Think Neuro

The Covid-19 virus is a shape-shifter. Two years into the pandemic, we’re still learning about the damage it can cause. One thing for sure: It causes more strokes, says Dr. Garni Barkhoudarian, a neurosurgeon at PNI. The virus invades the blood vessels and pushes certain cells into a “hypercoagulable state,” meaning that they gum up our arteries. Patients that are already prone to strokes are at the greatest risk, Dr. Barkhoudarian says. They may recover from Covid but have a devastating stroke in the meantime, risking grave injury or death. Less clear about Covid is the damage it appears to do to the brain. Covid survivors have arrived at PNI with headaches and “brain fog,” and their MRI scans show strange abnormalities, Dr. Barkhoudarian says. It’s unclear if those changes are lasting. One easy step to take: Get a vaccine. They are very safe and more effective than seasonal flu shots. “It's amazing that we have these vaccines,” Dr. Barkhoudarian says. He compares their development to landing on the moon, developing the Internet, and mapping the human genome. Listen to this episode to find out more about Covid and the brain, and why Dr. Barkhoudarian has such confidence in vaccines.

Dr. Martin’s neurosurgical practice at PNI focuses on patients with facial pain syndromes such as trigeminal neuralgia, skull base tumors, aneurysms, and arteriovenous malformations.

At PNI Foundation, he serves as Director of Innovation and Quality and focuses his efforts on programmatic development, particularly in the Pacific Facial Pain, Brain Tumor, Brain Health, and Stroke & Neurovascular Centers. He is a neurosurgical fellowship training mentor. Dr. Martin aids with the recruitment of new PNI faculty and assists in PNI Foundation fundraising efforts.

You can read more about Dr. Martin at the link below:

https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/neil-martin/

Howard R. Krauss, MD, is a co-founder of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute.

He is an ophthalmologist and a surgical neuro-ophthalmologist at the Pacific Eye, Ear, and Skull Base Center at PNI. He fiercely pursues the best treatments and outcomes for his patients. Dr. Krauss and his PNI colleagues have been innovators; developing, practicing, and teaching dramatic new surgeries, including eye- and vision-preserving techniques for the treatment of orbital cancer.

They have pioneered Transnasal Image-Guided Endoscopic Orbital Tumor Surgery for safer, less invasive, and more effective management of orbital apex tumors and Transorbital Craniotomy for brain tumors.

Dr. Krauss is a recognized expert in his field, has published numerous papers, book chapters, and served as a reviewer for numerous peer-reviewed journals.

He is a founding member of the Board of the North American Skull Base Society. Governor Brown appointed him to the Medical Board of California, and he serves as a Mentor Examiner of the American Board of Ophthalmology.

To read more about Dr. Krauss please visit the link below:

https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/howard-krauss

pacificneuro.org

310-582-7450

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.

pacificneuro.org

310-582-7450

“I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up.” That line is the source of countless jokes on late night television, but in real life, it’s anything but funny. One in three people over 65 fall each year. Those falls often lead to broken hips, and a quarter of elderly people who suffer a hip fracture die within a year, says Dr. William Buxton, a neurologist at PNI who specializes in preventing falls in people who are prone to them. There are many causes. Sedating medications have been linked to falls. Damage to nerves in the legs and feet from diabetes or excessive alcohol use can impair balance. A weak cardiovascular system can cause dizziness when standing up, too. There are so many causes, but there is one very good solution: exercise. Simple movement classes are great, says Dr. Buxton, and so is targeted physical therapy. Working with his colleague Dr. Verna Porter, Dr. Buxton has designed programs that have helped reduce falls among people with dementia, for whom fall prevention was considered impractical. Listen to this episode to learn why falls are no laughing matter, and how to prevent them.

pacificneuro.org

310-582-7641

Dr. Omid B. Mehdizadeh, MD, is an Otolaryngology, and Head & Neck (ENT) surgeon. Working with colleagues in the Pacific Eye, Ear & Skull Base Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, his particular expertise is in voice, swallowing and throat conditions (laryngology).

Visit Dr. Mehdizadeh's profile https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/omid-mehdizadeh/

pacificneuro.org

310-582-7450

Dr. Jason Tarpley, MD, Ph.D. is the Director of the Stroke Center at Providence Saint John's Health Center and directs the Pacific Stroke and Neurovascular Center.

His focus is treating patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and intracranial vascular lesions such as aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations. He is also trained in neuroendovascular therapy to treat these patients.

You can read more about Dr. Kaiser at the link below https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/jason-tarpley/

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.

pacifichydrocephalus.org

310-582-7450

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that arises when white blood cells make their way into the central nervous system and attack the fatty covering that protects neurons, which disrupts their ability to effectively conduct electrical and chemical signals. Many people with MS report that their symptoms get temporarily worse in the heat. This is because neurons, especially damaged ones, conduct electricity less efficiently at higher temperatures. Decades ago, before the advent of magnetic resonance imaging, doctors would diagnose multiple sclerosis by putting patients in a hot bath. If their neurologic symptoms worsened, it was taken as evidence that they had MS. Dr. Barbara Giesser has been caring for people with MS since 1982, and she’s seen the field evolve. The disease isn’t curable, but thanks to new medications and new knowledge about lifestyle, it’s much easier to live with MS than ever. Listen to this episode of the Think Neuro podcast to hear one of the most experienced MS doctors in the world describe the mechanics of the disease and what patients can do to minimize its effects.

For more information:

pacificneuro.org | (310) 582-7640