Brain Health

A PNI Minute: Dr. Karen Miller discusses the Brain Wellness & Lifestyle Program available at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California. The expert team provides a wide range of specialized classes designed to strategically address your cognitive concerns. Whether you prefer individual or group sessions, we offer flexible options to suit your needs. Our programs are available both virtually and in-person, ensuring accessibility and convenience. For people with cognitive concerns including mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and other dementias, these classes address: Memory, sleep, nutrition, exercise, & stress. https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/brain-health/about-lifestyle-program/ For more information, please contact: 213-344-2037 | Lifestyle@pacificneuro.org 1301 20th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Karen Miller, PhD, Senior Director of Brain Wellness & Lifestyle at Pacific Neuroscience Institute provides a comprehensive overview of the program. • Learn about how the expert team helps individuals and families process and cope with a diagnosis of cognitive decline (Alzheimer's, dementia, mild cognitive impairment etc.). 🔹 Discover the capabilities of our brain health and wellness coaches to use evidence-baed approaches to help stabilize cognitive decline. 🔹 Explore the resources that we provide for care partners. 🔹 Delve into the courses that pertain to anyone interested in protecting their brain health. Find out more: Brain Wellness & Lifestyle: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/brain-health/lifestyle/ Email: lifestyle@pacificneuro.org 213-344-2037

For decades, people thought physical exercise benefited only the body. But every year we learn how incorrect that was, and Dr. David Merrill, director of PNI’s brain health center, is one of the people pushing our knowledge forward. It turns out that exercise builds the brain by prompting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF. “Trophic” compounds cause things to grow, and BDNF helps create new connections among neurons, which is how we learn. In short, BDNF is fertilizer for the brain, Dr. Merrill says. In a perfect world, we would be able to take BDNF in a pill, like a vitamin. But it’s a big, clunky molecule that doesn’t pass easily from blood to brain. Exercise gets the job done, boosting BDNF and keeping our brains nimble. That fact makes exercise crucial as we age. Pumping iron, and therefore pumping up BDNF, promotes brain plasticity: the ability to change, grow and adapt to the insults that come with growing older. Listen to this episode to hear how you can boost BDNF through exercise and stay sharp into your golden years. Clinic: 310-582-7641

At the Pacific Brain Health Center, geriatric psychiatrist Dr. David Merrill treats middle-aged and older adults. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive methodology to treat depression taking advantage of the electrical nature of the brain to help modulate mood. Clinic consultation: 310-582-7641 https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/brain-health/diagnostics-procedures/tms/ https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/brain-health/schedule-a-consultation/ https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/david-merrill/

In less than 10 minutes you can relax though this guided deep breathing meditation. PacificNeuro.org

Jesús O. Barreto Abrams, PhD, is a clinical neuropsychologist at the Pacific Brain Health Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute. He evaluates patients in American Sign Language (ASL), Spanish, or English. He mainly works with adult and older adults with cognitive concerns consulting with physician and other allied health professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of neurocognitive disorders due to neurological conditions (e.g., dementias, strokes, traumatic brain injuries) and other medical illnesses (e.g., COVID-19, cancer). Dr. Barreto Abrams also occasionally holds a pediatric neuropsychological clinic specialized in working with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children with neuropsychological concerns. Further, he serves as a neuropsychologist liaison to the cochlear implant (CI) team at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute assisting with candidacy evaluations for children and adults who may have neuropsychological concerns. https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/jesus-barreto-abrams/ https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/brain-health/our-center/

Jesús O. Barreto Abrams, PhD, es neuropsicólogo clínico en Pacific Brain Health Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute. Evalúa a los pacientes en lenguaje de señas americano (ASL), español o inglés. Trabaja principalmente con adultos y adultos mayores con problemas cognitivos consultando con médicos y otros profesionales de la salud relacionados en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de trastornos neurocognitivos debido a condiciones neurológicas (p. ej., demencias, accidentes cerebrovasculares, lesiones cerebrales traumáticas) y otras enfermedades médicas (p. ej., COVID -19, cáncer). https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/jesus-barreto-abrams/ https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/brain-health/ PNI-South Bay 5215 Torrance Blvd #300 Torrance, CA 90503 424-212-5361

Jesús O. Barreto Abrams, PhD, is a clinical neuropsychologist at the Pacific Brain Health Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute. He evaluates patients in American Sign Language (ASL), Spanish, or English. He mainly works with adult and older adults with cognitive concerns consulting with physician and other allied health professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of neurocognitive disorders due to neurological conditions (e.g., dementias, strokes, traumatic brain injuries) and other medical illnesses (e.g., COVID-19, cancer). Dr. Barreto Abrams also occasionally holds a pediatric neuropsychological clinic specialized in working with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children with neuropsychological concerns. Further, he serves as a neuropsychologist liaison to the cochlear implant (CI) team at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute assisting with candidacy evaluations for children and adults who may have neuropsychological concerns. https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/jesus-barreto-abrams/ https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/brain-health/our-center/ PNI-South Bay | 424-212-5361

This is part of a series of “How To” videos for our families, specifically focused on care partners. The information presented here however is universal and can benefit anyone. There are often many questions about starting a meditation practice. Learn more through this informative video. https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/ https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/brain-tumor/our-center/supportive-care-clinic/

Ian McCall is a former professional MMA fighter who suffered from symptoms of traumatic brain injuries. After retirement, McCall experienced confusion, anger issues, depression, and suicidal ideation. Feeling hopeless, he turned to a less traditional form of medicine: psilocybin mushrooms. In this short documentary film by Maryssa Rillo, she explores the fall out of TBI, and talks to Dr. Daniel F. Kelly, neurosurgeon, neuroscientist, and Founder at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, about the potential application and benefits of psychedelic medicines. #mentalhealth #braininjury #mentalhealthawareness #psychedelic #cte #braininjury #athletes #athletementalhealth #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #psychedelictherapy #sportsjournalism #sportsjournalist #tbiawareness