Did you know that more than 55 million people worldwide live with Alzheimer’s? Alzheimer’s is one of the hard-to-treat diseases that attack the brain. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s and only minimal treatments for other brain-related diseases like Parkinson’s.

What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is a fatal disease that kills nerve cells and tissue in the brain, affecting an individual’s ability to remember, think, and plan. Ultimately, those with the disease will lose their ability to communicate, recognize family and friends, and care for themselves.

Being Aware Can Help

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. The CDC expects that number to climb to about 95 million by 2060. Currently, Alzheimer’s is ranked as the sixth leading cause of death among U.S. adults. The number of people who live with Alzheimer’s doubles every five years after the age of 65.

In more than 90% of cases of Alzheimer’s, symptoms do not show until after age 60.

Here Are the Top Five signs of Alzheimer’s:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life: Forgetting events, repeating yourself, or relying on more aids to help you remember (like sticky notes or reminders).
• Challenges in planning or solving problems: Having trouble paying bills or cooking recipes you have used for years.
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or during leisure: Having problems with cooking, driving, using a cell phone, or shopping.
• Confusion with time or place: Having trouble understanding an event that is happening later or losing track of dates.
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations: Having more difficulty with balance or judging distance, tripping over things at home, or spilling or dropping things more often.

Things You Can Do to Help Your Brain

According to alz.org, there is growing evidence that you can reduce your risk of cognitive decline by adopting key lifestyle habits.

Here are some things you can do to keep your brain healthy:

• Follow your heart: Monitor your blood pressure, get tested for diabetes, and maintain cardiovascular health.
• Take care of your head: Wear a seat belt and a helmet when playing contact sports or riding a bike.
• Eat a balanced diet: Focus on fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Get some sleep: Keep your thinking and memory sharp.
• Take care of your mental health: Seek treatment if you suffer from depression or anxiety.
• Stay socially engaged: See friends and family regularly.
• Challenge your mind: Engage in activities that require deep thinking, like building something or playing strategy games.
• Exercise: Elevate your heart rate, increase blood flow, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
• Continue learning: Take classes to keep your brain active.
• Stop smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of cognitive decline.

UCR Health’s Specially Trained Providers Are Here to Help Keep You Healthy

During Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and every month, we’re here to help keep you healthy and your brain engaged.

Talk to your UCR Health primary care provider for more information. If you don't have a primary care provider, find one by visiting https://www.ucrhealth.org/make-an-appointment/ or give us a call at 1-844-827-8000.

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What is Parkinson's disease? Who is at risk and affected by it?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a Neurogenerative disease causing progressive loss/death of cells/neurons in the entire nervous system most notably those that control movement, but also for example smell, bowel movements, sleep, cognition/memory, and blood pressure. There are currently at least 1 million people affected by Parkinson's disease in the United States. This disease is mostly seen after the age of 50 years and about 1% of people above the age of 50 years have this disease. Men have a slightly higher risk of developing Parkinson's than women (1.5:1), shares Dr. Sebti.

What are the symptoms of Parkinson's disease? What are the causes?

There are many factors that can cause Parkinson's disease, PD, but a definite cause or causes of PD are still unknown. Only <10% of PD patients have a clear genetic cause. For over 90% of PD patients, the cause or causes are unknown, but environmental factors are known to increase risk, for example, exposure to pesticides. Dr. Song further shares, the number one risk factor for PD is “AGE”. The older you are, the higher the risk. Only <10% of PD patients have a clear genetic cause. Genetics plays a complex role in the majority (>90%) of PD patients. Having one first-degree relative (parent or sibling) with PD doubles the “lifetime risk” of PD.

What's the difference between tremors and Parkinson's disease?

Dr. Song explains that tremors are rhythmic oscillatory movements that can occur “with ACTION” or “AT REST” and be a “symptom” or “sign” of a condition. Tremor is NOT a disorder or disease in it itself. Parkinson’s disease is a “disease” or “syndrome” defined by clinical criteria when strictly followed are highly accurate, that includes including tremors only at rest as one of the criteria for diagnosis but is NOT necessary nor sufficient for a diagnosis.

There are many different types of tremors. The most common form is an essential tremor that is more prevalent than Parkinson's. As was noted above tremor at rest is only one of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and by itself is not indicative of Parkinson's disease. In fact, about 20% of patients with Parkinson's disease do not have the tremor, Dr. Sebti adds.

What is the treatment for Parkinson's Disease?

There is NO cure for PD. There are ONLY symptomatic treatments to treat the symptoms of PD. Nearly all symptomatic treatments for PD are for Motor or Movement symptoms. There are very few to no treatments for NONmotor symptoms. There have been multiple discoveries in controlling the symptoms of Parkinson's but by far the most effective one has been L-dopa. L-dopa is able to enter the brain and the brain metabolizes it into dopamine. There are other medications. There are also surgical interventions that are in the right population and are very effective. In order to diagnose Parkinson's disease and choose the best therapy, the patient should be seen by a neurologist and preferably a movement disorder specialist.

Would you like to speak to a physician more about Parkinson’s disease? To speak to a physician and schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with a UCR Health Physician here or call us at 1-844-827-8000.

About UCR Health

UCR Health is comprised of a team of physicians, specialists, and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving people’s health. With five medical offices located throughout Inland Empire and Coachella Valley, UCR Health is growing to meet the healthcare needs of the region, bringing innovative, culturally sensitive medical care to the community. Established alongside the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, UCR Health’s patient-centered primary care and specialty services deliver university-based healthcare excellence and innovation to all communities.

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To watch Dr. Rosenberg's latest webinar on the "Management of Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms," please visit our Youtube page.

To make an appointment, please visit https://www.ucrhealth.org/make-an-appointment/

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Samer S. Ghostine, MD specializes in Neurosurgery, and Complex Spine Surgery at the UCR Health Inland Empire Neurosurgery Center. Dr. Ghostine is the chief of neurosurgery at UCR, and is Vice-Chairman of Neurosurgery and the Director of neuroscience at Riverside Community Hospital. Dr. Ghostine received his board certification from the American Board of Neurological Surgery and is currently a Professor of Neurological Surgery at UC Riverside School of Medicine. Dr. Ghostine is fluent in English, Arabic, and French. He can get by with some Spanish (beginner level). Additionally, Dr. Ghostine is affiliated with memberships that include the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurosurgical Surgeons, California Association of Neurological Surgeons. He serves on the board of directors for the California Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ghostine here → https://www.ucrhealth.org/make-an-appointment/

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I met Judy during my senior year of medical school and after graduation, we attached our two cars together and started our adventure across the country to Los Angeles.  We detoured to Denver, Colorado to join friends to be spontaneously married on June 18, 1968.  We had briefly discussed each other’s various infirmities. Mine was one of a hereditary bone condition that had required numerous surgeries which she had already researched.  I knew very little of her medical history; however, during my time off of work, I became aware of a drop foot and difficulty with vision out of one eye.   She raised an issue of possible Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  Being quite naive at the time, we had no idea of the implications and meaning of the words “Multiple Sclerosis”.  We honeymooned the rest of the way arriving in Los Angeles in late June, and we settled in South Pasadena.  

On July 1, I began my internship at the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center. The Vietnam War had escalated and as a physician, my 4-F status was changed to 1-A.  LAC-USC Medical Center’s house staff was immense.  One half of the staff had already served in Vietnam and the other half listened to their war stories.  As a result, I decided I wanted no part of Vietnam.  I had planned, and I was admitted into several psychiatric residencies but without a military deferment, I could not proceed.  In I969, the army had drafted too many physicians. As a result, they offered one-year deferments which I enthusiastically accepted, but psychiatric residencies wanted 3-year continuity and refused to admit me. Rotating on neurology at the time, a residency position became available.  I believed a year of neurology would be helpful in a psychiatry residency, and I filled the spot.  Several months into the neurology program, I was granted a 3-year deferment in psychiatry.   I found neurology fascinating, and I signed on the dotted line to complete the three-year residency. 

During that first year of residency, Judy was employed by Los Angeles Children Hospital as one of the first pediatric dialysis nurses. She had several episodes of numbness and tingling moving up from the feet to the waist.  I was concerned about the stress of working nights, but she was not.  We decided to seek neurological consultation and made an appointment with one of my favorite professors.   She met with us, took a history, and performed an examination promptly informing us that the diagnosis was multiple sclerosis.  This was immediately followed by her major advice, “you should have no children.”  Having reviewed the literature on pregnancy and MS, I had consumed several articles that reported no adverse effects of pregnancy and in fact, stated that there may be a benefit.   Subsequently, I learned my professor was influenced by a painful experience of an “n of one” (a single patient) who deteriorated and became severely incapacitated in the middle of her pregnancy.   For the next twenty minutes, the professor described in vivid detail her own children.  Until much later in my career, it didn't impact upon me how this behavior demonstrated a true lack of empathy.    

We went on to have two normal and uneventful pregnancies.   A daughter was born and immediately afterwards an IUD was placed for contraception.  Ten and a half months later, my son was born.  Only afterwards, did we discover that at the time of IUD insertion, it had penetrated through the uterine wall and settled in the left pelvic gutter.   After the children were born, Judy never returned to work.  Caring for two “Irish Twins” was a challenging task and required 181 diapers per week (pampers were not as readily available at the time). 

At the end of residency training, the Army decided they didn’t want to assume my medical care the rest of my life and I was discharged.  I joined the neurology department of Kaiser Permanente in San Diego as the first, full time neurologist.  In the early years not only did my practice encompass all adult neurology but also pediatric neurology.  I was made Chief of Neurology in 1973 and began to build a department that ultimately consisted of one pediatric neurologist and 9 adult neurologists. 

As the sole neurologist in the group, I was busy working day and night.   I engaged and fathered my children to the best of my abilities.  In our household, Judy practiced the “no talk rule” when it came to Multiple Sclerosis.  As denial was her major coping defense mechanism, I passively concurred.   She did not discuss nor complain to any of us about her MS-related symptoms.  She would occasionally have numbness and tingling that would come and go.  She rationalized that there was no treatment and scarred by her initial interaction with the professor; she sought no medical care.  She remained amazingly healthy and active, and we were a family no different than any other.  We learned to ski together, which she did without any difficulty. What became evident to me over the next 14 years was a gradual progression of impaired walking.  This culminated when she watched the video of a family milestone celebration and suddenly commented, “Oh my God is that the way I walk”. 

In the 1970s and 1980s, no disease-modifying therapies existed. Dr. Rose, a professor at UCLA and one of the major thought leaders of the time, published one of the first randomized control trials for relapsing and remitting MS with intravenous ACTH versus placebo at the time of relapse.  This required short-term hospitalization.   The results reported that exacerbations resolved quicker with ACTH compared to placebo; however, treatment with ACTH did not change the course of the disease.    

In May of 1977, she found a lump in her right breast. Initially, it was like a small pebble that could hardly be felt.  A month later it was obvious and the head of the Department of Surgery at the time commented, “it was nothing, but we should remove it.”  Immediately following the biopsy, he informed us that the frozen section confirmed adenocarcinoma of the breast. He must have thought we were in denial for he repeated over and over again, “this is cancer, cancer”. A right modified radical mastectomy and axillary node dissection followed. There was no follow-up therapy other than making sure that the incision had healed. As the Chief of Surgery, he did not believe in a comprehensive breast program that utilized the support of other additional health care providers. Reconstruction was not discussed, and she was satisfied to use a prosthesis. 

Over the next five years, her MS symptoms of unsteadiness, tingling, and numbness would come and go, but at no time did she complain, nor did this interfere with her level of function. We still practiced the no-talk rule. At the five-year mark, a supraclavicular node indicated tumor reoccurrence with a biopsy confirming the identical original tumor.  She underwent radiation therapy to the right neck and the internal mammillary chain. We then sought an opinion from the head of oncology at UCSD. As he was a pioneer in the use of adjuvant chemotherapy, we launched into a 6-month course. At the 3-month mark, the chemotherapy regime resulted in complete destruction of all her white blood cells to zero. A 10-day hospitalization with IV antibiotics prevented infection and the count returned to normal.  

This turned out to be an incredible fortuitous event. What we noticed over the next several months was that her MS improved dramatically, and all symptoms disappeared. Simultaneous to this event, Dr. Howard Weiner from Harvard University published the first article that outlined the use of Cytoxan for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. This was one of the drugs used in her chemotherapy regimen for her breast cancer reoccurrence. For the next 18 months, Judy returned to total normal function and it was as if her multiple sclerosis did not exist.   

However, as reported in the literature, 18 to 20 months after the initiation of chemotherapy, symptoms returned, and she developed a slowly progressive course. In the early 1980s at one of our Academy meetings, I met Randy Schapiro for the first time.  He was practicing in Minneapolis and had a huge MS practice.  It was refreshing to interact with somebody whose philosophy was similar to mine.  He was the first individual who did not just “diagnose and adios” but believed that MS symptoms could be treated effectively. He was charismatic, enthusiastic, and thus began my MS education. 

My neurology practice remained relatively generalized but emphasized neuro-oncology and neuropsychiatry. Then, in 1988, after three years of suffering in relative silence, progressive headaches became so severe and intolerable that Judy finally agreed to see a neurological colleague who ordered her first imaging study; a CT scan. This showed hydrocephalus, an enlargement of her ventricular system, along with a large cystic structure with a small nodule in the cerebellum where the coordination area is located in the back of the brain. Upon my review of the scan, the cystic tumor did not appear to be consistent with the spread of breast cancer to the brain. At noon we saw the neurosurgeon who hospitalized her and operated on the next morning. She had a stormy postoperative course with some lethargy which gradually improved. The tumor was not breast cancer but rather a relatively benign tumor originating in the brain and diagnosed as a ganglioglioma. 

On a one-month post-operative visit, the neurosurgeon could not understand why her walking had not improved as he had anticipated. He did not appreciate the comorbidity of MS. She underwent her first MRI scan and this showed some white matter changes but not as severe as I had anticipated. From this point on, denial disappeared, the no-talk rule was broken, and she became involved in the MS community. She joined a support group which she ultimately chaired as the group leader holding the meeting in our living room. She was placed on the first Patient Advisory Board of the National MS Society and was instrumental in establishing the guidelines for the structure and function of MS support groups. She served with me on the first MS guideline committee for the evaluation and treatment of Fatigue. My practice subsequently expanded in MS ultimately reaching over 300 patients.  

Judy often accompanied me as I traveled extensively for business. She and I often met with patient and professional groups as motivational speakers. We would share our story and our life experience to date. These presentations created an environment for interactivity and dialogue. We both found this a very meaningful and healing experience. In addition, as a family, we traveled together for pleasure across the globe. We became adept at dealing with the airlines, transporting our manual and power mobility devices. We became very skilled and knowledgeable at adapting and creating solutions to different challenges to improve our quality of life. 

In 1993, Betaseron became available as the first FDA-approved treatment for MS. This was met with huge excitement but some skepticism.  We were introduced for the first time to the details of how a “clinical trial” demonstrates efficacy and side effects. This disease-modifying approach was never anticipated to be so successful and has been followed by the licensing of 16 FDA-approved medications. 

The first clinical trial for secondary progressive MS was a multicenter national and international effort.  I was the Principal Investigator for the San Diego Kaiser site where we enrolled over 30 patients.  At the time Judy was 14 years disease-free from cancer. She and I had a conversation over her participation and obtained several professional opinions. Ultimately, we decided to pass.  It was a good thing that we had made that decision because one year later, her cancer returned to her chest. If she had participated, we might have blamed the reoccurrence on Betaseron. 

In October 2003, for treatment of metastatic cancer to the skin in the left supraclavicular area, radiation therapy was administered on two separate occasions. Because the right neck had been previously radiated, complete loss of autonomic function followed as an adverse event. Severe orthostatic hypotension made it difficult to go to a standing position because of a large drop in blood pressure. Her gastric emptying slowed considerably, and weight loss followed. At 108 pounds, a percutaneous gastric feeding tube was not approved, and only when her weight reached 85 pounds was it prescribed. As her needs increased, we hired a caregiver. Not realizing that she had extensive metastatic disease, the entire family spent ten days in New Zealand over the holidays. During the visit, she became quite debilitated limiting our travel within the country. 

On our return, we remained in denial.  By the third week in January, she was hospitalized because of a pathological fracture of the radius and general debilitation.  Only then was extensive metastatic disease diagnosed and upon discharge she was placed on hospice.  During her last week, we were all present taking turns at the bedside.  The clergy, who we had sought consultation with 6 months before, were very comforting.  The last hours she refused any pain medication and was totally awake and aware.  About five minutes before her last breath, she asked my daughter and I “What Shall I tell Him?”  We answered, “you tell him you are a wonderful person who has led a very loving life and that he should welcome you with open arms.”  

In 1986, I joined the Practice Committee of the American Academy of Neurology and became the first chair of the Academy’s initial guideline committee. I put together a group of diverse neurologists with a wide variety of expertise. This committee established and legitimized outcomes and evidence-based medicine in neurology. The process changed my life and practice began with my ongoing experiential fellowship and education in Multiple Sclerosis. I am indebted to my patients, colleagues, Pharma, and our educational meetings. I have attended yearly the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the European Consortium in the Treatment and Research in MS (ECTRIMS), the Consortium of MS Centers (CMSC), and the American Consortium for the treatment and Research in MS (ACTRIMS). It is at these venues where the latest scientific research is presented, controversy is highlighted, and meaningful interchange occurs between thought leaders. The proceedings are published in peer-reviewed literature. Thus, with my patients and a positive relationship with all of Pharma, my educational process and experiential fellowship continue.  

I hope that this blog will be ongoing, educational, and meaningful. I dedicate the blog to Judith Ann Rosenberg. There is an ongoing fund at the American Brain Foundation in her name at the American Academy of Neurology.  

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• A comprehensive evaluation of depression 
• Concussion and other head injuries 
• Substance use 
• Social anxiety 
• Performance enhancement 

The neurosciences department is also expanding its services for treatment-resistant depression led by Dr. Chris Fichtner as well as our psychotherapy services led by Dr. Laurie Moore. Our goal is to be more resourceful for our patients as we strive to advance the quality of healthcare in the Inland Empire.  

In addition, UCR Health providers have been conducting clinical trials involving novel therapeutics in stuttering. Stuttering, an interruption in the flow of speech, affects about three million Americans. With advances in medication research, the future looks bright for those who stutter to know they no longer need to live a life in silence. 

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Dr. Trikamji is also an Assistant Professor of Health Sciences and an Academic Neurologist at the UCR School of Medicine. He completed his residency in adult neurology at Harbor - UCLA Medical Center and fellowship in neuromuscular medicine at Washington University in St. Louis prior to becoming a faculty member at UCR School of Medicine. Dr. Trikamji has authored over 40 publications in peer review journals and written book chapters regarding providing the best possible care to patients suffering from rare neuromuscular disorders and the overview of how the practice of clinical neurology differs in various ethnic communities.  

Dr. Trikamji’s clinical practice revolves around educating physicians and academia on valuing the perspectives, backgrounds, and stories that patients have to share about their lived experiences. By creating an empathetic and supportive environment, he believes that patients can best understand their diagnoses and receive treatment by ensuring transparency and building trust between patients and physicians. As a healthcare physician at UCR Health, Dr. Trikamji collaborates with his patients to deliver proper care in the clinic and bring health home to the greater Inland Empire community

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