Advancing hope for patients with neurological conditions

Series of brain scan images.

Elizabeth Mendoza first noticed a tremor in her hand in 2017. Testing and an MRI revealed a life-altering diagnosis: Parkinson’s disease, which is one of the many neurological conditions affecting people today.

Today, Elizabeth is helping shape the future of treatment for others living with the condition. As a participant in a Keck Medicine of USC clinical trial conducted by physicians from the USC Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center, Elizabeth received an implant of specialized stem cells designed to help restore dopamine production in her brain. While research is still underway, she reports that her tremors have improved since the implant.

Stories like Elizabeth’s remind me why this work matters so much. In fact, it highlights the importance of continued research into neurological conditions.

Keck Medicine’s commitment to exceptional care is one reason Keck Medical Center of USC is home to the highest-ranked neurology and neurosurgery program in Southern California, according to U.S. News & World Report. It’s also why the American Heart Association recognized all four of our hospitals with Get With The Guidelines® awards for excellence in stroke and heart care.

Every day, Keck Medicine physicians, researchers and staff push the boundaries of what’s possible for patients facing some of the most challenging neurological conditions. While many of these diseases still have no cure, our teams are creating new possibilities and, most importantly, new hope for our patients battling neurological conditions.

Through innovative clinical trials, USC Brain Tumor Center researchers used innovative technology like laser therapy and electric fields to explore whether immunotherapy can be made more effective for patients with astrocytoma, including glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer in adults. Another recent study from the USC Center for Personalized Brain Health suggested that high doses of omega-3 supplements showed no measurable benefit toward improving memory and cognitive function in older adults at elevated risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers are now focused on developing therapies that may help the brain effectively use omega-3 nutrients for improved function.

Keck Medicine is also investing in advanced technology that supports more personalized care. This year, Keck Medical Center of USC became the first center in California equipped with the seventh-generation Gamma Knife® system, which enables our physicians with the USC Stereotactic Radiosurgery Center to perform intracranial procedures with submillimeter precision.

Whether it’s a patient like Elizabeth participating in a clinical trial, a researcher pursuing a new discovery or a staff member supporting patients through their care journey, progress happens because of the extraordinary people who make up Keck Medicine. Ultimately, these advancements have profound potential for improving treatment for neurological conditions.

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Rod Hanners

Rod Hanners is CEO of Keck Medicine of USC

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