A PNI Minute

Dr. Melita Petrossian, neurologist and director at Pacific Movement Disorders Center talks about brain neuroplasticity as it relates to Parkinson's disease. For more information or a consultation, visit pacificmovement.org or contact us at 310-582-7433.

Using ketamine in a psychedelic-assisted approach, we treat people 16 years and older who are treatment-resistant or who wish to effectively tackle deep-rooted, unresolved trauma that has not been adequately addressed by other treatment options. Ketamine is approved for use at high doses as an anesthetic in the operating room. Although not FDA-approved, lower dose “sub-anesthetic” ketamine injections are used “off-label” to treat depression, pain, and other mental health/substance use disorders. Our program includes one or a few in-clinic ketamine dosing sessions under clinician supervision integrated with preparatory and integration counseling. By harnessing the potential psychedelic effects of ketamine, we aim to achieve more sustained results with fewer ketamine treatments compared to IV ketamine infusions without accompanying psychotherapy. Conditions we Treat with Ketamine Patients with the following conditions may be eligible for psychedelic-assisted therapy with ketamine. Major Depression Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Anxiety disorders End-of-life existential crisis Palliative care for disease Drug use disorders Alcohol use disorders Chronic pain

Dr. Courtney Voelker explains about acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor that affects the nerve for hearing and balance. Find out about signs and symptoms, and the three treatment options that are available. 310-447-5558 https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/eye-ent/hearing/conditions/acoustic-neuroma/ https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/eye-ent/people/courtney-voelker/

Dr. Akanksha Sharma is a neuro-oncologist and palliative medicine specialist at the Pacific Brain Tumor Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA. To provide extra resources to brain cancer patients suffering with brain tumors such as glioblastoma and their cargivers, Dr. Sharma opened a Supportive Care Clinic in 2020. The clinic offers services to deal with symptoms, quality of life, caregiver burden and distress, and help alleviate suffering. PacificBrainTumor.org | 310-829-8265

Dr. Barbara Geisser, a neurologist who specializes in treating multiple sclerosis at Pacific Neuroscience Institute discusses some of the most common symptoms experienced by those who suffer from MS. Fatigue is among one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis and this fatigue can be so severe that it begins to interfere with day to day activities for some patients. This fatigue is caused by damage to nerves, but can be made worse by contributing factors like poor sleep, medications effects or other medical conditions. There are several treatments for fatigue, including a number of medications, but looking for other factors such as sleep disturbances or medications that may have a sedating effect as well as other medical conditions that may contribute to fatigue, such as low thyroid or anemia. Other strategies that can help improve MS fatigue is exercise. Fatigue is very common for those who have multiple sclerosis but it is very treatable. Contact the Pacific Neuroscience Institute for more information today.

Dr. Neil Martin talks about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of hemifacial spasms. Hemifacial spasm is a syndrome of recurring facial muscle twitches and spasms that can occur when the facial nerve is irritated or compressed by a blood vessel that courses along the brainstem.

Experienced neurosurgeon Dr. Neil Martin talks about AVMs in the brain and how they are treated.

Dr. Amit Kochhar talks about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Bell's Palsy. Bell’s palsy is a paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of your face. Fortunately, the majority of patients will recover normal or near-normal facial nerve function with medication only.

Dr. Amit Kochhar talks about symptoms and diagnosis of paralysis due to facial nerve syndromes. 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.