Think Neuro

Approximately every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. About 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes, which blocks blood flow to the brain. When it comes to treating strokes, knowing the signs and symptoms is important so you can act fast. Dr. José Morales is a vascular neurologist and neurointerventional surgeon at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. Dedicated to serving his patients, Dr. Morales specializes in minimally invasive endovascular procedures that treat conditions and diseases of the brain and spine, such as strokes. Listen to this episode and find out how Dr. Morales treats stroke, the importance of early detection, and how lifestyle changes can help prevent it.

Focused Ultrasound is an incisionless treatment for patients with Essential Tremor (ET) and Tremor Dominant Parkinson’s Disease (TDPD) who have not responded to medication. It uses high intensity ultrasound waves guided by MRI to treat deep areas in the brain associated with tremor, with no permanent implants or general anesthesia. There is little to no risk of infection and patients usually return home the same day with immediate tremor improvements.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and involves abnormal growths of skin cells that can form anywhere on the body, but most frequently appear on skin that is exposed to the sun, such as the face.

Vivian F. Wu, MD, MPH, is a surgeon-scientist specializing in all cancers of the head and neck, including those of the tongue, throat, voice box, thyroid, skin, and salivary glands.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is revolutionizing perioperative care by shifting away from conventional methods toward a patient-centered, evidence-based approach. ERAS protocols focus on optimizing recovery across all surgical stages—before, during, and after the procedure—through personalized therapies. Key elements include nutritional support, patient education, minimally invasive techniques, and multimodal pain management, all designed to improve surgical outcomes.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a small DNA virus that infects skin and wet surfaces of the body. The virus is typically spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. There are over 100 different types of HPV. The most common types of HPV are found on the skin and appear as warts. It is one of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections worldwide. HPV is responsible for more than 90% of anal and cervical cancers. The high-risk types of HPV form in the back of the throat, also known as Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Vivian F. Wu, MD, MPH, is a surgeon-scientist specializing in all cancers of the head and neck, including those of the tongue, throat, voice box, thyroid, skin, and salivary glands. She is the Director of the Head and Neck Cancer Center of Excellence at Saint John’s Cancer Institute and Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI).

Tucked deep within the brain and no larger than a pea, the pituitary gland is often called the body’s “master gland.” It oversees the endocrine system—a network of glands and organs that produce hormones regulating everything from growth and metabolism to reproduction and mood. At Pacific Neuroscience Institute’s Pituitary Disorders Center, endocrinologist Dr. Noa Tal specializes in identifying and treating hormone and endocrine imbalances. Patients may present with a wide range of symptoms—unexplained weight gain, irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, or mood changes—that often seem unrelated. In cases like Cushing’s disease, a pituitary tumor triggers excess cortisol production, resulting in a puzzling array of symptoms. Sometimes the cause is even more elusive, such as side effects from medications. That’s where careful clinical investigation comes in. Dr. Tal and her interdisciplinary team work closely to uncover the root of hormonal issues and guide patients toward not just better outcomes, but better quality of life. Listen in!

Five days after the birth of her second son, Nicky developed Bell's palsy, a facial paralysis affecting one side of the face. In a majority of people symptoms resolve with steroids and anti-viral treatments. The symptoms lingered for a year despite treatment at which point she was diagnosed with synkinesis, or abnormal facial nerve movement, which occurs about 10% of patients. Nicky was relieved as the diagnosis represented a path forward. Dr. Amit Kochhar at Pacific Neuroscience Institute has been working with Nicky for 2 years and she feels very grateful his expertise in treating synkinesis.

Most people living with MS don't see their neurologist often. For many, it might be only once or twice a year. A lot of important things take place during that appointment. Symptoms are assessed. Decisions about disease-modifying therapies are made or, sometimes, changed. Questions get asked and, hopefully, answered. Dr. Barbara Giesser returns to the podcast, this time, to review the things that should be discussed and followed up on at your appointment with your neurologist or MS specialist. We're also sharing some good news about MS research funding from the National MS Society and the International Progressive MS Alliance. We'll tell you how you can catch the replay of the International Progressive MS Alliance's webcast focused on putting people with MS at the center of MS research. We're sharing the encouraging outcome of the Phase 2 clinical trial for vidofludimus calcium and progressive MS. We'll tell you how you or a family member can participate in the GEMS study. And we'll tell you about a new AI tool that can accurately diagnose a patient's transition from relapsing-remitting MS to secondary progressive MS, often before a clinician can!

Lumbar discectomy is a surgical procedure designed to relieve pressure on spinal nerves caused by a herniated disk. Unlike traditional open surgery, this technique uses small incisions and specialized tools to remove damaged disk material with minimal impact on surrounding tissue. Patients typically experience less pain and quicker recovery, making it a preferred option when conservative treatments fail.

Cochlear implants are neat little devices that drastically improve one's quality of life. However, only about 10% of those that qualify for cochlear implants have actually received one. When one thinks of cochlear implants, the first thing that might come to mind is surgery--invasive, lengthy, with a long time of recovery. However, at PNI, patients can expect a much faster, minimally invasive treatment option. Dr. Rebecca Lewis, the Audiology Director of the Adult & Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program, highlights the importance of getting an evaluation done, and early. Studies have shown that the earlier one gets treatment for their hearing issues, the better the outcome. Mathilde Tranberg, an outreach and patient support specialist at PNI, is a cochlear implant recipient herself. As she was implanted as a child, she knows firsthand how helpful it can be. Her goal is to spread the word about cochlear implants through community outreach and education. Listen in and learn about how these innovative devices are changing lives.