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April 2024 | Dale Bredesen, MD, is an internationally recognized neurologist with specialty expertise in the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. He is the senior director of Precision Brain Health at Pacific Neuroscience Institute®. His expertise in neurodegenerative diseases drives groundbreaking advancements in personalized treatment for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. From decoding unique biomarkers to cognitive testing, Dr. Bredesen's work provides hope in tackling diseases of cognitive decline.

pacificneuro.org/precision

Use the term “vocal cords” and most people think of the structure that lets us talk, sing and yell. But these folds of throat tissue do much more. Among their most important functions is sealing off the trachea, or windpipe, when we eat or drink, to keep foods and liquids from getting into our lungs. Romina Huerta, a speech-language pathologist at PNI, knows all about the vocal cords. Long before her medical career began, she learned the violin and became a singer. These days, she’s a member of the Grammy-nominated band Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles. That experience helps her understand what ails other professional singers who come to her for help with overworked vocal cords. She’s been there and done that. She also treats people who have swallowing disorders, which are often caused by dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Strokes and brain injuries also bring patients into PNI, where Romina works with our otolaryngologists—surgeons and doctors who treat the ear, nose and throat. Listen to this episode to learn how Romina helps singers and others care for their vocal cords.

Michael Yong, MD, MPH, MBA, is board certified in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, and fellowship-trained in Neurorhinology – Advanced Sinus & Skull Base Surgery. At Pacific Neuroscience Institute®, Dr. Yong provides full-service general Otolaryngology care, with an expertise in sinonasal and skull base disorders. He specializes in using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques for the treatment of nasal obstruction, smell disorders, allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, facial pain, acute and chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, and benign and malignant tumors of the sinonasal cavities, among others. In addition, he works closely with a multidisciplinary team including his Neurosurgery colleagues to perform endoscopic endonasal surgeries that address benign and malignant skull base disorders in a way that maximizes preservation of function and quality of life.

Michelle Holmes, OD, is a full-scope optometrist at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute®. She sees patients at both the Eye, Ear and Skull Base Center as well as at the Brain Health Center. She is board certified and TLG licensed to treat and manage ocular disease. She prides herself in practicing evidence-based medicine with a genuine enthusiasm for human connection.

She earned her undergraduate degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental biology from the University of Washington, Seattle. After her mother was diagnosed with a rare eye disease, she was inspired to pursue her Doctor of Optometry. She went on to complete her degree at the University of California, Berkeley. Her strong interest in ocular disease led her to successfully complete clinical externships at Omni Eye Services in the greater New York City area, the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, and the Miami VA Hospital. She graduated with the distinction of Honors in Research and Clinical Science for her thesis on the efficacy of orthokeratology lenses for myopia control. This work was accepted for publication in Optometry and Vision Science (OVS), Journal of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Holmes is a current member of the American Optometric Association (AOA), the California Optometric Association (COA), and the Los Angeles County Optometric Association (LACOS).

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is a condition caused by elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the brain. The symptoms of this condition mimic those of a brain tumor, giving it the name pseudotumor cerebri, meaning "false brain tumor." The increased pressure can cause swelling of the optic nerve and can result in loss of vision. Medications can often reduce the pressure and headache, but surgery is necessary in some cases.

Alexander M. Solomon, MD, is a neuro-ophthalmologist and strabismus surgeon at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica and Torrance, CA. Dr. Solomon’s personal philosophy is that each patient is individual and that diagnosis and optimal management of any disease is best carried out in conjunction with patient and family education, and understanding. His skillset includes visual field analysis and optical coherence tomography interpretation, as well as advanced adult strabismus diagnosis and treatment including thyroid eye disease, cranial nerve palsies, and orbital disease.

Clinic: 310-829-8701
Dr. Solomon: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/alexander-solomon/
Consultation: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/eye-ent/our-center/schedule-a-consultation/
Website: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/eye-ent/vision/

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that damages the nerves. It affects about a million people in the U.S., primarily women. Join us for “Multiple Sclerosis Explained” where podcast host Kym Douglas talks with Pacific Neuroscience Institute physician Dr. Barbara Giesser about MS symptoms, the importance of early diagnosis, and the medication, symptom management, and lifestyle options now available for controlling the disease.