Think Neuro

Strange though it may seem, our vocal cords are among our most vital organs. Not only do they allow us to communicate, but they make it possible to swallow without letting food or fluids into our lungs, a dangerous phenomenon that can cause pneumonia. It’s a complex action, requiring the work of 48 different muscles. Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh is an otolaryngologist—a surgeon who specializes in the head and neck. His specialty is laryngology—complex voice and swallowing disorders. Many patients come to him when they age, or after they have a stroke, both of which can impair the vocal cords. Dr. Mehdizadeh has lots of techniques to help them, some of which you wouldn’t suspect. As vocal cords age, they lose some of their mass, making it harder for them to close. In those cases, Dr. Mehdizadeh often turns to the same stuff that plastic surgeons use to plump up lips: a filler called Juvederm, or one like it. He injects the cords, giving them new life. In that sense, Dr. Mehdizadeh is a plastic surgeon for the vocal cords. Listen to this episode to learn more about this crucial organ, how to keep it healthy as you age, and what can be done to repair it, if necessary.

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is one of a few reversible causes of dementia. Dr. Garni Barkhoudarian, director of the Pacific Adult Hydrocephalus Center, briefly describes the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Cervical dystonia (sometimes called neck dystonia) is the abnormal position of the muscles of the neck, causing a twisted, turned, flexed or extended neck position. Abnormal signals coming from the deep parts of the brain cause this condition and therefore it is not muscular in nature and will not resolve with muscle massage or stretching.

The mainstay of treatment of cervical dystonia is with injection of botulinum toxin, such as Botox or Xeomin. Botulinum toxin injections work by causing a disruption between the nerve and the muscle, thereby weakening the muscle that it is injected into. For cervical dystonia, because the muscles that are pulling or twisting the neck to one side are overactive, Botox works to calm those specific muscles down and allows for a more natural and neutral head position.

The Pacific Treatment & Research In Psychedelics (TRIP) program is dedicated to the development of psychedelic-assisted therapies and the scientific exploration of how altered states of consciousness can be harnessed to change behavior and improve brain health and quality of life.

Behavioral health issues are a leading cause of disability and they remain inadequately treated worldwide. The modest effectiveness of existing treatments such as antidepressants and traditional psychotherapy approaches show us that there is an urgent need for more effective treatments for conditions such as depression, alcoholism, smoking cessation, and end of life suffering.

Early studies of psychedelic-assisted therapies for these conditions have demonstrated much larger and durable effects compared to existing therapies suggesting that there is great potential for psychedelic-assisted treatments to revolutionize the treatment of mental health and behavioral disorders.

One thing that makes Pacific Neuroscience Institute an institute is research, and Jennifer Bramen spends all of her time doing just that. Dr. Bramen earned her PhD in neuroscience from UCLA. These days, she is particularly interested in the “gut biome”: all the organisms that live in our digestive system. Strange though it may seem, those bacteria have a lot to do with our brains. That’s because the gut has its own nervous system, and it produces many of the neurotransmitters that regulate our stress levels and mood. But we can’t produce those compounds alone. We need a population of good bacteria to help. Sadly our modern diet of processed foods and cured meats, often consumed quickly at our desks, fosters bad bugs, which can push out the good ones. The key, Dr. Bramen says, is to eat foods that aren’t over-processed, like fruits and vegetables, and to eat them slowly. We should also favor foods that the good bugs like to eat, too: kiwis, bananas and avocado, among them. Dr. Bramen takes two minutes before every meal to slow down her breath, activating the part of her nervous system that helps us digest food. The bottom line: It takes a village (of bugs) to keep our guts and brains healthy. Dr. Bramen’s research is showing just how true that is.

Dr. Courtney Voelker explains about acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor that affects the nerve for hearing and balance. Find out about signs and symptoms, and the three treatment options that are available.

Cushing's disease is a pituitary adenoma that causes the production of too much adrenocorticotropic hormone resulting in excess cortisol levels in the body. Listen to Dr. Daniel Kelly, MD, founder & director of Pacific Neuroscience Institute and one of the most experienced pituitary neurosurgeons in the world talk about Cushing's disease symptoms, diagnosis, optimal treatment, minimally invasive keyhole brain surgery and how this tiny tumor can lead to significant impairment of health.

It’s important to understand the connection between carbohydrates and Alzheimer's disease. Brain cells depend on insulin to use glucose effectively. When insulin resistance sets in, as it often does with older age and AD, it can lead to cognitive decline. Both AD and type 2 diabetes share common mechanisms, including impaired insulin signaling. Lowering blood sugar and insulin levels could also help clear harmful Aβ peptides (amyloid buildup) that contribute to AD. Eating fewer carbohydrates results in lower overall blood sugar.

From Episode 350 of the RealTalkMS podcast with John Strum from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. May 2024

There are more than 20 disease-modifying therapies available to treat MS today. Some are considered high-efficacy, some are considered moderately effective, and each has its own risk profile and side effects to consider. So, how do you choose?

How much homework should someone living with MS do? Where should you look for reliable information? And what if you and your neurologist don't necessarily agree?

Dr. Barbara Giesser joins John Strum of the RealTalkMS podcast from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to talk about your role when it comes to choosing the right DMT through shared decision-making with your neurologist. An internationally recognized clinician and award-winning educator, Dr. Giesser has specialized in the care of people with multiple sclerosis since 1982, a full decade before there was even a single disease-modifying therapy available to treat MS.

Listen to learn more.

https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/brain-health/conditions-treatment/multiple-sclerosis/

Consultation: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/brain-health/schedule-a-consultation-multiple-sclerosis/

Clinic: 310-582-7613

Ryan Glatt is a certified personal trainer, a national board-certified health and wellness coach, and director of FItBrain at PNI. He’s also a big believer in the idea that just getting on a treadmill isn’t enough to keep our brains and bodies in top condition as we age. We must “dual task,” Glatt says. That means finding activities that challenge our minds and bodies at the same time, like dance or pickleball. Glatt, whose own energy and enthusiasm is infectious, is a big fan of video games that make you move. He got fit (and came out of his shell) years ago by playing Dance Dance Revolution, which requires both deft movement and undivided attention. Dual tasking is crucial as we age because it can slow dementia. Glatt has pored over the research and is convinced of that. It can also help us retain our balance, thereby preventing falls, one of the biggest causes of injury in older adults. This high-energy conversation with Ryan will show you how important dual tasking is, and we bet it will get you up and moving by the end.