Optimal neuro|spine

Has the future of spinal cord injury treatment arrived? On this episode, I sit down with Drs. Gregoire Courtine and Jocelyne Bloch to discuss their recently published and highly publicized paper on restoring motor function after paralysis. They briefly dive into their protocol, their approach to Epi-Stim, and their answer to the magic wand question.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• A brief overview of the recent paper published by Drs. Courtine and Bloch [2:43]
• How Drs. Courtine and Bloch designed their protocol to strengthen residual pathways [5:31] 
• What Dr. Courtine wished he knew 20 years ago [7:46]
• Dr. Bloch’s training and evolution as a neurosurgeon [8:48]
• Dr. Courtine breaks down his approach to Epi-Stim [10:36]
• Drs. Courtine and Bloch answer the magic wand question [12:27]

Resources & People Mentioned

How do we optimize spinal surgery outcomes? Dr. Steven Glassman believes better data is the answer! On this episode, we discuss the American Spine Registry, what it is, what it's currently being used for, and its potential to provide better evidence for spine surgery, improve patient outcomes, and establish universal best practices.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Getting to know Dr. Glassman, his clinical practice, and why he chose spine research [0:59]
• Exploring the nature and necessity of registries [3:56]
• What is the American Spine Registry, what areas of spine surgery are represented by it, and how long has it been in place? [6:27]
• What areas of spine surgery are represented by the ASR? [13:24]
• The most surprising findings from studies based off of the Quality Outcomes Database [18:08] 
• Predicting the future evolution of the ASR [21:35]
• Examining ASR logistics and how hospitals can join the registry [25:10]
• How the ASR can bring better clarity to spine surgery outcomes [28:28]
• Using the ASR to develop predictive models and the role imaging plays with the registry [30:50]
• Exciting future studies and the magic wand question [35:15]

Resources & People Mentioned

Have you ever misplaced your keys or forgotten a random fact and worried that you had a neurodegenerative disease? What is the difference between Alzheimer’s and simply getting old? On this episode, I sit down with memory and aging expert, Dr. Robert Friedland, to discuss his research, how Alzheimer’s is diagnosed, and habits you can start right now to help protect your brain and keep it healthy.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Dr. Friedland’s current clinical practice and research focus [3:25]
• The logistics of Dr. Friedland’s research [9:16]
• Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and the current status of treatment options [11:02] 
• Aging versus Alzheimer’s and the four factors that impact how you age [18:57]
• Why Dr. Friedland chose memory as his medical focus [30:47]
• Dr. Friedland’s most surprising discoveries and the magic wand question [34:26]

Connect with Dr. Robert Friedland

Training to become a neurosurgeon is both incredibly rewarding and incredibly difficult. But is it more difficult than it needs to be and how can we make the experience better? On this episode, I’m pleased to speak with University of Louisville chief resident Dr. Aurora Cruz about neurosurgical training, residency, leadership, burnout, and her advice for prospective neurosurgery residents. 

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• A day in the life of a modern neurosurgery resident [3:56]
• How COVID has affected the neurosurgery training experience [5:24]
• The unexpected challenges of neurosurgery residency [7:18]
• Dr. Cruz’s advice for residents with spouses and children [9:22]
• Advice for those considering studying neurosurgery [12:18]
• Pursuing professional goals in the field of neurosurgery [13:57]
• Fighting burnout and improving resident wellness [21:02]
• The biggest impediments to learning neurosurgery and the acquisition of appropriate psychomotor skills [26:38]
• Mentorship in neurosurgery residency [29:27]
• Describing the modern neurosurgery residency experience [32:48]
• Training neurosurgery residents to become better leaders [39:52]
• Book recommendations from Dr. Cruz [42:48]
• Advice for struggling residents [44:10]
• Dr. Cruz answers the magic wand question [46:32]

Resources & People Mentioned

Few people have as long or as distinguished a career as Dr. Haring Nauta. On this episode, we discuss his observations about neurosurgical residency, neurosurgical training, and how to improve the quality of that experience. We also dive into his exciting work using the punctate myelotomy procedure to treat pain and current research topics.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Diving into the current practice of Dr. Nauta [3:02]
• What is a punctate midline myelotomy and how does it help neurosurgical pain? [10:03]
• The logistics of a punctate myelotomy [26:00]
• Dr. Nauta’s thoughts on the evolution of neurosurgical training [32:11]
• Defining leadership and the qualities that make a good chief resident [38:48]
• Fighting the resident burnout epidemic and the role of emotional intelligence [41:42]
• Looking back at Dr. Nauta’s incredible career [46:05]
• Dr. Nauta’s advice for young neurosurgeons striving for excellence [49:39] 
• Dr. Nauta answers the magic wand question [55:30]

Connect with Dr. Haring Nauta