In The News
'Still Alice' is raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease
People often go to the movies to escape their problems. In the case of “Still Alice,” many are flocking to the theaters to see their lives’ biggest struggles writ large. Based on the novel of the same name, “Still Alice” tells the story of a brilliant linguistics professor who develops a rare type of early … Read More
Some myths, facts about sports-related concussions
This year the NFL raised the profile of head injuries in contact sports, highlighting the prevalence of concussions on the field and kicking off concern among parents of high school and club sports athletes. Unfortunately, some of what parents are hearing is a fumbling of the facts. While it is vital that we work to … Read More
Emergency room nurses pay price for parked psych patients
Laura Arguija still remembers the taste of the blood in her mouth from the time she was attacked by a psychiatric patient in the emergency room of a large hospital in San Bernardino County, where she worked as a trauma nurse. “I had long hair, and she wrapped her hand in it and started wailing … Read More
Part 1: Psych patients pack emergency rooms
Two years ago, Marty Naftel felt one of his bipolar crises coming on and went straight to the hospital. The 53-year old Midway City resident had learned he had bipolar disorder 29 years earlier and had been hospitalized for it many times since. So on that day in June 2012, he knew the warning signs … Read More
Students lack of sleep impacts academic performance
Between juggling a full school schedule, work and a personal life, college students often spend long nights cramming for a test, accompanied by enormous amounts of caffeine. This requires taking advantage of any down time to catch up on sleep. It is something that is abundant in childhood, but lacking during college years. Sleep is … Read More
100 Hospitals with Great Neurosurgery and Spine Programs 2014
Hoag was named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2014 list of great neurosurgery and spine programs for offering remarkable spine and neurosurgical care as based on clinical accolades and recognition from various healthcare groups and agencies. Hoag: Hoag’s Neurosciences Institute is the most comprehensive in Orange County and it continues to expand its offerings. In February, … Read More
Sufficient sleep is essential for healthy minds and bodies
When my younger son was a junior in high school, his packed schedule left appallingly insufficient time for a basic human need:sleep. He was taking four advanced placement classes, played sports, and was co-captain of his school’s mock trial team, a training ground for future lawyers. His days began with a 6:55 a.m. “zero period,” … Read More
Former Huntington Beach Mayor Alvin Coen struggles with Alzheimer's disease
Felicia Coen has been married to her husband, Alvin, for 53 years. Yet every day that passes, she feels like she’s losing the love of her life. Alvin Coen, a three-time mayor of Huntington Beach and a local lawyer, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2010. For the past several months, his overall state has … Read More
Hoag Brings Bugs Bunny to Help Prevent Alzheimer's
In an effort to slow or prevent the development of dementia as a person ages studies have shown that engaging in intellectual pursuits and expressing creativity can help. So,Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute’s Orange County Vital Brain Aging Program (OCVBAP) is calling on an unlikely ally in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease: Bugs Bunny. On Friday, … Read More
Chuck Jones knew creativity could unlock the mind
Mom might have told you that cartoons will rot your brain, but Chuck Jones knew otherwise. The creator of the Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Marvin Martian and so many other Looney Tunes pals, Jones used his creativity and his wit to stay eternally young at heart. Now studies show that creativity like Jones’ can … Read More