in the last 20 years. The drug helps regenerate dendritic connections in the brain, which are crucial for neurochemical release and synchronous firing in neural circuits.
Ketamine's Clinical Applications and Protocols.
Dr. Taimoorazy discusses the clinical applications of ketamine, including its use for mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety.
The protocol for ketamine treatment involves six infusions every other day, with each infusion lasting 60 to 75 minutes. The dosage is a sub-anesthetic dose, and patients may feel relaxed but not anesthetized
EP002 will focus on another mysterious injury often missed in diagnoses, with Dr. Taimoorazy as the guest expert.
Dr. Taimoorazy's locations:
Beverly Hills Migraine and Pain Management Institute. 436 N Roxbury Dr Suite #101, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
6325 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Suite 107, Woodland Hills, CA, 91367
