This month’s ‘Ask the Expert’ segment features Nader Pouratian, MD, a neurosurgeon whose biography is listed below.
1. Are there new therapies for glioblastomas?
Glioblastoma is one of the most challenging diagnoses that we treat as neurosurgeons. The mainstay of initial treatment is surgical resection followed by temozolomide and radiation. Approved second line therapies include bevacizumab (avastin) and novocure (electric fields). However, given the rate of progression, doctors and scientists are constantly looking for new therapies so there are countless clinical trials related to glioblastoma. The most common and promising areas of research and study are in immune modulating therapies, either using tumor “vaccines” to stimulate the immune system to fight the tumor or using therapies that enhance the immune system’s response to the tumor. To find out more, check out clinicaltrials.gov and use keyword “glioblastoma.”
2. I’ve heard about stimulation therapy for movement disorders- how helpful is this?
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an FDA approved therapy for the treatment of Parkinson disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. DBS is similar to cardiac pacemakers that we are all much more familiar with, but instead of setting a rhythm for the heart, the system stimulates the brain in very specific regions. Each diagnosis has its own indications. For Parkinson disease, we use DBS when patients develop complications of the drugs used to treat Parkinson disease – like dyskinesias and dystonias – and when patients develop motor fluctuations. For essential tremor, on the other hand, we use DBS when patients have tried first line therapies (primidone and propranalol) and have unsatisfactory results. When used in the properly selected patients, the therapies are very effective at improving the symptoms of movement disorders. You can find more information at www.dbs.ucla.edu. I also have several youtube videos you can check out: https://www.youtube.com/
3. I watched the video you were featured in and was amazed- has there been progress in your research into quadriplegics moving objects with their thoughts?
4. Are there any new treatment for MS-related trigeminal neuralgia?
5. How many years does it take one to become a neurosurgeon?
6. How do you cope with the long hours of work as a neurosurgeon and having a family?
This is one of the greatest challenges of having a busy career, not just in neurosurgery but in any field. Striking a balance is difficult and everyone does it in their own way. My family understands that I work very hard during the week and I try to reserve my weekends for family and friends.
Nader Pouratian, MD, is the Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Neurosurgery at UCLA. You can check out some of Dr. Pouratian’s latest work in some of the latest articles he’s been featured in, such as this one in Daily mail, in which he talks about the world’s first bionic eye, or this youtube video, in which his work shows a quadriplegic who can, once a chip has been implanted into her brain, move things on a screen using only her thoughts. Also check out this Eyewitness News feature, in which he discusses a new device that can help movement in Parkinson’s Disease.
9 Responses
Hi my name is Fasika and my mom has both meningioma and ddx-Pituitary macro adenoma her results show that the brain window there is a 3.5 *3 cm well defined sellar mass lesion with superasellar extention seen.
the mass is isodense on the precontrast and highly enhancing on the post contrast images.there is narrowing of adjacent vessels but no sellar widening senn
-normal mid brain,brain stem and cerebellar hemispheres.
-no mid line shift
-normal pineal gland
-no epidural or sub dular collection.
-normal bilaateral orbital contents
Bone window:
-no evidence of fracture
-no lytic or scierotic bony change
-normal orbits
-well pneumatized sinuses and mastoids
please tell me if there is any solution whether it is surgery or medication please help
Hi Fasika, this site is not meant to treat individual cases, but rather provide general information on medical and non-medical topics. I recommend you speak with your physician your mother and wish both you and her good health.
My grandmother is 71yrs and having brain issues like restlessness. Recently she fainted and was admitted to hospital.
In CT scan report it is written “there is evidence of diffuse cortical atropy involving both cerebral hemispheres with secondary enlargement of supratentorial sulci and spaces.
Moderate periventricular white matter hypodensities are noted around the lateral ventricles suggestive of microangiopathic periventricular ischemic changes.
Chronic lacunar infarcts are seen bilateral basal ganglia and brain stem.
Hi Narendra,
This site is meant for general commentaries from physicians, and not as a personal consultation, as written out in our legal disclaimer. Please speak to your own physician regarding the medical condition described, or contact Dr. Pouratian outside of this website for his office location and hours. Thank you for visiting and reading!
It’s insightful to learn that there is an approved therapeutic procedure to treat Parkinson’s disease called DBS, simulating the brain in specific areas for it’s full utilization hence opposing its gradual deterioration. This is probably something that my neighbor would do for his mom who’s been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for 6 months now. He is not losing hope in finding a cure for his mom and is doing the best that he can to support her in her medicines and daily check-ups. I will share this post with him and hopefully seek the help of a reputable neurosurgeon who can look into his mom’s condition and give the treatment necessary while it’s early.
Hello,
My question is why would a nuerosurgeon not want to replace a bone flap in the skull so a patient can resume their normal activity? Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Danny
Is there anu scan that can tell me if my dr actually did a kyphoplasty or a vertabplasty
I know from what I have read that you should be checked for cerebral aneurysm if you have 2 first degree family members with ruptured aneurysms. I am wondering about multiple generations? Mother, Mom’s sister, Mom’s Uncle on her mother’s side. If so how often if any.
My brother in ICU from last 3 day after head surgery can he will able to come to the normal position