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Michael Yong, MD, MPH, MBA, is board certified in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, and fellowship-trained in Neurorhinology – Advanced Sinus & Skull Base Surgery. At Pacific Neuroscience Institute®, Dr. Yong provides full-service general Otolaryngology care, with an expertise in sinonasal and skull base disorders. He specializes in using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques for the treatment of nasal obstruction, smell disorders, allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, facial pain, acute and chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, and benign and malignant tumors of the sinonasal cavities, among others. In addition, he works closely with a multidisciplinary team including his Neurosurgery colleagues to perform endoscopic endonasal surgeries that address benign and malignant skull base disorders in a way that maximizes preservation of function and quality of life.

Michelle Holmes, OD, is a full-scope optometrist at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute®. She sees patients at both the Eye, Ear and Skull Base Center as well as at the Brain Health Center. She is board certified and TLG licensed to treat and manage ocular disease. She prides herself in practicing evidence-based medicine with a genuine enthusiasm for human connection.

She earned her undergraduate degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental biology from the University of Washington, Seattle. After her mother was diagnosed with a rare eye disease, she was inspired to pursue her Doctor of Optometry. She went on to complete her degree at the University of California, Berkeley. Her strong interest in ocular disease led her to successfully complete clinical externships at Omni Eye Services in the greater New York City area, the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, and the Miami VA Hospital. She graduated with the distinction of Honors in Research and Clinical Science for her thesis on the efficacy of orthokeratology lenses for myopia control. This work was accepted for publication in Optometry and Vision Science (OVS), Journal of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Holmes is a current member of the American Optometric Association (AOA), the California Optometric Association (COA), and the Los Angeles County Optometric Association (LACOS).

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is a condition caused by elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the brain. The symptoms of this condition mimic those of a brain tumor, giving it the name pseudotumor cerebri, meaning "false brain tumor." The increased pressure can cause swelling of the optic nerve and can result in loss of vision. Medications can often reduce the pressure and headache, but surgery is necessary in some cases.

Alexander M. Solomon, MD, is a neuro-ophthalmologist and strabismus surgeon at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica and Torrance, CA. Dr. Solomon’s personal philosophy is that each patient is individual and that diagnosis and optimal management of any disease is best carried out in conjunction with patient and family education, and understanding. His skillset includes visual field analysis and optical coherence tomography interpretation, as well as advanced adult strabismus diagnosis and treatment including thyroid eye disease, cranial nerve palsies, and orbital disease.

Clinic: 310-829-8701
Dr. Solomon: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/alexander-solomon/
Consultation: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/eye-ent/our-center/schedule-a-consultation/
Website: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/eye-ent/vision/

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that damages the nerves. It affects about a million people in the U.S., primarily women. Join us for “Multiple Sclerosis Explained” where podcast host Kym Douglas talks with Pacific Neuroscience Institute physician Dr. Barbara Giesser about MS symptoms, the importance of early diagnosis, and the medication, symptom management, and lifestyle options now available for controlling the disease.

Dr. Akanksha Sharma is a neuro-oncologist and palliative medicine specialist at the Pacific Brain Tumor Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA. To provide extra resources to brain cancer patients suffering from brain tumors such as glioblastoma and their care partners. Dr. Akanksha Sharma is a neuro-oncologist and palliative medicine specialist at the Pacific Brain Tumor Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA. To provide extra resources to brain cancer patients suffering from brain tumors such as glioblastoma and their care partners, Dr. Sharma opened a Supportive Care Clinic in 2020. The clinic offers services to deal with symptoms, quality of life, care partner burden and distress, and help alleviate suffering.

PacificBrainTumor.org | 310-829-8265

You're probably hearing a lot more about the "human microbiome" these days. It's the collection of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that lives alongside us, inside and out. Some of these organisms are beneficial, and some are harmful. There is growing evidence that bad actors in our digestive tract may produce toxins that travel along the vagus nerve to the brain, where they clump and cause Parkinson's disease. Listen to this PNI Minute to understand this unexpected connection between gut health and the brain.

Strabismus, commonly referred to as “crossed eyes” or “lazy eye,” is a visual condition characterized by an improper alignment of the eyes. In individuals with strabismus, the eyes do not work together as a coordinated pair, causing one eye to be misaligned relative to the other. This misalignment can be constant or intermittent and can affect one eye or both eyes.

Alexander M. Solomon, MD, is a neuro-ophthalmologist and strabismus surgeon at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica and Torrance, CA. Dr. Solomon’s personal philosophy is that each patient is an individual and that diagnosis and optimal management of any disease is best carried out in conjunction with patient and family education, and understanding.

In the complex landscape of mental health, a revolution is underway: psychedelic-assisted therapy. At the forefront of this movement is the TRIP Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. The Treatment & Research In Psychedelics Center is breaking new ground, treating patients with ketamine-assisted therapy as well as conducting rigorous clinical trials to understand the potential of psychedelics in tackling mental health issues and enhancing quality of life. Dr. Micah Linton is a seasoned licensed clinical psychologist at PNI, and Juliana Hudson is a visionary licensed clinical social worker. Both are fervent believers in the transformative power of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Micah’s interest was kindled at consciousness conferences. Juliana's journey was sparked by the profound impact these compounds can have in therapy, unlocking deeply buried emotions and facilitating profound experiences. Join us as we delve into this paradigm shift, uncovering how PNI is blazing a trail in the realm of psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Dr. Jian Guan is a fellowship trained neurosurgeon with a special focus on complex spine surgery at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. Dedicated to the care of patients with spine and neck conditions, he practices at PNI-South Bay / Spine Institute at Little Company of Mary in Torrance, California. With over 75 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Guan has a particular clinical and research interest in ways of maximizing benefit to patients following neurosurgical procedures.

Essential tremor is the most common movement disorder in humans, and its causes are among the most mysterious. It’s a neurological condition that causes involuntary shaking. It can begin in one’s 20s or 30s, or much later in life. Dr. Natalie Diaz treats essential tremors. Its origins may be unknown, but there are treatments. The first step is to talk to your doctor to rule out other forms of tremor because there are many.