Neurology and Neurosurgery

Seeking cure for rare neurological disorder

World-renowned neurologist and new School of Medicine dean Allison Brashear has been researching a cure for Rapid Onset Dystonia Parkinsonism and Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood — both rare neurological disorders — for more than a decade. Through National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants, Brashear’s research aims to understand the basic science of the sodium potassium pump and what pathways in the brain are affected. Identifying these links may help find potential treatments and give experts more of an understanding of these rare mutations.

First in California to treat patient with postpartum depression drug

In October 2019, UC Davis Health became the first and only hospital in California to offer Zulresso (brexanolone), a new medication to treat mothers with postpartum depression. Developed by UC Davis neurologist Michael Rogawski, M.D, the intravenous drug rapidly brings insomnia, appetite loss and mood swings to remission. Zulresso was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March, and currently only three other states offer this type of treatment.