Dr Ali Rezai In 60 Minutes: Everything We Know

Michelle Hall
Jan 15, 2024
Jan 15, 2024

Dr Ali Rezai's 60 Minutes session recently made headlines due to his new discovery in neuroscience, particularly in the early detection and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

In this week's 60 Minutes, Ali Rezai proposes a new approach to his treatment, here's everything we know about his achievements and professional life.

Key Takeaways

Dr. Ali Rezai, a functional neurosurgeon, innovates in Alzheimer's treatment using ultrasound technology and early-detection blood tests.
His esteemed career includes leadership roles at major institutes, extensive research in neuromodulation, and numerous accolades in neuroscience.
Rezai is globally recognized for his contributions, with over 200 publications and featured appearances in top media outlets.

Dr Ali Rezai's 60 Minutes Appearance

Source: CBS

Dr. Ali Rezai, featured on 60 Minutes, is making waves with a novel method to treat Alzheimer's. His team's been keeping an eye on ultrasound tech, normally used for checking out babies in the womb, to get treatments into Alzheimer's patients' brains more effectively.

Dr. Rezai points out that while these plaques are a big deal in Alzheimer's, they're just one part of the puzzle. As folks get older, this plaque stuff tends to build up, but it's like a fast-forward button for people with Alzheimer's. It clogs up the works in the brain, making it tough for brain cells to chat with each other. This leads to getting lost, being stumped by simple math, or forgetting stuff.

The cool part? Dr. Rezai and his team are exploring blood tests that might flag Alzheimer's early on. This test looks for beta-amyloid in the blood, which could be a heads-up for further checks.

Right now, this blood test is mostly for people who are just starting to show Alzheimer's signs. It's still in the "needs more looking into" stage, but Dr. Rezai's hopeful. He imagines a future where anyone, especially those with Alzheimer's in the family, could get this test to see what might be up ahead.

And hey, while there's no surefire way to dodge Alzheimer's yet, Dr. Rezai's a fan of keeping healthy with good food, exercise, and sleep. He thinks these might help keep your brain in tip-top shape and possibly lower your Alzheimer's risk.

Who Is Dr Ali Rezai?

Source: WVU

Early Career and Education

Ali Rezai, born in 1965 in Tehran, Iran, MD, a renowned functional neurosurgeon, embarked on his journey at UCLA, where he completed his undergraduate studies. His pursuit of medical excellence led him to the University of Southern California, earning his medical degree with honors. He further honed his skills in neurosurgery at New York University and then specialized in functional neurosurgery during his fellowship at the University of Toronto.

Academic and Professional Milestones

Dr. Rezai's career began at New York University, where he directed the Center for Functional Neurosurgery. His expertise then took him to the Cleveland Clinic, overseeing the functional neurosurgery program and founding the Center for Neurological Restoration. Before his current role, he served at Ohio State University as the Ross Chair in Neuromodulation and the inaugural Director of the Neurological Institute.

As the Associate Dean of Neuroscience at West Virginia University and the Executive Chair and Director of the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, Dr. Rezai has been instrumental since 2018. Under his leadership, the institute has grown into a globally recognized center, with 250 faculty across five departments and over 1,500 professionals, making over 265,000 patient visits annually.

Dr. Rezai's clinical practice centers around neuromodulation for various disorders, including movement disorders, chronic pain, and neurobehavioral conditions. His research is groundbreaking, particularly in Parkinson’s, brain/spinal cord injury, addiction, Alzheimer’s, and other conditions. He has over 60 U.S. patents and collaborates extensively with academic, government, and industry leaders.

Accolades and Recognition

A recipient of numerous awards, Dr. Rezai has been consistently recognized as one of America's top doctors. He's a past president of several prestigious neurosurgical societies and has been honored with the NANS Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.

Publications and Speaking Engagements

Dr. Rezai's scholarly contributions include over 200 scientific publications and an h-index of 92. He's a co-editor of major textbooks in his field and has been a principal investigator on multiple NIH grants. His expertise has taken him to over 500 international lectures and appearances at major tech and medical conferences.

Dr. Rezai's work has caught the attention of major media outlets and distinguished audiences, including the President of the United States and members of Congress. His research has been featured on platforms like The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and on television networks such as BBC, CBS, and CNN.