Victoria Pelak, MD

Professor, Neurology


FacultyPhoto
Medical School
  • MD, Wayne State University School of Medicine (1994)
Undergraduate School
  • BA, Kalamazoo College (MI) (1987)
Internship
  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (1995)
Residency
  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Neurology (1998)
Fellowships
  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Neuro-Ophthalmology (1999)
Languages
English
Department
Neurology

Professional Titles

  • Professor, Neurology and Ophthalmology
  • Director, Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship
  • Vice Chair Faculty Affairs and Promotions, Neurology

Recognitions

  • Transforming Leaders Cohort 2018-2019, American Academy of Neurology (2019)
  • Top Doctor, 5280, Peers (2024)
  • Merit Award, North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society (2022)

Publications

  • Pelak VS. Ocular motility of aging and dementia. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep; 10:440-7, 2010.
  • Pelak VS, Choi M, Jung S, Halliday B, Hager E, Klepitskaya O, Ojemann S, Filley C, Dubin M. “Visuospatial Assessment By Virtual 3D Radial Optic Flow Illusion In Healthy Aging, Mild Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), And Pre-Deep-Brain Stimulation (DBS) Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Subjects.” Abstract 99. 37th Annual North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society Meeting. Vancouver, BC, Canada. February 2011.
  • Pelak VS, Rubenstein D. An Inferior, Macular Sparing, Homonymous Quadrantanopia Associated With Segmental Optic Nerve Hypoplasia And Isolated, Unilateral, Anterior Medial Occipital Lobe Atrophy In An Asymptomatic Adult. Abstract 100. 37th Annual North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society Meeting. Vancouver, BC, Canada. February 2011.
  • Pelak VS, Seinfeld J, Kaur P. “Acute Elevated Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Syndrome Associated With Unilateral Transverse/Sigmoid Dural Vein Thrombosis With Rapid Resolution Following Clot Lysis By tPA, Angiojet, and Balloon Angioplasty.” Abstract 101. 37th Annual North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society Meeting. Vancouver, BC, Canada. February 2011.
  • Cordes D, Jin M, Curran T, Pelak V, Nandy R. “Discriminant analysis and prediction of aMCI subjects and normal controls using encoding and recognition fMRI tasks.” 19th Annual Meeting and Exhibition of The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. May 7-13, 2011.
  • Cordes D, Jin M, Curran T, Pelak V, Nandy R. “Aberrant resting-state activity in default mode network of subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment.” 19th Annual Meeting and Exhibition of The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. May 7-13, 2011.
  • Jin M, Pelak V, Curran T, Nandy R, Cordes D. “Altered medial temporal lobe activations in aMCI subjects during encoding and recognition tasks.” 19th Annual Meeting and Exhibition of The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. May 7-13, 2011.
  • Jin M, Pelak V, Curran T, Banich M, Nandy R, Cordes D. “Differences of functional activation patterns between subjects with mild cognitive impairment and normal subjects.” 18th Annual Meeting for the Society for Magnetic Resonance Technologists, Stockholm, Sweden, May 1-7, 2010.
  • Jin M, Pelak V, Curran T, Banich M, Nandy R, Cordes D. “FMRI Differences between Mild Cognitive Impairment Subjects and Normal Subjects during Memory Tasks.” Poster Presentation 337 WTh-AM. 16th Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping. Barcelona, Spain. June 6-10, 2010.
  • Pelak VS, Choi M, Jung S, Halliday B, Hager E, Klepitskaya O, Ojemann S, Filley C, Dubin M. ?Visuospatial Assessment By Virtual 3D Radial Optic Flow Illusion In Healthy Aging, Mild Alzheimer?s Disease (AD), And Pre-Deep-Brain Stimulation (DBS) Parkinson?s Disease (PD) Subjects.? Abstract: A-316-0002-01532. 10th Annual International Conference on Alzheimer?s and Parkinson?s Disease. Barcelona, Spain. March 9-13th, 2011.
  • Altered default-mode network in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) using resting-state functional MRI (fMRI). Poster # T-46. American Neurological Association meeting. San Francisco, CA. September 2010.
  • Kumpe DA, Bennett JL, Seinfeld J, Pelak VS, Chawla A, Tierney M. Dural sinus stent placement for idiopathic intracranial hypertension. J Neurosurg; 116(3):538-548, 2012.
  • Pelak VS, Smyth SF, Boyer PJ, Filley CM. Computerized visual field defects in Posterior Cortical Atrophy. Neurology; 77(24):2119-2122, 2011.
  • Jin M, Pelak VS, Cordes D. Aberrant default mode network in subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment using resting-state functional MRI. Magn Reson Imaging; 30:48-61, 2012.
  • Pelak VS. Visual Hallucinations. In: Neurological Differential Diagnosis: A Case-based Approach. Ettinger AB & Weisbrot DM (Eds). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2012.
  • Kumpe DA, Bennett JL, Seinfeld J, Pelak VS, Chawla A, Tierney M. Dural sinus stent placement for idiopathic intracranial hypertension. J Neurosurg; 116(3):538-548, 2012.
  • Jin M, Pelak VS, Cordes D. Aberrant default mode network in subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment using resting-state functional MRI. Magn Reson Imaging; 30:48-61, 2012.
  • Jin M, Pelak VS, Curran T, Nandy RR, Cordes D. A preliminary study of functional abnormalities in aMCI subjects during different episodic memory tasks. Magn Reson Imaging; [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22387024, 2012.
  • Nanji AA, Klein KS, Pelak VS, Repka MX. Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in a child with optic disk drusen. J AAPOS; [Epub 2012/04/25],16(2):207-9, 2012.
  • Pelak VS. Visual Hallucinations. In: Neurological Differential Diagnosis: A Case-based Approach. Ettinger AB & Weisbrot DM (Eds). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2012.
  • Pelak VS, Choi M, Jung S, et al. 3D Radial Optic Flow Perception in Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease with Advanced Motor Symptoms. 39th Annual North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society Meeting. Snowbird, Utah. February 2013. Page 142.
  • Hildreth KL, Van Pelt RE, Moreau KL, Grigsby J, Hoth KF, Pelak V, Anderson CA, Parnes B, Kittelson J, Wolfe P, Nakamura T, Linnebur SA, Trujillo JM, Aquilante CL, Schwartz RS. Effects of pioglitazone or exercise in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and insulin resistance: a pilot study. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra. 2015 Jan-Apr;5(1):51-63. PubMed PMID: 25852732
  • Pelak VS, Filley CM. Clinical and imaging clues to posterior cortical atrophy. Neurol Clin Pract. Published online March 19, 2015.
  • Pelak VS. Vision & Alzheimer’s Disease. PDF. [NOVEL Collection]. 2015. Available at: http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EHSL-NOVEL/id/2220 February 9, 2015.
  • Hua J, Rojas D, Tregellas J, Filley C, Schwartz R, Pelak V. “Effects of Testosterone Supplementation and Serum Levels on Cortical Volume in Healthy Older Men,” American Academy of Neurology, Washington, DC, April 23, 2015.
  • Pelak VS. “Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Posterior Cortical Atrophy and the Visual Variant of Alzheimer’s Disease”. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Washington, DC, July 18-23, 2015.
  • Hildreth KL, Van Pelt RE, Moreau KL, Grigsby J, Hoth KF, Pelak V, Anderson CA, Parnes B, Kittelson J, Wolfe P, Nakamura T, Linnebur SA, Trujillo JM, Aquilante CL, Schwartz RS. Effects of pioglitazone or exercise in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and insulin resistance: a pilot study. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra. 2015 Jan-Apr;5(1):51-63. PubMed PMID: 25852732
  • Hua JT, Hildreth KL, Pelak VS. Effects of Testosterone Therapy on Cognitive Function in Aging: A Systematic Review. Cogn Behav Neurol. 2016 Sep;29(3):122-38. PubMed PMID: 27662450
  • Ahmad M, Pelak V. Vision loss in a young, healthy woman following liposuction. Am J Cosmet Surg. 2016 33(2):96-101.
  • Kumpe DA, Seinfeld J, Huang X, Mei Q, Case DE, Roark CD, Subramanian PS, Lind KE, Pelak VS, Bennett JL. Dural sinus stenting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension: factors associated with hemodynamic failure and management with extended stenting. J Neurointerv Surg. 2017 Sep;9(9):867-874. PubMed PMID: 27935482
  • Crutch SJ, Schott JM, Rabinovici GD, Murray M, Snowden JS, van der Flier WM, Dickerson BC, Vandenberghe R, Ahmed S, Bak TH, Boeve BF, Butler C, Cappa SF, Ceccaldi M, de Souza LC, Dubois B, Felician O, Galasko D, Graff-Radford J, Graff-Radford NR, Hof PR, Krolak-Salmon P, Lehmann M, Magnin E, Mendez MF, Nestor PJ, Onyike CU, Pelak VS, Pijnenburg Y, Primativo S, Rossor MN, Ryan NS, Scheltens P, Shakespeare TJ, Suárez González A, Tang-Wai DF, Yong KXX, Carrillo M, Fox NC. Consensus classification of posterior cortical atrophy. Alzheimers Dement. 2017 Aug;13(8):870-884. PubMed PMID: 28259709
  • Yin D, Thompson JA, Drees C, Ojemann SG, Nagae L, Pelak VS, Abosch A. Optic Radiation Tractography and Visual Field Deficits in Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Amygdalohippocampectomy in Patients with Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 2017;95(2):107-113. PubMed PMID: 28324881
  • Bou Ghannam A, Pelak VS. Visual Snow: a Potential Cortical Hyperexcitability Syndrome. Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2017 Mar;19(3):9. PubMed PMID: 28349350
  • Pelak VS, Sillau S, Thaker, AA. Homonymous visual field defects in posterior cortical atrophy: Visual neglect or cortical blindness?
  • Pelak VS, Olds J, Hills W. The study of posterior cortical atrophy using online surveys and social media. Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, Vol. 13, Issue 7, P381–P382
  • Pelak VS, Thaker AA. The prevalence and distribution of microbleeds on swi in posterior cortical atrophy. Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, Vol. 13, Issue 7, P745–P746
  • Pelak V, Sharma K. Two cases of Wolfram-related optic atrophy: A new mutation and A misdiagnosis of normal-tension glaucoma. NANOS Annual Meeting, April 2017.
  • Bou Ghannam AS, McCourt E, Pelak VS, Bennett JL, Subramanian PS, Smits DJ. A "Frosty" Altered Level of Consciousness. Frank B. Walsh Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., 2017
  • Bou Ghannam A, Subramanian P, Bennett, J, Pelak V, Gomez GL. Evaluation of Optic Disc Vascularization in Patients with NAION using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA). NANOS Annual Meeting, Washington D.C., 2017
  • Pelak VS, Hills W. Vision in Alzheimer's disease: a focus on the anterior afferent pathway. Neurodegener Dis Manag. 2018 Feb;8(1):49-67. PubMed PMID: 29359625
  • Jones W, Silkworth W, Dusto N, Pelak VS, Berliner J, Buard I, Kluger B. Central Visual Oscillopsia: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Cogn Behav Neurol. 2018 Jun;31(2):86-95. PubMed PMID: 29927799
  • Pelak VS. Disorders of Higher Cortical Visual Function. In: Neuro-Ophthalmology: Diagnosis and Management, 3rd Edition. Liu GT, Volpe NJ, & Galetta SL (Eds). Saunders Elsevier, Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, Chapter 9: p.341-364, 2018.
  • Pelak VS. The Visual Snow Conference: May 5, 2018, University of California San Francisco. J Neuroophthalmol. 2018 Sep;38(3):e17-e18. PubMed PMID: 29985800
  • Amodeo K, Armstrong M, Barrett M, Boeve B, Domoto-Reilly K, Duda J, Galasko D, Galvin J, Goldman J, Gomperts S, Graff-Radford N, Holden S, Honig L, Huddleston D. Irwin D, Kaufer D, Leverenz J, Lippa C, Litvan I, Lunde A, Manning C, Marder K, McKeith JG, Moussa C, Onyike C. Pagan F, Pantelyat A, Paulson H, Pelak V, Poston K, Quinn J, Richard I, Rosenthal LS, Sabbagh M, Scharre D, Sha S, Shill H, Siderowf A, Torres-Yaghi Y. The Lewy Body Dementia Association Research Centers of Excellence Program: Toward Optimizing Clinical Care and Clinical Trial Infrastructure for LBD. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Chicago, IL, July 20-26, 2018.
  • Holden SK, Van Dok E, Pelak VS. Convergence Insufficiency and Cognitive Impairment in Parkinsonian Disorders. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Chicago, IL, July 20-26, 2018.
  • Berliner JM, Kluger BM, Corcos DM, Pelak VS, Gisbert R, McRae C, Atkinson CC, Schenkman M. Patient perceptions of visual, vestibular, and oculomotor deficits in people with Parkinson's disease. Physiother Theory Pract. 2018 Jul 6;:1-8. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 29979909
  • Chen JJ, Flanagan EP, Jitprapaikulsan J, López-Chiriboga ASS, Fryer JP, Leavitt JA, Weinshenker BG, McKeon A, Tillema JM, Lennon VA, Tobin WO, Keegan BM, Lucchinetti CF, Kantarci OH, McClelland CM, Lee MS, Bennett JL, Pelak VS, Chen Y, VanStavern G, Adesina OO, Eggenberger ER, Acierno MD, Wingerchuk DM, Brazis PW, Sagen J, Pittock SJ. Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody (MOG-IgG)-Positive Optic Neuritis: Clinical Characteristics, Radiologic Clues and Outcome. Am J Ophthalmol. 2018 Jul 26. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30055153
  • Pelak VS, Berman B. Transient Daily Episodes of Vision Loss Due to Parkinson’s Disease. Neuro-Ophthalmology 1-5, 2018.
  • Pressman PS, Gola K, Shdo SM, Miller BL, Fredericks C, Mielke C, Pelak V, Rankin KP. Relative preservation of facial expression recognition in posterior cortical atrophy. Neurology. 2019 Mar 5;92(10):e1064-e1071. PubMed PMID: 30760634
  • Peterson B, Armstrong M, Galasko D, Galvin JE, Goldman J, Irwin D, Paulson H, Kaufer D, Leverenz J, Lunde A, McKeith IG, Siderowf A, Taylor A, Amodeo K, Barrett M, Domoto-Reilly K, Duda J, Gomperts S, Graff-Radford N, Holden S, Honig L, Huddleston D, Lippa C, Litvan I, Manning C, Marder K, Moussa C, Onyike C, Pagan F, Pantelyat A, Pelak V, Poston K, Quinn J, Richard I, Rosenthal LS, Sabbagh M, Scharre D, Sha S, Shill H, Torres-Yaghi Y, Christie T, Graham T, Richards I, Koehler M, Boeve B. Lewy Body Dementia Association's Research Centers of Excellence Program: Inaugural Meeting Proceedings. Alzheimers Res Ther. 2019 Mar 13;11(1):23. PubMed PMID: 30867052
  • Holden SK, Bettcher BM, Pelak VS. Update on posterior cortical atrophy. Curr Opin Neurol. 2019 Nov 4. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31688098
  • Schofield JR, Palestine AG, Pelak V, Mathias MT. Deep capillary retinal ischemia and high-titer prothrombin-associated antiphospholipid antibodies: A case series of three patients. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2019 Jun;14:105-109. PubMed PMID: 31011663
  • Bou Ghannam AS, Mehner LC, Pelak VS. Sialidosis Type 1 Without Cherry-Red Spot. J Neuroophthalmol. 2019 Sep;39(3):388-390. PubMed PMID: 31107347
  • Holden SK, Van Dok E, Pelak VS. Co-occurrence of Convergence Insufficiency and Cognitive Impairment in Parkinsonian Disorders: A Pilot Study. Front Neurol. 2019;10:864. PubMed PMID: 31447772
  • Hamedani AG, Pelak VS. The Charles Bonnet Syndrome: a Systematic Review of Diagnostic Criteria. Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2019 Jul 25;21(9):41. PubMed PMID: 31342218
  • Holden SK, Bettcher BM, Pelak VS. Update on posterior cortical atrophy. Curr Opin Neurol. 2020 Feb;33(1):68-73. PubMed PMID: 31688098
  • Bou Ghannam AS, Mehner LC, Pelak VS. Sialidosis Type 1 Without Cherry-Red Spot. J Neuroophthalmol. 2019 Sep;39(3):388-390. PubMed PMID: 31107347
  • Pelak VS, Bateman JR, Bettcher B. The Clinical Examination of Higher Order Visual Function: Syndrome-Based Approach. PDF. [NOVEL]. 2018. Available at: https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=1365811. January 8, 2019.
  • Bateman JR and Pelak VS. The Mental Status Examination. PDF. [NOVEL]. Available at: https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=1365832. January 9, 2019.
  • Bettcher BM, Bateman JR, Pelak VS. Neuropsychological Assessment. PDF. [NOVEL]. Available at: https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=1367993. May 31, 2019.
  • Pressman PS, Gola K, Shdo SM, Miller BL, Fredericks C, Mielke C, Pelak V, Rankin KP. Relative preservation of facial expression recognition in posterior cortical atrophy. Neurology. 2019 Mar 5;92(10):e1064-e1071. PubMed PMID: 30760634
  • Schofield JR, Palestine AG, Pelak V, Mathias MT. Deep capillary retinal ischemia and high-titer prothrombin-associated antiphospholipid antibodies: A case series of three patients. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2019 Jun;14:105-109. PubMed PMID: 31011663
  • Pelak VS, Berman BD. Transient Daily Episodes of Vision Loss Due to Parkinson's Disease. Neuroophthalmology. 2019 Aug;43(4):260-264. PubMed PMID: 31528193
  • Holden SK, Van Dok E, Pelak VS. Co-occurrence of Convergence Insufficiency and Cognitive Impairment in Parkinsonian Disorders: A Pilot Study. Front Neurol. 2019;10:864. PubMed PMID: 31447772
  • Chen JJ, Flanagan EP, Bhatti MT, Jitprapaikulsan J, Dubey D, Lopez Chiriboga ASS, Fryer JP, Weinshenker BG, McKeon A, Tillema JM, Lennon VA, Lucchinetti CF, Kunchok A, McClelland CM, Lee MS, Bennett JL, Pelak VS, Van Stavern G, Adesina OO, Eggenberger ER, Acierno MD, Wingerchuk DM, Lam BL, Moss H, Beres S, Gilbert AL, Shah V, Armstrong G, Heidary G, Cestari DM, Stiebel-Kalish H, Pittock SJ. Steroid-sparing maintenance immunotherapy for MOG-IgG associated disorder. Neurology. 2020 Jul 14;95(2):e111-e120. PubMed PMID: 32554760
  • Holden SK, Bettcher BM, Pelak VS. Update on posterior cortical atrophy. Curr Opin Neurol. 2020 Feb;33(1):68-73. PubMed PMID: 31688098
  • Liu Y, Pelak VS, van Stavern G, Moss HE. Higher Cortical Dysfunction Presenting as Visual Symptoms in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Neurol. 2020;11:679. PubMed PMID: 32903759
  • Berliner JM, Kluger BM, Corcos DM, Pelak VS, Gisbert R, McRae C, Atkinson CC, Schenkman M. Patient perceptions of visual, vestibular, and oculomotor deficits in people with Parkinson's disease. Physiother Theory Pract. 2020 Jun;36(6):701-708. PubMed PMID: 29979909
  • Mejia-Vergara AJ, Restrepo-Jimenez P, Pelak VS. Optical coherence tomography in mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neurol. 2020;11(1231). doi: 10.3389/fneur.2020.578698
  • Hall DA, Leehey MA, Hagerman RJ, Pelak VS. Eye Movements in Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome. J Neuroophthalmol. 2020 Oct 23. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33110011
  • Marin Paez Y, Patnaik JL, Lynch AM, Churney T, Jasso MC, Subramanian P, Mandava N, Holden SK, Pelak VS. Do Unrecognized Neurodegenerative Diseases Impact Age-Related Eye Disease Research Outcome Measures?" North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society 46th Annual Meeting, Amelia Island, FL, March 10, 2020.
  • Pelak VS. An Older Patient With Difficulty Reading. J Neuroophthalmol. 2021 Sep 1;41(3):e414. PubMed PMID: 34415286
  • Martin Paez Y, Bennett JL, Subramanian PS, Pelak VS. Considerations for the Treatment of Inflammatory Neuro-Ophthalmologic Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Neuroophthalmol. 2020 Sep;40(3):305-314. PubMed PMID: 32804456
  • Majersik JJ, Ahmed A, Chen IA, Shill H, Hanes GP, Pelak VS, Hopp JL, Omuro A, Kluger B, Leslie-Mazwi T. A shortage of neurologists - we must act now: a report from the AAN 2019 Transforming Leaders Program. Neurol. 2021;96:1122-1134. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012111.
  • High B, Hixon AM, Tyler KL, Piquet AL, Pelak VS. Neurology and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Gathering Data for an Informed Response. Neurol Clin Pract. 2021 Apr;11(2):e48-e63. PubMed PMID: 33842072
  • Olds JJ, Hills WL, Warner J, Falardeau J, Alasantro LH, Moster ML, Egan RA, Cornblath WT, Lee AG, Frishberg BM, Turbin RE, Katz DM, Charley JA, Pelak VS. Posterior Cortical Atrophy: Characteristics From a Clinical Data Registry. Front Neurol. 2020;11:358. PubMed PMID: 32581988
  • Hixon AM, Thaker AA, Pelak VS. Persistent visual dysfunction following posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome due to COVID-19: Case series and literature review. Eur J Neurol. 2021 Jun 11. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34115917
  • Potter H, Boyd TD, Clarke P, Pelak VS, Tyler KL. Recruiting the innate immune system with GM-CSF to fight viral diseases, including West Nile Virus encephalitis and COVID-19. F1000Res. 2020;9:345. PubMed PMID: 32704352
  • High B, Hixon AM, Tyler KL, Piquet AL, Pelak VS. Neurology and the COVID-19 pandemic: Gathering data for an informed response. Neurol Clin Pract. 2020. Accepted and first published July 19, 2020. DOI: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000908.
  • Pelak VS. Visual cortical disorders. In: Della Sala S, ed. Encyclopedia of Behavioral Neuroscience, 2nd Edition. Elsevier Science. 2021:579-586. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819641-0.00055-4.
  • AAN NeuroBytes: Optic Neuritis: Red Flags in the Diagnosis https://learning.aan.com/diweb/catalog/item?id=6487678 Accessed on November 3, 2021
  • Holden SK, Pelak VS, Sooy T, Heffernan KS, McConnell BV, Pressman PS, Bettcher BM. Development of the Colorado posterior cortical questionnaire within an Alzheimer's disease study cohort. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2022 Apr;44(3):226-236. PubMed PMID: 35913095
  • Pelak VS. The clinical approach to the identification of higher-order visual dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2022 Apr;22(4):229-242. PubMed PMID: 35320467
  • Kletenik I, Ferguson MA, Bateman JR, Cohen AL, Lin C, Tetreault A, Pelak VS, Anderson CA, Prasad S, Darby RR, Fox MD. Network Localization of Unconscious Visual Perception in Blindsight. Ann Neurol. 2022 Feb;91(2):217-224. PubMed PMID: 34961965
  • AAN NeuroBytes: NeuroBytes: Approach to Transient Monocular Vision Loss https://learning.aan.com/diweb/catalog/item?id=6486639 Accessed on November 3, 2021
  • Pelak VS, Holden SK, Crutch SJ, Yong, Keir XX. Platform Presentation. Survey outcomes on neuropsychological testing in posterior cortical atrophy. 2021 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Denver, CO, July 26, 2021
  • Pelak VS, Mahmood A, Abe-Ridgway K. Perspectives and a Systematic Scoping Review on Longitudinal Profiles of Posterior Cortical Atrophy Syndrome. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2022 Nov;22(11):803-812. PubMed PMID: 36242715
  • Scott GD, Arnold MR, Beach TG, Gibbons CH, Kanthasamy AG, Lebovitz RM, Lemstra AW, Shaw LM, Teunissen CE, Zetterberg H, Taylor AS, Graham TC, Boeve BF, Gomperts SN, Graff-Radford NR, Moussa CE-H, Poston KL, Rosenthal LS, Sabbagh MN, Walsh RR, Weber MT, Armstrong MJ, Bang JA, Bozoki AC, Domoto-Reilly K, Duda JE, Fleisher JE, Galasko DR, Galvin JE, Goldman JG, Holden SK, Honig LS, Huddleston DE, Leverenz JB, Litvan I, Manning CA, Marder KS, Pantelyat AY, Pelak VS, Scharre DW, Sha SJ, Shill HA, Zoltan M, Quinn JF, Irwin DJ. Fluid and Tissue Biomarkers of Lewy Body Dementia: Report of an LBDA Symposium. Virtual Event, January 25, 2021. doi:10.20944/preprints202109.0133.v1
  • Grande M, Lattanzio L, Buard I, McKendrick AM, Chan YM, Pelak VS. A Study Protocol for an Open-Label Feasibility Treatment Trial of Visual Snow Syndrome With Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Front Neurol. 2021;24(12):724081. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2021.724081.
  • White OB, Fielding J, Pelak VS, Schankin CJ. Editorial: Visual Snow: Old Problem, New Understanding. Front Neurol. 2022 Apr 15;13:884752. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2022.884752. Erratum in: Front Neurol. 2022 Jul 01;13:969405. PMID: 35493832; PMCID: PMC9051336.
  • Scott GD, Arnold MR, Beach TG, Gibbons CH, Kanthasamy AG, Lebovitz RM, Lemstra AW, Shaw LM, Teunissen CE, Zetterberg H, Taylor AS, Graham TC, Boeve BF, Gomperts SN, Graff-Radford NR, Moussa CEH, Poston KL, Rosenthal LS, Sabbagh MN, Walsh RR, Weber MT, Armstrong MJ, Bang JA, Bozoki AC, Domoto-Reilly K, Duda JE, Fleisher JE, Galasko DR, Galvin JE, Goldman JG, Holden SK, Honig LS, Huddleston DE, Leverenz JB, Litvan I, Manning CA, Marder KS, Pantelyat AY, Pelak VS, Scharre DW, Sha SJ, Shill HA, Zoltan M, Quinn JF, Irwin DJ. Fluid and Tissue Biomarkers of Lewy Body Dementia: Report of an LBDA Symposium. Front Neurol. Accepted for publication on January 31, 2022. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2021.805135
  • Nathan C. Grove BS, Victoria S. Pelak MD, Karen L. Christopher MD, Brandie D. Wagner PhD, Anne M. Lynch MB, BCH, BAO, MSPH, Jennifer L. Patnaik PhD. “Cataract phacoemulsification in dementia patients: Characterization and outcomes”. Abstract 3708586. Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Denver, CO. May 1-4, 2022.
  • Abraham AG, Hong C, Deal JA, Bettcher BM, Pelak VS, Gross A, Jiang K, Swenor B, Wittich W. Are cognitive researchers ignoring their senses? The problem of sensory deficit in cognitive aging research. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023 May;71(5):1369-1377. PubMed PMID: 36680402
  • Holden SK, Bettcher BM, Filley CM, Lopez-Paniagua D, Pelak VS. Posterior white matter integrity and self-reported posterior cortical symptoms using the Colorado Posterior Cortical Questionnaire. Front Neurol. 2023;14:1072938. PubMed PMID: 36816576
  • Thaker AA, McConnell BV, Rogers DM, Carlson NE, Coughlan C, Jensen AM, Lopez-Paniagua D, Holden SK, Pressman PS, Pelak VS, Filley CM, Potter H, Solano DA, Heffernan KS, Bettcher BM. Astrogliosis, neuritic microstructure, and sex effects: GFAP is an indicator of neuritic orientation in women. Brain Behav Immun. 2023 Jun 30;113:124-135. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 37394144
  • Holden SK, Bettcher BM, Filley CM, Lopez-Paniagua D, Pelak VS. Posterior white matter integrity and self-reported posterior cortical symptoms using the Colorado Posterior Cortical Questionnaire. Front Neurol. 2023;14:1072938. PubMed PMID: 36816576
  • Abraham AG, Hong C, Deal JA, Bettcher BM, Pelak VS, Gross A, Jiang K, Swenor B, Wittich W. Are cognitive researchers ignoring their senses? The problem of sensory deficit in cognitive aging research. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023 May;71(5):1369-1377. PubMed PMID: 36680402
  • Lattanzio L, Buard I, McKendrick AM, Chan YM, Pelak VS. Repetitive TMS pilot trial for visual snow syndrome: adverse event report. Brain Stimul. 2023;16:5-6. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2023.07.020
  • Thaker AA, McConnell BV, Rogers DM, Carlson NE, Coughlan C, Jensen AM, Lopez-Paniagua D, Holden SK, Pressman PS, Pelak VS, Filley CM, Potter H, Solano DA, Heffernan KS, Bettcher BM. Astrogliosis, neuritic microstructure, and sex effects: GFAP is an indicator of neuritic orientation in women. Brain Behav Immun. 2023 Oct;113:124-135. PubMed PMID: 37394144
  • Pelak VS, Tang-Wai DF, Boeve BF, Bouwman FH, Graff-Radford J, Rabinovici G, Holden SK, Townley RA, Day GS, Whitwell J, Ossenkoppele R, Boon BDC, Putcha D, Onyike CU, Snyder H, Crutch S, Yong KXX. Consensus recommendations for clinical assessment tools for the diagnosis of posterior cortical atrophy syndrome from the Atypical AD PIA of ISTAART. Alzheimer Dement. 2023;15:e12474. doi:10.1002/dad2.12474
  • Matthews E, Tyler KL, Pelak VS, Pastula DM. Beware of abbreviations: John Cunningham (JC) versus Jamestown Canyon virus. Br J Ophthalmol. 2023. https://bjo.bmj.com/content/beware-abbreviations-john-cunningham-jc-versus-jamestown-canyon-virus
  • Grove NC, Pelak VS, Christopher KL, Wagner BD, Lynch AM, Patnaik JL. Cataract phacoemulsification in people with dementia: characterization and outcomes. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. Published 16 Nov 2023. doi: 10.1080/09286586.2023.2279113
  • Abbott K, Pelak V. Case Report: Topiramate-associated bilateral monocular diplopia, palinopsia, and photopsia. Clinical Insights in Eyecare. 2023;1(2).
  • Grove NC, Patnaik JL, Taravella M, Pelak VS. Neuroadaptation to multifocal intraocular lens: factors contributing to satisfaction. 14th International Conference on Low Vision Rehabilitation. 2023
  • Pelak VS, Taravella M, Grove NC, Patnaik JL. Neuroadaptability to Multifocal Intraocular Lens after Cataract Extraction: Pilot Evidence of an Association with Cognition. Annals of Neurology Volume 94 Supplement 30, 2023.
  • Pelak VS, Krishnan V, Serva S, Pressman P, Mahmood A, Noteboom L, Bettcher BM, Sillau SH, Callen AL, Thaker AA. Lobar Microbleeds in the Posterior Cortical Atrophy Syndrome: A Comparison to Typical Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2024 Feb;24(2):27-33. PubMed PMID: 38261145
  • Chapleau M, La Joie R, Yong K, Agosta F, Allen IE, Apostolova L, Best J, Boon BDC, Crutch S, Filippi M, Fumagalli GG, Galimberti D, Graff-Radford J, Grinberg LT, Irwin DJ, Josephs KA, Mendez MF, Mendez PC, Migliaccio R, Miller ZA, Montembeault M, Murray ME, Nemes S, Pelak V, Perani D, Phillips J, Pijnenburg Y, Rogalski E, Schott JM, Seeley W, Sullivan AC, Spina S, Tanner J, Walker J, Whitwell JL, Wolk DA, Ossenkoppele R, Rabinovici GD. Demographic, clinical, biomarker, and neuropathological correlates of posterior cortical atrophy: an international cohort study and individual participant data meta-analysis. Lancet Neurol. 2024 Feb;23(2):168-177. PubMed PMID: 38267189
  • Grove NC, Pelak VS, Christopher KL, Wagner BD, Lynch AM, Patnaik JL. Cataract Phacoemulsification in People with Dementia: Characterization and Outcomes. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2024 Oct;31(5):400-408. PubMed PMID: 37971269
  • Bateman JR, Josephy-Hernandez S, Apostolova LG, Benjamin S, Barrett AM, Boeve BF, Budson AE, Chemali Z, Lin CR, Daffner KR, Geschwind MD, Heilman KM, Hillis AE, Holden SK, Jaffee MS, Kletenik I, Love MN, Moo LR, Pelak VS, Press DZ, Ramirez-Gomez L, Rosen HJ, Schmahmann JD, Vaishnavi SN, Windon CC, Hamilton RH, Perez DL. Promoting Growth in Behavioral Neurology: A Path Forward. Cogn Behav Neurol. 2024 Jun 1;37(2):49-56. PubMed PMID: 38717325
  • Pelak VS. Visual agnosias. In: Roos RP, Editor-in-Chief. MedLink Neurology. San Diego: MedLink, LLC. Available at https://www.medlink.com/articles/visual-agnosias. Originally released on [October 2023]. Updated 07-17-2024.
  • Bettcher BM, Lopez Paniagua D, Wang Y, McConnell BV, Coughlan C, Carlisle TC, Thaker AA, Lippitt W, Filley CM, Pelak VS, Shapiro ALB, Heffernan KS, Potter H, Solano A, Boyd J, Carlson NE. Synergistic effects of GFAP and Aß42: Implications for white matter integrity and verbal memory across the cognitive spectrum. Brain Behav Immun Health. 2024 Oct;40:100834. PubMed PMID: 39206431
  • Pelak VS. Screening battery for higher-order visual dysfunction due to neurodegenerative disease. Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Education Library: NOVEL Website. September 2024. Available at: https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s64nh92v. Accessed September 4, 2024.
  • Pelak VS. Hallucinations, Visual and Auditory. Editor(s): Michael J. Aminoff, Robert B. Daroff, In: Encyclopedia of the Neurological Sciences (Third Edition), Academic Press, 2024, Pages 1-9, ISBN xxx. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95702-1.00092-0
  • Pelak VS. The Posterior Cortical Atrophy Syndrome. Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology. Elsevier; 2024.
  • Pelak VS. Intracranial Hemorrhage: Classification and Mechanisms. Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Education Library: NOVEL Website. October 2024. Available at: https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s629g7mn
  • Suárez-González A, Bier N, Sauvageau H, Pelak VS, Ahmed S. Cognitive rehabilitation in posterior cortical atrophy. Pract Neurol. 2024;pn-2024-004259. doi:10.1136/pn-2024-004259

Professional Memberships

  • American Academy of Neurology, Member
  • North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society, Member
  • Colorado Society of Clinical Neurologists, Member
  • Colorado Clinical and Transational Science Inst., Member
  • Center for Neuroscience, Member
  • Rocky Mountain Region Neurosciences Group, Member
  • American Neurological Association, Member

Practice Locations

UCHealth Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center
1675 Aurora Ct
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-2020

Hospital Affiliation
  • University of Colorado Hospital

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Neurology, Board Certification (1999)
  • Behavioral Neurology
  • Neuro-ophthalmology
  • Neuro-Ophthalmology, Specialized Training (1999)
  • Behavioral Neurology - Certified, Specialized Training (0001)
Conditions & Treatments
  • Eyes and Vision
  • Brain and Nervous System
  • Eyes and Vision - Neuro-Ophthalmology
Clinical Interests
Visual changes associated with neurodegeneration.

Care Philosophy
I believe in patient-centered care, which means the patient's needs are at the center of the visit.