HJAR Nov/Dec 2019

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  NOV / DEC 2019 47 micro-neurosurgery technology have opened up whole new areas of the brain for treat- ment. Surgeries on different types of brain tumors such as the cavernous sinus, which is in an area behind the eye and below the brain, are in an area once considered inconceivable to operate upon. We now conduct those pro- cedures regularly. Such significant advance- ments not only save lives, but they also give patients hope, longevity, and a good quality of life that was unthinkable just a decade ago. Working Together to Prevent Stroke Stroke, to a degree, is preventable. Even with all the advancements in treatment for stroke, the best path to a long life is avoiding a stroke in the first place. Just as we think about exercising our heart to keep that mus- cle in the best of health, we need to think about our brain just like every other muscle in our body. Luckily, many of the same steps one would take to support good heart health also sup- port brain health. Regular exercise promotes good blood flow and proper oxygen levels in the brain. If you eat healthy, you reduce the likelihood of clogged arteries that could lead to a stroke. It is also important that you keep your brain active. We know from extensive research that continually learning new things, staying social, and keeping busy with tasks that require cognitive thinking help keep the brain alert and healthy. On the other side of the coin, there are ac- tivities we know to be especially detrimental to brain health. Every time someone takes recreational or illegal drugs, they experi- ence the direct effect of damaging areas of the brain. At the same time, brain pressure is raised to malignant levels where the arteries to the brain can become injured, leading to a mini-stroke and bleeding in the brain. We have even seen changes and side effects in the brain associated with smoking, so that should be avoided as well. Pushing Beyond Our Current Bound- aries As we expand our understanding of treat- ment options for stroke today, it is impor- tant that we never settle for good enough. Institutions around the world are working to improve procedures and outcomes for pa- tients. Today, we treat certain types of con- ditions like the Basilar Aneurysm, which is deep-seated in the brain, that other surgeons Ali Krisht, MD, FACS Director Arkansas Neuroscience Institute at CHI St. Vincent still consider inoperable. Not long ago we treated a patient for a cavernous sinus tumor, and the patient woke up with absolutely zero deficits whatsoever, which is an incredible step forward. We make progress in the field of neurosur- gery every day, and each new success inspires us to never give up on anyone. You have to be passionate, persistent, even relentless in this work, always prepared to go one step further to make a difference. n Ali Krisht was born in Kano,Nigeria,on September 17, 1959.He attended college at theAmerican University of Beirut and graduated with honors inJune 1981 with a B.S. in Biology-Chemistry. Dr. Krisht went to medi- cal school at the American University of Beirut and graduated with HonorableMention inJune 1985,and concluded residency training at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia in 1994. In July 1994 Dr. Krisht joined ProfessorsAl-Mefty and Yasargil as staff of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He was promoted to associate, then professor of neuro- surgery, and was vice chairman and a professor of neurosurgery until September 2009. In October of 2009, Drs. Krisht and Almefty Co-founded ANI, the Arkansas Neuroscience Institute. He is the present director, and also the director of the Cerebrovascular and Neuroendocrine Clinics. When it comes to treatment and brain health following a stroke, we have to begin by understanding that TIME = BRAIN.