By Scot Macdonald, PhD

Socrates wrote, "There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance." The new Information and Referral Center at the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute (MDNSI) provides information and referrals for brain tumor patients, as well as for a full range of neurologic disorders for both adults and the families of pediatric patients. The service is free and anyone, whether intending to come to Cedars-Sinai or not, is welcome to contact the Center and will be assisted as much as possible.

The Center hosts a phone line to answer questions, educate patients and families and provide information, both general and specific. The Center has available an extensive library of information, ranging from general information on diseases and disorders of the brain to phone numbers for support groups, as well as specific information on financial issues, transportation and housing, if needed, related to seeking care at Cedars-Sinai. The staff of the Center also answers e-mails and participates in chat rooms and list servers in an attempt to provide general information about brain tumors, treatments and options and specific information about MDNSI services. Referrals from the Center, however, are not restricted to Cedars-Sinai. Those who contact the Center are directed to support groups and/or care in their geographic area or to services that best suit their needs.

The Center supports an MDNSI support group, patient conferences and provides information about clinical trials of new treatments based on research conducted at MDNSI. The Center also facilitates the Outside Scan Review Program, allowing patients to submit scans for a second opinion for a $50 administrative fee.

The goal of the Center is to disseminate information and act as a guide to assist those contacting the Center in finding the information, assistance or care they require or, to paraphrase Socrates, to use knowledge to combat the evil of ignorance.

To contact the Center, please call (310) 423-0897 or