Think Neuro

Hearing loss affects millions of people worldwide, particularly older adults who can suffer age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Beyond the obvious impact on communication and quality of life, recent research studies show that hearing loss leads to a higher risk of developing the diseases of cognitive decline such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Hearing loss demands comprehensive understanding and professional care. It is more than a mere audiological condition; hearing loss is profoundly connected with cognition, communication, and emotional well-being. If you find yourself confronting hearing loss, do not hesitate to seek assistance at Pacific Eye, Ear, and Skull Base Center.

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.

To say that the medical world’s view of psychedelics has changed would be a vast understatement. Until about two decades ago, drugs like LSD and psilocybin—the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms—were considered dangerous party drugs. Then, a small group of scientists began reconsidering the therapeutic value of the compounds, known for centuries in many non-industrial cultures. In 2000, doctors at Johns Hopkins got regulatory approval to study the drugs. Since then, doctors there and elsewhere have shown that psychedelics can help people quit smoking, quit drinking, ease anxiety, and lift depression. PNI started its Treatment & Research In Psychedelics (TRIP) program in 2019, under the direction of Dr. Keith Heinzerling. So far, TRIP has completed three studies of psychedelics which are difficult to do because the drugs are still illegal under federal law. More studies particularly focusing on depression are underway. Working on those trials has made Dr. Heinzerling one of the foremost experts on psychedelics. Listen to the episode to learn more about the “psychedelic renaissance,” now in its 25th year, from a practitioner who has a thoughtful take on the promise of these once-shunned compounds.

After a childhood disease that affected her hearing, Ayslyn has undergone multiple preventative surgeries for hearing loss each year of her life. At 27 years old, she was treated by Dr. Courtney Voelker and Dr. Rebecca Lewis at Pacific Neuroscience Institute to get a new hearing device. Through a Bone Bridge Surgery she is now able to hear through this innovative technology.

Did you know that some swallowing problems can be caused by a medical condition? Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh treats both voice and swallowing dysfunction. Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) can become a chronic issue that affects anyone, but is often experienced by older adults. A voice and swallow expert, Dr. Mehdizadeh’s background in Otolaryngology and Gastroenterology is a perfect blend of knowledge and experience. He treats patients with voice, airway, esophageal, and swallowing dysfunctions at PNI’s Pacific, Eye, Ear & Skull Base Center in Santa Monica, and Pacific Head & Neck Center in West Los Angeles, California.

A PNI Minute: Exercise is very important for brain health. A multimodal approach including aerobic exercise, resistance (strength) training, and neuro-motor (skill or motor) training is ideal. To help stave off cognitive decline, Ryan and his team work with clients in the FitBrain gym using dual tasking and clinical exergaming also called serious gaming that engages both body and brain simultaneously. Some people call this a clinical arcade. Whether individuals have mobility impairments, physical impairments, or cognitive impairments, there is always something that can be done to customize an exercise program for them.

Ryan Glatt is a Certified Personal Trainer and a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach with over a decade of experience. He focuses his exercise and health coaching strategies on brain health, personalizing lifestyle interventions for individuals with brain and cognitive health goals. Ryan is a Brain Health Coach and the Director of the FitBrain Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute.

Ryan has experience working with a wide variety of populations and currently focuses on individuals with cognitive concerns and neurological conditions, with an emphasis on preventing and slowing cognitive decline. He enjoys working in multidisciplinary teams and helping individuals to build their own team of allied health and medical professionals on their brain health journeys. Ryan specializes in constructing “brain healthy exercise programs” based on the most recent scientific literature while helping to address other important aspects of a brain healthy lifestyle, such as sleep and cognitive stimulation.

In this podcast, Dr. Kelly talks about how he was drawn to neurosurgery, his fascination with the pituitary gland, the nuances of minimally invasive pituitary and brain tumor surgery, as well as a brief history of PNI, its focus on innovation and clinical trials and its 8 centers of excellence.

For more information:
pacificneuro.org | pacificbraintumor.org | (310) 829-8265

As one of the most comprehensive pituitary disorder programs in the United States, the Pacific Pituitary Disorders Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI) offers world-class expert care. Among the top ranked neurology and neurosurgery programs in the nation, our center’s compassionate multidisciplinary specialists provide advanced, personalized treatment while focusing on our patients’ quality of life.

Affiliated with award-winning Providence hospitals Saint John’s Health Center and Little Company of Mary, PNI neurosurgeons lead the way in advancing safer, more effective keyhole and minimally invasive endoscopic pituitary tumor removal approaches.

If you, a family member, or friend have a new diagnosis, require a second opinion, or have a pituitary tumor or related hormonal disorders recurrence, our expert physicians can help you understand your condition and determine an optimal treatment plan.

This week on the Think Neuro podcast, we welcome Dr. Tessa Hadlock, a leading facial nerve surgeon, educator, and innovator. A Professor of Otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Hadlock shares her inspiring journey into facial nerve surgery and her commitment to helping patients regain facial control. Joining her is Dr. Amit Kochhar, Director of the Facial Nerve Disorders Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. Together, they explore groundbreaking advancements in facial reanimation surgery for patients with facial paralysis. Dr. Hadlock is a strong advocate for "open-source" surgical techniques, emphasizing knowledge-sharing among surgeons to accelerate progress in the field—an ethos that resonates deeply with Dr. Kochhar at PNI. Tune in to discover how these two experts are transforming lives through innovation, collaboration, and a shared passion for restoring function and confidence in their patients.