Think Neuro

15. A Delicate Surgery That Cures Debilitating Facial Spasms | Dr. Neil A. Martin

Imagine a twitch that won’t go away. Worse yet, imagine that twitch is in your face. That’s what sufferers of hemifacial spasms experience, day in and day out. The spasms originate deep in the brain, where it connects with the spinal cord. In this crowded channel, the nerves that control facial muscles ride close by blood vessels. As those vessels age, they can sag and come into contact with one of the facial nerves. The pulsing of blood compresses the nerve, 70 times a minute, 24-hours a day...

Think Neuro Mini: Meet Dr. Chip K. Miller

Dr. Chipp Miller is a board-certified otolaryngologist with over 30 years of experience treating patients with the utmost quality of care. Affiliated with Providence Saint John’s Health Center and highly esteemed in his field, Dr. Miller's care thrives on patient understanding and participation. He takes pride in spending the time to discuss diagnosis and treatment options with each individual patient. In 2019, he transitioned over to Pacific Eye, Ear & Skull Base Center at Pacific Neurosci...

Think Neuro Mini: What is Cushing's disease - Dr. Daniel Kelly

The pituitary gland is called the “master gland” because it regulates all the hormones of the body. It doesn’t take much to disturb its function. A tiny tumor on the pituitary gland can cause the release of excess cortisol into the blood, which in turn causes Cushing’s disease, a far-reaching, often misdiagnosed disorder, that causes weight gain, high blood pressure, bone thinning, and even diabetes. The cure is to remove the tumor, which is no easy feat because the pituitary is located deep ...

Think Neuro Mini: Multiple Sclerosis & Fatigue with Dr. Giesser

Barbara S. Giesser, MD, FAAN, FANA, is an internationally recognized clinician and award-winning educator who has specialized in the care of persons with Multiple Sclerosis since 1982. Her approach to the diagnosis and management of persons with MS combines advanced diagnostics and a personalized medication plan for each patient with an emphasis on integrating lifestyle and wellness strategies into the neurologic treatment plan. For more information: pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org | (310) ...

14. Treating the Effects of Cancer on Mind and Spirit | Dr. Shanthi Gowrinathan

Treating cancer involves more than treating the body. The disease takes a toll on the mind, too, no matter what organ system it affects. Cancer and treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy come with mental costs as well. Depression, anxiety, cognitive symptoms, and insomnia are common after cancer treatment. There is also a syndrome that patients call “chemo brain” and doctors call “frontal lobe dysfunction.” It’s not an official diagnosis, but patients who suffer from it sa...

Think Neuro Mini: What is Facial Paralysis with Dr. Amit Kochhar

Dr. Amit Kochhar talks about the treatment of Facial Paralysis. Facial paralysis is devastating to one’s identity. Patients with facial paralysis experience physical, social, and emotional changes. At PNI, our specialists treat all types of facial paralysis and related conditions. Every face is unique and our team takes a compassionate, patient-centric approach to designing a unique treatment for each individual. For more information: pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org | (310) 582-7640

13. New Hope on Vanquishing Glioblastoma | Dr. Santosh Kesari

Unfortunately, a brain cancer called glioblastoma has a very poor prognosis but there is still a lot that can be done. Unlike other cancers that often develop as lumps with defined margins in the breast, say, glioblastomas not only present with a central mass but also send out microscopic tendrils into the brain, making them difficult to remove completely without damaging our most critical organ. There are powerful cancer drugs available but it can be challenging to get a full dose past the ...

13. New Hope on Vanquishing a Relentless Killer | Dr. Santosh Kesari

Ted Kennedy. John McCain. Beau Biden. They all died after developing a brain cancer called glioblastoma. If there’s one cancer you don’t want to get, it’s this one. Unlike other cancers that often develop as lumps with defined margins in the breast, say, glioblastomas not only present with a central mass but also send out microscopic tendrils into the brain, making them impossible to remove completely without damaging our most critical organ. Worse yet, it’s hard to get powerful cancer drugs ...

Think Neuro Mini: Meet Dr. Garni Barkhoudarian

Dr. Barkhoudarian is the Co-Director Pituitary Disorders Center, Neurosurgery; Director, Adult Hydrocephalus Center; Director, Facial Pain Center; Chief, Radiosurgery Program; Director, Saint Johns Cancer Institute / PNI Microdissection Anatomy Laboratory. He is a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon with a focus on skull base and minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. Dr. Barkhoudarian has particular interest and expertise in pituitary and parasellar tumors, brain tumors, skull-b...

12. Alzheimer’s: Too Common, and So Mysterious | Dr. Verna Porter

One in ten Americans who are 65 and older suffer from Alzheimer’s dementia. It’s the 6th leading cause of death in the country, and it is a scourge worldwide. But little is known about what causes Alzheimer’s, and cures have been elusive. Dr. Verna Porter specializes in treating people with Alzheimer’s, and she remains optimistic. Until we have a remedy, she advises people to eat well and get plenty of sleep. Patients with Alzheimer’s often have abnormal levels of a gummy plaque called amyloi...

Think Neuro Mini: Meet Dr. Abbas A.Anwar

Dr. Abbas Anwar, a native of Southern California, is a board-certified otolaryngologist – head and neck surgeon, at the Pacific Eye, Ear & Skull Base Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. He specializes in all aspects of general and pediatric ENT and has special interests in sinonasal diseases and infections, head and neck surgery, otologic disorders, and throat complaints. He is well trained in the latest leading-edge innovations in otolaryngology including balloon sinuplasty, CT guided ...

11. Combining Psychedelic Science and Wisdom at TRIP │A PNI Panel

After decades of stigma, psychedelic compounds from magic mushrooms are being rediscovered as a powerful treatment for alcoholism, drug addiction, and depression. This comes as no surprise to people like Françoise Bourzat, who has been guiding people on psychedelic journeys with psilocybin mushrooms for over three decades in Oaxaca, Mexico, where they are legal and considered sacred. Dr. Keith Heinzerling, an addiction medicine specialist and director of the new Treatment & Research in Psyche...

Think Neuro Mini: The MIND Diet with Dr. Petrossian

There are no specific diets that have been shown to reduce the progression of PD. However, there is good reason to believe that a well-balanced, nutritious diet would be best. In those without other medical conditions, the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurogenerative Delay (MIND) diet may be of benefit in Parkinson’s as well since both are neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Learn more | 319-582-7433 or visit PacificMovement.org

10. Surgery, Shamanism, and Psychedelics │Françoise Bourzat and Dr. Dan Kelly

Françoise Bourzat and Dr. Dan Kelly came to the psychedelic therapy movement from very different places. Bourzat, a somatic psychologist, has spent decades in the mountains of Mexico, learning the traditions and rituals around the use of psychedelic mushrooms. Dr. Kelly has spent years in operating rooms, removing brain tumors. But they couldn’t agree more on one big thing: psychedelics have the potential to transform mental health by helping millions of people who suffer from alcohol use dis...

Think Neuro Mini: Meet Dr. George Teitelbaum

Dr. George Teitelbaum is the director of the Pacific Stroke & Neurovascular Center. He has decades of experience treating aneurysms and cerebrovascular disease using neurointerventional procedures. For more information: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/about-us/our-team/ | (310) 582-7640

Think Neuro Mini: Movement Disorders with Dr. Jean-Philippe Langevin

Jean-Philippe Langevin, MD, is a board-certified and fellowship-trained neurosurgeon with a special interest in the surgical treatment of complex spine conditions and movement disorders. Selected as a multiple year recipient of the SuperDoctor Rising Stars Edition, he has extensive experience using advanced surgical techniques to treat his patients with compassion and care. He practices at PNI-South Bay / Spine Institute at Little Company of Mary in Torrance, California. For more information...

9. The Promise of Psychedelics | Dr. Keith Heinzerling & Louie Schwartzberg

Addiction and depression are two of the most widespread conditions in all of medicine. After decades of research, doctors are still looking for alternatives for when medication and cognitive training don’t work, which is all too often. Dr. Dan Kelly, one of the founders of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, thinks there is a game-changer in our midst: psilocybin. Better known as the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, psilocybin has demonstrated staggering results for people trying to kick...

Think Neuro Mini: Keyhole Brain Surgery with Dr. Daniel F. Kelly

Dr. Daniel F. Kelly, neurosurgeon, director, and founder at Pacific Neuroscience Institute explains the concept of keyhole surgery for the treatment of brain, skull base, and pituitary tumors. For more information: pacificneuro.org | (310) 582-7640

Think Neuro Mini: Meet Dr. Samuel Hou

Samuel Hou, MD, Ph.D., is a neuro-interventional surgeon (interventional neuroradiologist) at the Pacific Stroke and Neurovascular Center, serving the Providence Health System in Southern California. Dr. Hou’s surgical techniques specialize in the endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke, brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and arteriovenous fistulas of the brain and spine. He is board certified from the American Board of Radiology with a specific sub-specialization in diagn...

Think Neuro Mini: Multiple Sclerosis - Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) with Dr. Barbara Giesser

Barbara S. Giesser, MD, FAAN, FANA, is an internationally recognized clinician and award-winning educator who has specialized in the care of persons with Multiple Sclerosis since 1982. Her approach to the diagnosis and management of persons with MS combines advanced diagnostics and a personalized medication plan for each patient with an emphasis on integrating lifestyle and wellness strategies into the neurologic treatment plan. Learn about disease modifying therapies for the treatment of M...

8. Treating the “Suicide Disease” with a Light Touch | Dr. Garni Barkhoudarian

Ever heard of a disease called Trigeminal Neuralgia? It's called the "Suicide Disease" because it causes unbearable pain in the face and temples. It's often triggered by everyday things like brushing teeth, shaving, or putting on makeup. In many cases, the culprit is an out-of-place blood vessel that rubs against the trigeminal nerve in the side of the face. Other causes include tumors, infections, inflammatory conditions, or traumatic injury. Whatever the reason, the nerve short-circuits, br...

Think Neuro Mini: Treating Dystonia with Botox

Dystonia is a mysterious condition that causes muscles to contract involuntarily. It can strike many parts of the body, making the head turn, the eyelids close, or the hand twist. We don’t know what causes dystonia. It can arise after head trauma or a stroke, and it often appears in conjunction with Parkinson’s disease. There is no cure, but experts like Dr. Natalie Diaz, a neurologist at PNI, can ease the symptoms with medication. A treatment you may not expect: Botox. A natural toxin, Botox...

7. Embracing Aging: Helping Our Loved Ones, Helping Ourselves | Dr. Scott Kaiser

Dr. Scott Kaiser is a rare breed, and he shouldn’t be. He’s a geriatrician. There are only 7,000 of them in the U.S., even though 10,000 Americans are turning 65 every day. Part of the reason: Gerontology typically doesn’t pay as well as other specialties, so it often attracts people who are purely committed to the practice, like Dr. Kaiser. He loves his work because there is so much he can do for his patients, and so much they can do for themselves. Want to remain healthy in brain and body f...

Embracing Aging: Helping Our Loved Ones, Helping Ourselves | Dr. Scott Kaiser

Dr. Scott Kaiser is a rare breed, and he shouldn’t be. He’s a geriatrician. There are only 7,000 of them in the U.S., even though 10,000 Americans are turning 65 every day. Part of the reason: Gerontology typically doesn’t pay as well as other specialties, so it often attracts people who are purely committed to the practice, like Dr. Kaiser. He loves his work because there is so much he can do for his patients, and so much they can do for themselves. Want to remain healthy in brain and body f...

Think Neuro Mini: The Importance of Sleep Hygiene with Dr. Natalie Diaz

In 1993, the rock band Bon Jovi recorded a song called I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead. We’ve learned a lot since then, namely, that sleep is just as important as food and water. Sleep is like a shower for the brain, according to PNI neurologist Dr. Natalie Diaz. It washes away toxic compounds, some of which may be associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It also helps us preserve important memories and purge the neural connections we don’t need. In this Think Neuro Mini, Dr. Diaz tells ...

6. Meet Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery’s Pathfinder | Dr. Chester Griffiths

When patients ask him what he does in brain and pituitary surgeries, Dr. Chester Griffiths tells them that he “opens the curtains for the main event.” Dr. Griffiths is a head and neck surgeon, and it’s his job to get brain surgeons where they need to go. For the minimally invasive brain and pituitary surgery done at PNI, that means creating the pathway through the nose and sinuses and into the base of the brain, so his colleagues can remove tumors without making large holes in the skull. Than...

Think Neuro Mini: Meet Dr. Kian Karimi

Kian Karimi, MD, FACS, is a double-board certified facial plastic surgeon/head and neck surgeon at the Pacific Eye, Ear & Skull Base Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. He has a particular interest in rhinoplasty, minimally invasive facial rejuvenation, and ethics. At Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Providence Saint John’s Health Center, Dr. Karimi specializes in surgical treatments of nasal airway obstruction, sinus disease, skin cancer reconstruction, and endonasal endoscopic removal ...

Think Neuro Mini: Cushing's Disease with Dr. Katherine Araque

Dr. Katherine Araque is a board-certified endocrinologist at Pacific Pituitary Disorders Center. As Director of Endocrinology at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, she oversees clinical trials and the clinical care of patients with endocrine conditions. Dr. Araque provides special expertise in clinical and research projects in the diagnosis and treatment of pituitary hormone deficiency in adults, Cushing’s disease, prolactinomas, acromegaly, sellar masses and other pituitary tumors. She is a mem...

5. Keep Your Brain Fit with Pickleball, Ping Pong & Dance | Ryan Glatt

Exercise doesn’t just give you bigger muscles. It gives you a bigger brain. Scientists have measured brain volume in people who exercise and those who don’t. The exercisers had more. Why? Because movement challenges our minds. It keeps us sharp, especially as we age. And different activities strengthen different parts of our grey matter. Just like a healthy diet, a healthy exercise regimen is varied: some strength training, some resistance training, some aerobics. Don’t worry, you don’t have ...

Meet Dr. Daniel F. Kelly

Dr. Daniel Kelly, a board certified neurosurgeon, is Director of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute and Professor of Neurosurgery at the John Wayne Cancer Institute. Considered to be one of the best neurosurgeons in the US and a multiple recipients of the Patients' Choice Award, Dr. Kelly is internationally recognized in the field of minimally invasive keyhole surgery for brain, pituitary, and skull base tumors. He has one of the world's largest series in endonasal surgery with over 2000 proc...

4: With Stroke Victims, Speed Saves Lives | Dr. Jason Tarpley

3: Eye See, In Orbit With | Dr. Howard Krauss

Before he became a surgeon in Santa Monica, Dr. Howard Krauss worked as an aerospace engineer for Hughes Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California. In making the switch, he traded one kind of orbit for another. He came out of earth’s orbit and into the human ones: the two sockets in the skull that hold the eyes and all their accompanying structures. He is one of a few surgical neuro-ophthalmologists on the planet who specializes in surgery within the orbit. He and his colleagues at PNI have ...

3. Eye See – In Orbit With | Dr. Howard Krauss

Before he became a surgeon in Santa Monica, Dr. Howard Krauss worked as an aerospace engineer for Hughes Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California. In making the switch, he traded one kind of orbit for another. He came out of earth’s orbit and into the human ones: the two sockets in the skull that hold the eyes and all their accompanying structures. He is one of a few surgical neuro-ophthalmologists on the planet who specializes in surgery within the orbit. He and his colleagues at PNI have ...

2. Taking On Parkinson’s Disease With Boxing Gloves | Dr. Melita Petrossian

A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease today doesn’t mean the same as it did even just a few years ago. There have been nine new medications for Parkinson’s disease and its related symptoms in the past five years, and we are understanding the importance of lifestyle now more than ever. People with Parkinson’s disease can make lifestyle changes that can slow the disease, and even improve their condition. Chief among them is exercise. Not just hitting the treadmill but doing new things that challen...

Think Neuro Trailer

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

1: A Tiny Tunnel to the Brain & Pituitary: Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery and The Origins of our Institute | Dr. Daniel Kelly

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

1: A Tiny Tunnel Below the Brain: The Least Invasive Pituitary Surgery There Is| Dr. Daniel Kelly

Brain and pituitary tumors are scary. Always aiming toward treatment and cure, neurosurgeon, Dr. Daniel Kelly takes us on a journey exploring the nuances of minimally invasive surgery.