Abstract:
Definition and Types: TBI is an injury to the brain caused by external force, resulting in a range of effects. It can be classified as mild (concussions), moderate, or severe based on symptoms and impact.
Causes: Common causes include falls, vehicle accidents, sports injuries, and violence.
Symptoms: Symptoms can vary widely and may include headaches, confusion, memory issues, mood changes, and loss of consciousness.
Diagnosis: Diagnosis often involves physical exams, imaging tests like CT or MRI scans, and neuropsychological assessments to evaluate cognitive function.
Treatment: Treatment approaches may involve rest, rehabilitation therapies (physical, occupational, speech), medication for symptoms, and in severe cases, surgery.
Long-term Effects: Some individuals may experience lasting cognitive, physical, and emotional challenges, requiring ongoing support and management.
Prevention: Strategies for preventing TBI include wearing helmets, using seatbelts, and fall-proofing homes, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
Biography:
Dr. Jonathan Eskenazi, MD, is a well-rounded, double board-certified Neurologist and Brain Injury Specialist, born and raised in Lima, Peru. He completed both his undergraduate and medical education at Cayetano Heredia University in Lima. He went on to finish his preliminary internal medicine residency at Jewish Hospital of Cincinnati, Ohio, followed by a Neurology Residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Eskenazi holds double board certifications: one in Neurology from the Board of Neurology and Psychiatry, and another in Brain Injury Medicine from the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He has also completed accredited courses and mini fellowships in clinical neurophysiology and neuro-stimulation for Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.
He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer at the Neurological Institute of Los Angeles and is a member of the Stroke Team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Eskenazi has served as Vice-Chair of the North American Neuromodulation Society Resident Fellowship Section and has been a member of the Board of Directors for the California Neurology Society. He holds academic appointments at both the UCLA School of Medicine and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Dr. Eskenazi often shares that neurology runs in his blood and has been a lifelong passion. Coming from three generations of neurologists, his upbringing deeply influenced his interest in neuroscience and continues to inspire his career. Pursuing a comprehensive approach to neurology, he strongly advocates for the development of a Multicenter Neuroscience Institute in Los Angeles, with a focus on serving underserved areas. He is currently recruiting patients for a prospective study on the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in individuals with traumatic brain injury and depression. He has expressed that the most rewarding aspect of being a physician is the ability to listen, engage, and make a meaningful impact on patients' lives—both clinically and personally. A dedicated community advocate, he is deeply committed to improving patient outcomes and takes pride in contributing to positive changes in people’s lives. Outside of his medical work, Dr. Eskenazi enjoys traveling and exploring different cultures through their food and traditions. He often reflects on an important life lesson: that people tend to cherish what they have worked hard to achieve far more than what comes easily. For him, the value of success lies in the dedication and effort it takes to earn it.
