First Choice Neurology

“There is a big picture that brings it all into relief and my hope is that we can increase empathy and understanding,” says 2026 medicine laureate Karl Deisseroth.
As a medical student, Deisseroth completed part of his training at a psychiatric clinic. He was struck by the patients’ suffering and their need for help. At the same time, he began to wonder how the brain could function so differently from one person to another.
Deisseroth was awarded this year's medicine prize, together with Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel, for discoveries leading to optogenetics – a biological technique making it possible to switch the activity of individual nerve cells in a living brain on or off.
Optogenetics is now helping us understand more about how nerve cells shape memories, emotions and behaviour in the living brain.
Learn more about the 2026 medicine prize:

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026 The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026 was awarded jointly to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel “for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.”

SHINING A LIGHT ON THE BRAIN’S MYSTERIES

First Choice Neurology congratulates Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel, recipients of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, for their discoveries leading to optogenetics—a powerful tool transforming our understanding of the brain.

What is optogenetics?
This technique combines genetics and light to turn selected nerve cells on or off. By making specific cells sensitive to light, researchers can investigate how brain circuits shape memories, emotions, movement, and behavior.

These discoveries are helping scientists better understand depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Researchers can explore which circuits contribute to symptoms and what happens when their activity changes—providing valuable clues for developing more targeted treatments.

What could this mean for future care?
Knowledge gained through optogenetics may help guide new medications and approaches to brain stimulation. Direct optogenetic treatments for these conditions remain experimental, but the research is opening promising paths toward future therapies.

At First Choice Neurology, we celebrate the scientists whose discoveries move neuroscience forward and bring new hope to patients and families.

Congratulations to this year’s Nobel laureates for helping illuminate one of humanity’s greatest mysteries: how the brain works.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026 has been awarded for optogenetics – a method that makes it possible to show how nerve cells shape memories, feelings and behaviours in the living brain.

Thanks to optogenetics, researchers can now discover exactly which of the nerve cells in a complicated bundle control different brain functions. For example, they have identified neural circuits that govern the sense of pain, social behaviours, thirst, food consumption, reward and attention. They have also found nerve cells responsible for diverse functions, from controlling the circadian rhythm to causing a fever when the immune system is activated.

Researchers have also taken the first steps towards using optogenetics as a medical treatment. In ongoing clinical trials they attempt to restore vision in people who have become blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, a disease that destroys the eye’s rods and cones. When they inserted a channelrhodopsin-like protein in the retina of a blind person, the person regained some vision.

Using special glasses emitting light, the person was able to discern and grasp objects on a table. There are also hopes that optogenetics could improve cochlea implants. Currently, these implants stimulate the auditory nerve using electricity. If it were instead possible to use optogenetics, the implant may be able to activate the auditory nerve with greater precision.

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel “for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.”

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𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗦: 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲
Empowering People Affected by MS to Solve Everyday Challenges

𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
9085 SW 87th Avenue, Miami

Pathways to Wellness in MS will:
• Learn about evidence-based recommendations that can positively impact health and quality of life.
• Connect with others in the MS community to discuss strategies to implement health and wellness lifestyle changes into daily life.
• Provide opportunities for ongoing connections and support.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

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Explore the website for news and research, podcasts, book series, and more.

Visit https://www.brainhealth.com/

American Academy of Neurology (AAN)

𝗗𝗿. 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆

Kamlesh Patel, MD, is a neurologist in Sun City Center, Florida. He is board-certified in Neurology and Vascular Neurology. Dr. Patel has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of several neurological conditions such as migraines, headaches, dizziness, vertigo, balance-related problems, memory issues, stroke, tremors, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, peripheral neuropathy, epilepsy, stroke, and transient ischemic attacks (TIA).

Dr. Patel's Sun City Center office is at Sunshine Neurology - 717 Imar Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel, please call (813) 634-3500.

First Choice Neurology is pleased to announce that Icobrain®, advanced artificial intelligence software for quantitative brain MRI analysis, is now available at our Miami MRI Center. The technology gives radiologists and neurologists additional information to help evaluate and monitor multiple sclerosis, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and amyloid-related imaging abnormalities, also known as ARIA.

A brain MRI is an important part of neurological care, but some changes are subtle and may be difficult to measure consistently by visual review alone. Icobrain analyzes MRI images, measures specific brain structures and abnormalities, and helps compare scans over time. These measurements can support earlier recognition of meaningful changes and more informed information about diagnosis, treatment response, and next steps.

Read our blog: https://www.fcneurology.net/ai-powered-icobrain-now-available-at-first-choice-neurology-for-ms-dementia-and-aria/


The Florida Society of Neurology Florida Medical Association Florida Department of Elder Affairs

AI-Powered Icobrain Now Available at First Choice Neurology for MS, Dementia and ARIA Icobrain, an advanced AI software for quantitative brain MRI analysis, is now available at First Choice Neurology's MRI Center in Miami.

TONIGHT - Business of Medicine Series
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
6:30 - 7:05 PM ET on ZOOM
Presented by Michelle Palacios, CPA | Controller

Business Expenses
What is allowed and not allowed. Best practices for expense reimbursements.
• Expenses that should not be paid or reimbursed by the business
• Required documentation and receipts
• Personal vs. business expenses
• Best practices for reimbursements

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁: https://www.fcneurology.net/neurolo.../business-of-medicine/

Great news for the Parkinson’s community!

The FDA has approved tavapadon (JUVMO) for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease in adults, adding a new once-daily oral medication to the available treatment options.

Tavapadon works by mimicking the effects of dopamine, a brain chemical involved in movement. Clinical trials showed improvements in Parkinson’s symptoms. Reported side effects included nausea, dizziness, and headache.

At First Choice Neurology, we welcome advances that expand options for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Our neurologists and movement disorder specialists help patients navigate treatment decisions based on their symptoms, medical history, and individual needs.

Learn more about First Choice Neurology at fcneurology.net.

First Choice Neurology is looking forward to the 2026 AANEM Annual Meeting tomorrow through Friday in Orlando.

𝘉𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘔𝘎: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦 explores emerging trends and innovations reshaping the field.

Business of Medicine Series
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
6:30 - 7:05 PM ET on ZOOM
Presented by Michelle Palacios, CPA | Controller

Business Expenses
What is allowed and not allowed. Best practices for expense reimbursements.
• Expenses that should not be paid or reimbursed by the business
• Required documentation and receipts
• Personal vs. business expenses
• Best practices for reimbursements

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁: https://www.fcneurology.net/neurolo.../business-of-medicine/