MakatiMed opens rare brain disease center

Makati Medical Center has opened its Comprehensive Neurovascular Center and Philippine Moyamoya Center to provide specialized care for patients with rare and complex brain conditions.

Launched over the weekend, the centers will offer diagnosis, treatment and long-term care for patients with Moyamoya disease and other conditions affecting blood circulation in the brain.

MakatiMed Department of Neurology chairperson Dr. Cymbeline B. Perez-Santiago said the centers aim to improve care for patients with complex neurological conditions.

Dr. Guillermo Victorino T. Liabres, co-chairman of the Comprehensive Neurovascular Center, said the initiative seeks to improve treatment and address gaps in understanding Moyamoya disease among Filipino patients.

Moyamoya is a rare, progressive disease that narrows major arteries supplying blood to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke. Its name comes from a Japanese term meaning “puff of smoke,” describing the appearance of abnormal blood vessels in brain scans.

“When we talk about Moyamoya disease, there are two things that we need to know. Number one, it’s progressive. Number two, there is no cure,” Liabres said.

Symptoms

As the arteries narrow, smaller vessels develop to compensate for reduced blood flow. These fragile vessels can rupture and cause bleeding in the brain. Although there is no known cure, brain bypass surgery can improve blood flow and reduce complications in selected patients.

“The purpose of brain bypass is actually to improve blood flow going to the brain,” Liabres said.

The Philippine Moyamoya Center also aims to address the lack of local research on the disease, whose incidence and prevalence in the Philippines remain unknown.

Liabres said improved diagnostic capabilities have led to more cases being identified, but the disease may still be underdiagnosed.

The center plans to combine diagnostic services, specialized surgery and multidisciplinary care while collecting patient data to improve treatment strategies. It also intends to pursue genetic research and provide training for neurosurgeons.