Think Neuro-logo

Think Neuro

Medical

The Think Neuro podcast from Pacific Neuroscience Institute takes you into the clinic, operating room and laboratory with doctors and surgeons who are tackling the most challenging brain diseases and disorders. You’ll go deep into the brain and beyond, exploring the neurological processes and structures that control our health, hormones, behaviors, movements, moods, and emotions. You’ll learn about new therapies that are giving hope for sufferers of the most challenging diseases, and you’ll hear about some habits you can develop to keep your brain in good working order for years to come. We’ll show you why patients from around the world are coming to Pacific Neuroscience Institute for novel treatments that are in many instances, available at few other institutions. pacificneuro.org | (310) 582-7640 Think Neuro’s host is Anthony Effinger, an award-winning journalist who is fascinated with neuroscience and the workings of the brain. Anthony spent 24 years at Bloomberg News, where he covered money and finance, with deep forays into science and health. In 2006, the Association of Health Care Journalists awarded him first prize for Playing the Odds, an in-depth piece on the changing strategies used to treat prostate cancer. These days, he is a staff writer at Willamette Week, a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper in Portland, Oregon, where he lives with his wife and two children. He won the 2022 award for health care journalism from the Association of Alternative Newsmedia for his piece on the disproven Covid remedy ivermectin and the anti-vaxx Portland biologist who was its biggest booster.

Location:

United States

Description:

The Think Neuro podcast from Pacific Neuroscience Institute takes you into the clinic, operating room and laboratory with doctors and surgeons who are tackling the most challenging brain diseases and disorders. You’ll go deep into the brain and beyond, exploring the neurological processes and structures that control our health, hormones, behaviors, movements, moods, and emotions. You’ll learn about new therapies that are giving hope for sufferers of the most challenging diseases, and you’ll hear about some habits you can develop to keep your brain in good working order for years to come. We’ll show you why patients from around the world are coming to Pacific Neuroscience Institute for novel treatments that are in many instances, available at few other institutions. pacificneuro.org | (310) 582-7640 Think Neuro’s host is Anthony Effinger, an award-winning journalist who is fascinated with neuroscience and the workings of the brain. Anthony spent 24 years at Bloomberg News, where he covered money and finance, with deep forays into science and health. In 2006, the Association of Health Care Journalists awarded him first prize for Playing the Odds, an in-depth piece on the changing strategies used to treat prostate cancer. These days, he is a staff writer at Willamette Week, a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper in Portland, Oregon, where he lives with his wife and two children. He won the 2022 award for health care journalism from the Association of Alternative Newsmedia for his piece on the disproven Covid remedy ivermectin and the anti-vaxx Portland biologist who was its biggest booster.

Language:

English


Episodes

Think Neuro Mini: Understanding Pseudotumor Cerebri with Dr. Alexander Solomon

3/27/2024
Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is a condition caused by elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the brain. The symptoms of this condition mimic those of a brain tumor, giving it the name pseudotumor cerebri, meaning "false brain tumor." The increased pressure can cause swelling of the optic nerve and can result in loss of vision. Medications can often reduce the pressure and headache, but surgery is necessary in some cases. Alexander M. Solomon, MD, is a neuro-ophthalmologist and strabismus surgeon at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica and Torrance, CA. Dr. Solomon’s personal philosophy is that each patient is individual and that diagnosis and optimal management of any disease is best carried out in conjunction with patient and family education, and understanding. His skillset includes visual field analysis and optical coherence tomography interpretation, as well as advanced adult strabismus diagnosis and treatment including thyroid eye disease, cranial nerve palsies, and orbital disease. Clinic: 310-829-8701 Dr. Solomon: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/people/alexander-solomon/ Consultation: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/eye-ent/our-center/schedule-a-consultation/ Website: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/eye-ent/vision/

Duration:00:02:44

53. Understanding the Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options for Multiple Sclerosis | Barbara Giesser, MD - Guest Podcast

3/20/2024
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that damages the nerves. It affects about a million people in the U.S., primarily women. Join us for “Multiple Sclerosis Explained” where podcast host Kym Douglas talks with Pacific Neuroscience Institute physician Dr. Barbara Giesser about MS symptoms, the importance of early diagnosis, and the medication, symptom management, and lifestyle options now available for controlling the disease.

Duration:00:49:50

Think Neuro Mini: What is Palliative Care? with Dr. Akanksha Sharma

3/13/2024
Dr. Akanksha Sharma is a neuro-oncologist and palliative medicine specialist at the Pacific Brain Tumor Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA. To provide extra resources to brain cancer patients suffering from brain tumors such as glioblastoma and their care partners. Dr. Akanksha Sharma is a neuro-oncologist and palliative medicine specialist at the Pacific Brain Tumor Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA. To provide extra resources to brain cancer patients suffering from brain tumors such as glioblastoma and their care partners, Dr. Sharma opened a Supportive Care Clinic in 2020. The clinic offers services to deal with symptoms, quality of life, care partner burden and distress, and help alleviate suffering. PacificBrainTumor.org | 310-829-8265

Duration:00:01:36

Think Neuro Mini: The Gut-Brain Connection with Dr. Melita Petrossian

3/6/2024
You're probably hearing a lot more about the "human microbiome" these days. It's the collection of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that lives alongside us, inside and out. Some of these organisms are beneficial, and some are harmful. There is growing evidence that bad actors in our digestive tract may produce toxins that travel along the vagus nerve to the brain, where they clump and cause Parkinson's disease. Listen to this PNI Minute to understand this unexpected connection between gut health and the brain.

Duration:00:03:19

Treating Strabismus at PNI with Dr. Alexander M. Solomon

2/28/2024
Strabismus, commonly referred to as “crossed eyes” or “lazy eye,” is a visual condition characterized by an improper alignment of the eyes. In individuals with strabismus, the eyes do not work together as a coordinated pair, causing one eye to be misaligned relative to the other. This misalignment can be constant or intermittent and can affect one eye or both eyes. Alexander M. Solomon, MD, is a neuro-ophthalmologist and strabismus surgeon at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica and Torrance, CA. Dr. Solomon’s personal philosophy is that each patient is an individual and that diagnosis and optimal management of any disease is best carried out in conjunction with patient and family education, and understanding.

Duration:00:02:20

52. Navigating New Frontiers: Exploring Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy at TRIP | Micah Linton, PsyD & Juliana Hudson, LCSW

2/21/2024
In the complex landscape of mental health, a revolution is underway: psychedelic-assisted therapy. At the forefront of this movement is the TRIP Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. The Treatment & Research In Psychedelics Center is breaking new ground, treating patients with ketamine-assisted therapy as well as conducting rigorous clinical trials to understand the potential of psychedelics in tackling mental health issues and enhancing quality of life. Dr. Micah Linton is a seasoned licensed clinical psychologist at PNI, and Juliana Hudson is a visionary licensed clinical social worker. Both are fervent believers in the transformative power of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Micah’s interest was kindled at consciousness conferences. Juliana's journey was sparked by the profound impact these compounds can have in therapy, unlocking deeply buried emotions and facilitating profound experiences. Join us as we delve into this paradigm shift, uncovering how PNI is blazing a trail in the realm of psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Duration:00:50:08

Think Neuro Mini: Pacific Spine Health Center with Dr. Jian Guan

2/14/2024
Dr. Jian Guan is a fellowship trained neurosurgeon with a special focus on complex spine surgery at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. Dedicated to the care of patients with spine and neck conditions, he practices at PNI-South Bay / Spine Institute at Little Company of Mary in Torrance, California. With over 75 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Guan has a particular clinical and research interest in ways of maximizing benefit to patients following neurosurgical procedures.

Duration:00:01:31

Essential Tremor with Dr. Natalie Diaz

2/7/2024
Essential tremor is the most common movement disorder in humans, and its causes are among the most mysterious. It’s a neurological condition that causes involuntary shaking. It can begin in one’s 20s or 30s, or much later in life. Dr. Natalie Diaz treats essential tremors. Its origins may be unknown, but there are treatments. The first step is to talk to your doctor to rule out other forms of tremor because there are many.

Duration:00:05:07

Minimally Invasive Neuro-ophthalmology Surgery with Dr. Howard Krauss

1/31/2024
Sometimes the best surgery is no surgery. That's what Howard R. Krauss, MD believes. Dr. Krauss is one of the four founders of Pacific Neuroscience Institute, and Director of the Pacific Eye, Ear and Skull Base Center. He is a surgical neuro-ophthalmologist specializing in diagnostic neuro-ophthalmology, including visual field analysis and optical coherence tomography, as well as strabismus, orbital and anterior skull base surgery. If surgery is necessary, Dr. Krauss has the experience to provide minimally invasive treatments. He was a cofounder of the UCLA Skull Base Surgery and Orbitocranial Tumor Programs, and is presently active in skull base and orbital disease, and tumor care at PNI. In 2001, Dr. Krauss and fellow PNI founder Dr. Chester Griffiths were the first in the world to devise and carry out Transnasal Image-Guided Endoscopic Orbital Tumor Surgery, a safer, less invasive and more efficacious approach to the management of orbital apex tumors.

Duration:00:03:02

What Is Moyamoya Disease? with Dr. Adi Iyer

1/24/2024
Moyamoya disease is a rare neurovascular condition that can affect both children and adults and is caused by progressive narrowing or blockage of the major blood vessels supplying the brain. The result is a lack of necessary blood flow to the brain, which can cause stroke, mini-stroke (TIA – transient ischemic attack) or bleeding into the brain. Numerous tiny vessels develop around the blockage in an attempt to compensate for the lowered blood flow, leading to a smoky appearance of these vessels on imaging. This smoky appearance is what gives the disease its name, as “moyamoya” means puff of smoke in Japanese. Aditya (Adi) Iyer MD, MS, is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon with a focus on vascular diseases of the brain and spine at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. As one of California’s few dual-trained neurosurgeons, Dr. Iyer is able to offer both minimally invasive open surgical techniques as well as incisionless catheter based procedures to treat patients with strokes, aneurysms, AVMs, tumors and pain.

Duration:00:04:10

51. Cochlear Implants, Once a Luxury, Are Helping More People Hear | Dr. Rebecca Lewis

1/17/2024
For people with hearing loss, properly-fitted hearing aids can be a miracle, restoring sounds of life that have been lost to aging or disease. But sometimes hearing aids aren’t enough, or a patient’s hearing deteriorates beyond the devices’ capabilities. Then, it’s time to consider cochlear implants—small electronic devices that go beyond hearing aids. They bypass damaged hair cells in the ear and send electronic signals straight to the auditory nerve. Dr. Rebecca Lewis is an audiologist who specializes in evaluating patients who might be eligible for cochlear implants. Until recently, doctors installed the devices only after people had lost almost all of their hearing. But because hearing is crucial to social connection, and social connection is key to staving off dementia, the bar for cochlear implants is coming down. Anyone who has tried a few sets of hearing aids and still can’t understand conversation should consider cochlear implants, Dr. Lewis says. Listen to this episode to learn some fascinating things about how our ears and nerves allow us to hear the world, and whether you or a family member should consider cochlear implants.

Duration:00:37:29

Think Neuro Mini: Welcome to the Pituitary Disorders Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute

1/10/2024
Our multidisciplinary team is here to help you and your loved ones understand your condition and determine an optimal treatment plan. Because of our expertise, we treat many patients with the most challenging of pituitary and skull base tumors, including many with prior treatments (recurrent or residual tumors) and patients who have been deemed “non-operative."

Duration:00:04:11

Think Neuro Mini: What are Chordomas? with Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD

1/3/2024
Chordomas are rare tumors of the brain and spine that have limited surgical and neuro-oncological treatments. Learn about potential new treatment from a clinical trial published in 2023.

Duration:00:02:30

Think Neuro Mini: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) with Dr. David Merrill

12/27/2023
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) represents an exciting non-medication and noninvasive option for treatment of some brain health conditions, specifically TMS for depression. TMS works by using magnetic therapy in the form of magnetic field pulses to stimulate the brain’s nerve cells to alleviate the symptoms associated with depression. In addition, there is growing research exploring the effectiveness of TMS in other neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders. At Pacific Brain Health Center, Dr. David Merrill offers TMS for depression using a MagVenture device. It offers a unique, short, 3 minute TBS (theta burst) protocol for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in adult patients who have failed to receive satisfactory improvements from prior antidepressant medication in the current episode.

Duration:00:03:12

50. Loneliness, a Panel Discussion | Drs. Gowrinathan, Kochhar, Voelker

12/20/2023
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s another scourge raging in the U.S: loneliness. About 17% of Americans reported feeling lonely “a lot of the day yesterday,” when polled by Gallup earlier this year, and a staggering 41% of single people said they did. Doctors at PNI discover loneliness in their patients, often for specific causes that can be treated. Dr. Courtney Voelker, director of PNI’s Adult & Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program, sees patients with hearing so compromised that they can’t follow conversations with loved ones. Dr. Amit Kochhar, director of the Facial Nerve Disorders Program at PNI, has patients who are unwilling to socialize because their facial paralysis prevents them from smiling or expressing other emotions. And Dr. Shanthi Gowrinathan, Director of Psycho-Oncology at the Pacific Brain Health Center, works with patients struggling with depression from a cancer diagnosis. Each of them has tools to help. Dr. Voelker restores hearing with cochlear implants. Dr. Kochhar repairs facial nerves to restore facial function. Dr. Gowrinathan offers cognitive therapy, writing groups, and even horse therapy. Horses have some of the highest emotional intelligence in the animal world, and cancer patients often find relief from just being around them. Listen to this podcast to learn more about how PNI doctors are fighting the loneliness epidemic.

Duration:00:46:44

Think Neuro Mini: Stroke Research at Pacific Neuroscience Institute with Dr. Jason Tarpley

12/13/2023
Jason W. Tarpley, MD, PhD is a board-certified neurologist with fellowship training in vascular and interventional neurology. He specializes in the clinical care of patients with neurovascular disorders and has specific interest in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, cerebral aneurysms, and carotid artery stenosis. He is an investigator in many phase 2 and phase 3 clinical studies examining the safety and effectiveness of innovative therapies in stroke patients. He has published several papers and presented his research at domestic and international conferences. Dr. Tarpley serves as the Stroke Medical Director for Pacific Stroke and Neurovascular Center. He is also the clinical lead for Providence’s system-wide Clinical Stroke Research.

Duration:00:02:08

Think Neuro Mini: The MIND Diet for Parkinson's Disease with Dr. Melita Petrossian

12/6/2023
There are no specific diets that have been shown to reduce the progression of PD. However, there is good reason to believe that a well-balanced, nutritious diet would be best. In those without other medical conditions, the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurogenerative Delay (MIND) diet may be of benefit in Parkinson’s as well since both are neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Duration:00:03:33

Think Neuro Mini: Intracranial Aneurysms with Dr. Sandra Narayanan

11/29/2023
A brain aneurysm is also called a cerebral aneurysm or an intracranial aneurysm and refers to the same diagnosis. Muscular-walled tubes blood vessels called arteries are part of our circulation system. These tubes are how blood is conveyed from the heart to the brain, carrying oxygen and nutrients to support the brain and its functions. A diagnosis of a brain aneurysm means that a bulging, weak area exists in the wall of one of the arteries that supplies blood to the brain. Sandra Narayanan, MD, FAHA, FANA, FSVIN, FAAN, is board-certified in neurology and vascular neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and CAST (Committee on Advanced Subspecialty Training)-certified in neuroendovascular surgery. She is a vascular neurologist and neurointerventional surgeon at Pacific Stroke & Neurovascular Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute. She is director of the neurointerventional program and co-director of the stroke program at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank.

Duration:00:03:25

Think Neuro Mini: Thyroid Eye Disease with Dr. Alexander Solomon

11/22/2023
Thyroid eye disease, also known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy or Graves’ orbitopathy, is an autoimmune condition that primarily affects the tissues and muscles around the eyes. It is most commonly associated with an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), particularly in individuals with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid. Alexander M. Solomon, MD, is a neuro-ophthalmologist and strabismus surgeon at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica and Torrance, CA. Dr. Solomon’s personal philosophy is that each patient is an individual and that diagnosis and optimal management of any disease is best carried out in conjunction with patient and family education, and understanding.

Duration:00:01:56

49. Exercise is Fertilizer for the Brain | Dr. David Merrill

11/15/2023
For decades, people thought physical exercise benefited only the body. But every year we learn how incorrect that was, and Dr. David Merrill, director of PNI’s brain health center, is one of the people pushing our knowledge forward. It turns out that exercise builds the brain by prompting the production of brain derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF. “Trophic” compounds cause things to grow, and BDNF helps create new connections among neurons, which is how we learn. In short, BDNF is fertilizer for the brain, Dr. Merrill says. In a perfect world, we would be able to take BDNF in a pill, like a vitamin. But it’s a big, clunky molecule that doesn’t pass easily from blood to brain. Exercise gets the job done, boosting BDNF and keeping our brains nimble. That fact makes exercise crucial as we age. Pumping iron, and therefore pumping up BDNF, promotes brain plasticity: the ability to change, grow and adapt to the insults that come with growing older. Listen to this episode to hear how you can boost BDNF through exercise and stay sharp into your golden years.

Duration:00:37:50