Think Neuro

Smell loss after viral infections can be difficult to manage. Dr. Yong uses various techniques to target smell recovery which is a complex process involving neurons in the nose and brain. Smell is intricately linked in both emotional and functional terms with quality of life. Learn more about smell dysfunction and treatment.

Having a healthy voice is important for everyone, whether you are a professional singer, teacher, salesperson or simply like to read aloud to your grandchildren. Similarly, our ability to swallow is an essential part of everyday life and when comprised can feel frustrating and even embarrassing in public settings. If you suffer from hoarseness or trouble with your voice or throat, our team of expe...

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 patie...

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 retur...

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 salivar...

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 techn...

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 an...

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 an...

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 a...

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...

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 treatment...

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 trea...

Charles was living a full life when Parkinson's disease hit. Although a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting movement, there are many medical treatments available to help with symptom management. While Levadopa, the standard of care treatment helped Charles with his symptoms of tremor, he was unable to tolerate it due to the extreme Restless Legs Syndrome he developed. Deep Brain Stimul...

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). Dr. Wu earned her medical degree from Howard University and completed her...

Located in Los Angeles, we are here for patients from around the globe. If you are living outside the greater Los Angeles area, out-of-state, or abroad, and want a consultation for a newly diagnosed or recurrent pituitary tumor, brain tumor, skull base tumor, or orbital tumor, our physicians can promptly review your imaging studies and other tests, and provide a recommendation on treatment options...

More than 20% of adults over the age of 55 experience depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline as they age. Shannel Elhelou, PsyD and Ryan Glatt, MS, CPT, NBC-HWC, however, are firm believers in six core pillars for combating cognitive decline. They're called the Vital 6 and consist of stress management, sleep, nutrition, exercise, socialization, and cognitive training. By focusing on interventi...

On New Year's Eve of 2017 Ashley had a seizure and passed out. She woke up in an ambulance, passed out again and woke up in an emergency room. An MRI revealed a glioma, a type of brain tumor. After surgery, recovery has been long, but in the hands of expert neuro-oncologist Dr. Naveed Wagle at Pacific Neuroscience Institute - South Bay, Ashley is hopeful, determined, and full of her original spiri...

Tonsil stones are small, calcified formations that occur within the crevices of the tonsils. Composed of hardened minerals or food particles, these growths are generally harmless but can cause unpleasant symptoms such as bad breath or sore throat. Tonsil stones typically appear as small, white or yellowish pebbles on the tonsils. In most cases, they can be removed at home, although surgical interv...

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL), or sudden deafness, is a rapid loss of hearing. SSHL can happen to a person all at once or over a period of up to 3 days. It should be considered a medical emergency. Hearing loss affects only one ear in 9 out of 10 people who experience SSHL. Many people notice it when they wake up in the morning. Others first notice it when they try to use the deafened e...

Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, is a virus that infects the skin and wet surfaces of the body. It's a disease that's commonly spread through sexual activity, and over 80% of people will get it at some point in their lifetime. HPV is an endemic disease, which, in epidemiology, means that it is constantly present in a particular population. While most people recover from HPV, there can be complication...

The eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx (back of the nose). It helps aerate the middle ear as well as equalizing pressure such as when flying in an airplane. Sometimes the eustachian tube does not function as it is supposed to and sometimes this may be related to concurrent nasal and sinus issues. Learn more about what can go wrong and how to remedy it. Michael Yong, MD, MPH...

Dr. Daniel Kelly, Neurosurgeon, Director and Founder, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, presents a case study of a 52 year old woman from New York who was experiencing progressive vision loss. After an MRI, she traveled to Los Angeles to receive minimally invasive keyhole surgery for a meningioma (brain tumor). Using a endoscopic, endonasal approach, the patient's tumor was removed via the nostril.

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 profes...

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 trem...

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, doct...