FDA approves donanemab, Eli Lilly’s treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease

By Jen Christensen, CNN The US Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved donanemab, a monoclonal antibody designed to slow the progression of early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease. Donanemab, made by Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly, works by helping the body remove amyloid plaque buildup in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.

The Remarkable Benefits of Intrathecal Medicine

Intrathecal medicine, a form of therapy involving the administration of medications directly into the spinal canal, has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in the field of healthcare. This targeted delivery method offers a range of benefits and has revolutionized the treatment of various medical conditions, providing relief and hope to countless individuals worldwide.

Napa Pain Institute Awarded Prestigious Best of Napa Medical Facility 2023

The “Best of Napa Medical Facility” award, presented annually by The Best of Napa and  The Press Democrat, celebrates and honors healthcare facilities that demonstrate exceptional dedication, innovation, and superior service in their respective fields. Napa Pain Institute has emerged as a distinguished institution, setting new benchmarks  for combining patient care and medical innovation in the private practice setting.

How Do I Treat Chronic Back Pain?

Chronic low and back pain can be debilitating, affecting every aspect of a person’s life. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments available, including interventional therapies. These treatments involve the use of minimally invasive procedures to target the source of the pain and provide relief.

What is Cancer Pain?

Doctor and Patient discussing cancer pain treatment options

Cancer pain is a complex and often debilitating symptom that can result from the disease itself or its treatments. Pain management is an essential component of cancer care, and there are several treatment options available to help manage cancer pain.

What is Pain?

man holding his back in pain while the affected area is highlighted in red

Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 20% of adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain, and this number is increasing. Chronic pain can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, leading to depression, anxiety, and social isolation. 

Dr. Melanie Johansson Joins the Napa Pain Institute

Dr. Melanie Johansson joins the Napa Pain Institute as a fellowship-trained and board-certified pain management specialist with well over a decade of medical experience. Dr. Johansson treats patients for chronic back pain, headache and neuropathic pain, osteoporosis, chronic pain from injuries and more.

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DR. MELANIE D. JOHANSSON, MD, FACEP

Dr. Johansson comes to us as a fellowship-trained and board-certified pain management specialist with nearly a decade of experience. She completed her fellowship training at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD where she then became the associate program director of the pain medicine fellowship and an assistant professor of military and emergency medicine. She graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in Richmond, Virginia, was Pre-medicine at San Diego State University, and received her BSN from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Her breadth of experience comes from a full career of serving in the United States Navy where she was the recipient of multiple academic and military service awards including a Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, and numerous other individual, unit, and campaign awards. She has multiple published works and is the founding member of a military Pain Medicine Special Interest Group with the American Society of Regional Anesthesia.

In her free time, Dr. Johansson enjoys traveling, is newly married, loves dogs, and enjoys cooking and baking, as well as other creative pursuits. She has a particular interest in advanced procedural techniques for chronic pain relief and the effects of lifestyle on pain and healing. She looks forward to continuing our mission of providing our patients with the best care, every day.

Eric Grigsby, MD, MBA

CEO & Founder of Neurovations

Dr. Eric Grigsby enjoys a national reputation for excellence in the field of Pain Management. He has a background as a researcher, teacher and clinician and brings over 30 years of clinical experience to the Napa Pain Institute. Dr. Grigsby attended elementary and secondary school in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Economics from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He formed an interest in Pain Management as a career while working at Boston Children’s Hospital in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery.

After graduating from Boston University Medical School in 1984, Dr. Grigsby trained in General Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Pain Management at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He was invited to join the Medical Staff and teach at the Mayo Medical School until moving to California in 1989. The Dean of the University of California at Davis Medical Center then invited Dr. Grigsby to establish their first Pain Management Center, where he served as Medical Director until 1992. Following his post at UC Davis, Dr. Grigsby established his private Pain Management practice in Napa, California.

Today, he and his staff of over 50 professionals consult with patients throughout Northern California and the western United States.  More recently, Dr Grigsby completed his Masters in Business Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. He speaks nationally on topics such as non-operative treatment of spinal disorders, the safe use of medications for the treatment of pain, and the legal and regulatory issues relating to the proper treatment of patients with chronic illness.