Cedars-Sinai Neurologists and Neurosurgeons Will Present Information on a Wide Range of Disorders, Treatments and Lifestyle Choices at Nov. 22 Program

Contact: Sandy Van
Email: sandy@prpacific.com

Los Angeles - Nov. 12, 2014 – Diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors that may help prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease will be among many topics discussed when Cedars-Sinai neurologists and neurosurgeons present a free community conference Nov. 22 in Santa Barbara.

Advances in Neurology and Neurosurgery, which will run from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, also will cover nerve pain; diet, lifestyle and supplements that affect neurological wellness; cancers that spread to the brain and spine; stroke interventions; epilepsy; and surgery and other treatments for back pain and spinal disorders.

Speakers and topics will include:

• Christopher Zarembinski, MD, anesthesiologist at the Cedars-Sinai Pain Center: "What's Causing My Nerve Pain?"
• Mary Hardy, MD, a guest speaker with Wellness Works and the Stiles Center for Integrative Oncology: "Neurologic Wellness: Diet and Supplemental Support."
• Ray Chu, MD, neurosurgeon at the Brain Tumor Center, Department of Neurosurgery: "Selecting Your Medical Team."
• Dean Sherzai, MD, neurologist, director of Cedars-Sinai's new Alzheimer's Prevention Program: "Alzheimer's in the 21st Century: Challenges and New Approaches."
• Chirag Patil, MD, neurosurgeon at the Brain Tumor Center and director of the Center for Neurosurgical Outcomes Research: "Advances in Management of Metastatic Disease of the Brain and Spine."
• Ayesha Sherzai, MD, guest speaker, a fellow in vascular neurology and neuroepidemiology at Columbia University: "Role of Lifestyle in Neurovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases."

Participants will be able to choose from three breakout sessions – stroke, epilepsy or back and spine – where there will be opportunities for questions and personal discussions with specialists:

Stroke – Michael Alexander, MD, neurosurgeon, professor and vice chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, director of endovascular neurosurgery and director of the Neurovascular Center: "Turning Back the Clock: Curing Patients With Acute Stroke;" and Shlee Song, MD, neurologist, associate director of the Cedars-Sinai Stroke Program in the Department of Neurology: "Stroke Update."

Epilepsy – Jeffrey Chung, MD, neurologist, director of neurophysiology and director of the Epilepsy Program in the Department of Neurology: "Medical Management of Epilepsy;" and Adam Mamelak, MD, neurosurgeon, director of the Functional Neurosurgery Program and co-director of the Pituitary Center: "Surgical Management of Epilepsy."

Spine – Ray Chu, MD, neurosurgeon at the Brain Tumor Center: "Spine Care Workup;" and J. Patrick Johnson, MD, neurosurgeon, director of the Neurosurgery Spine Fellowship in the Department of Neurosurgery: "Spine Surgery Updates."

The conference will be co-directed by Keith Black, MD, chair and professor of the Department of Neurosurgery, and Patrick Lyden, MD, chair of the Department of Neurology. Black is director of the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute, director of the Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Brain Tumor Center and the Ruth and Lawrence Harvey Chair in Neuroscience. Lyden, director of the Stroke Program, is the Carmen and Louis Warschaw Chair in Neurology.

The conference will open at 7:30 a.m. with registration and a free continental breakfast. It is open to patients, families and the community, but space is limited and preregistration is required. It will be at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, 1260 Channel Drive. More information and registration are available at 1-800-CEDARS-1 (1-800-233-2771) or online at cedars-sinai.edu/neuroconferences.