Optimal neuro|spine

Chronic pain impacts fifteen to twenty percent of the world and costs the population of the United States somewhere around $500 billion a year. And even though opiates are commonly prescribed to treat chronic pain, the epidemic we’re seeing from opiate addiction is staggering. There has to be a better way! That’s exactly what my guest for this episode has dedicated his life to discovering. Join me for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Vania Apkarian as we discuss what causes chronic pain, its relationship to the brain, and the future of chronic pain management.

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

• Defining chronic pain [1:59]
• How well do we manage chronic pain? [4:20] 
• The biggest misconceptions about the relationship between acute and chronic pain [6:07]
• Dr. Apkarian’s most significant findings on the mechanisms of chronic pain [7:18]
• The role of the mesocorticolimbic system in chronic pain [13:52] 
• The relationship between addiction and chronic pain [16:19]
• The role of learning and memory for development and maintenance of pain [18:42] 
• Examining the ways chronic pain changes the brain [23:42] 
• What Dr. Apkarian needs surgeons to know about chronic pain [26:42] 
• Dr. Apkarian’s most gratifying contribution to his field [29:25]

Resources & People Mentioned

• Chronic Pain: The Role of Learning and Brain Plasticity (Paper)
• Brain Mechanisms of Chronic Pain: Critical Role of Translational Approach (Paper)

Connect with Dr. Vania Apkarian

• Dr. Apkarian’s website 

Connect With Maxwell Boakye

• https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast 
• Like on Facebook
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• Follow on LinkedIn
• DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com

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When we think of neural prosthetics, we typically think of devices that enable patients to overcome a deficit in normal function after injury. However, Dr. Eric Leuthardt’s research is challenging us to rethink how humans interact with machines. What if repairing a deficit is just the beginning? What if we could use a neural interface to actually enhance human function? In my fascinating conversation with Dr.Leuthardt, we seek to answer those questions and discuss the future implications of his groundbreaking research.

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

• Understanding Dr. Leuthardt’s current clinical practice [1:32] 
• How Dr. Leuthardt got involved in his field of research [3:52] 
• Dr. Leuthardt’s unique approach to BCI [6:21] 
• Using neural interfaces to enhance human function [8:47] 
• How Dr. Leuthardt’s theological background has shaped his research [15:33]
• Blurring the lines between science fiction and reality [17:05]
• Dr. Leuthardt’s advice for future innovators [20:41] 
• The most gratifying aspects of Dr. Leuthardt’s work [24:47] 
• The first FDA-approved Brain Computer Interface [27:04]

Resources & People Mentioned

• Defining Surgical Terminology and Risk for Brain Computer Interface Technologies (Paper) 

Connect with Dr. Eric Leuthardt

• About 
• Follow on Twitter 
• Novels

Connect With Maxwell Boakye

• https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast 
• Like on Facebook
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• DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com

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Prosthetics are used to help patients recover the normal function of their limbs after injury. What if we applied the same principle to our brains? That's exactly the kind of research Dr. Jaimie Henderson is doing at Stanford University. Alongside his brilliant team, Dr. Henderson is using Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology to help patients who have suffered spinal cord injuries regain the ability to communicate. What’s even more fascinating is that their findings are turning what we know about neuroscience upside down! This is a can’t miss conversation with one of the world’s leading researchers in neural prosthetics. 

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

• The details of Dr. Henderson’s clinical practice [2:33]
• What is brain computer interface (BCI) technology [3:31]
• How Dr. Henderson got involved in neural prosthetic research [4:39] 
• What is BrainGate? [8:04]
• Using BCI to help patients with spinal injuries communicate [10:22]
• Other projects Dr. Henderson and his team are working on [17:00] 
• Dr. Henderson’s insights after over a decade in the neuroscientific field [19:26]
• The logistics and risks of neural prosthetic research [21:08] 
• The fundamental breakthrough that enabled the field of neural prosthetics to move forward [25:23]
• Getting life-changing medical technology from the lab to the clinic [27:38]
• Dr. Henderson’s advice for those looking to pursue a similar field of research [29:23]

Resources & People Mentioned

• BrainGate | Turning Thought Into Action
• Prof. Krishna Shenoy, PhD
• Frank Willett
• Neuralink 

Connect with Guest Name

• Dr. Jaimie Henderson

Connect With Maxwell Boakye

• https://maxwellboakye.com/podcast 
• Like on Facebook
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• Follow on LinkedIn
• DrMaxBoakye (at) Gmail.com

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Dr. Lim is the Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in brain tumors. Prior to becoming Chair of Neurosurgery at Stanford at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Lim was Professor of Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins where he built one of the largest brain tumor practices. Dr. Lim’s research involves the development of immunotherapies for brain tumors and focuses on understanding mechanisms of immune evasion by cancer cells. He has been the Principal Investigator of several large national immunotherapy clinical trials for brain tumors. A world leader in immunotherapy for brain tumors, Dr. Lim has published over 200 manuscripts on the treatment of brain tumors and trigeminal neuralgia.  Dr. Lim is a member of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the Society for Neuro-Oncology. Dr. Lim served as the program co-chair of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and CNS section of the American Society for Clinical Oncology. He also served on many executive committees, including the Executive Committee for the Joint Tumor Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Dr. Ames is Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery, Director of Spinal Deformity & Spine Tumor Surgery, Co-director, Spinal Surgery and UCSF Spine Center. He is also Director, California Deformity Institute, Director, Spinal Biomechanics Laboratory at the University of California, San Francisco. He was named to the 2015-2019 Top Doctors lists in San Francisco Magazine, and Castle Connolly named him one of the country's top doctors for both neurosurgery and cancer from 2010 to 2019. Dr. Ames earned his medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He completed a residency in neurosurgery at the University of California, San Diego, where he served as chief resident. He completed a fellowship in complex spine surgery at the Barrow Neurological Institute. Dr. Ames serves as the UCSF site director for the International Spinal Deformity Study Group and the AO Scoli-Risk Study. Ames has published articles in more than 400 peer-reviewed publications.

In Episode 2 we have a conversation with Dr. Michael Vitale about optimizing safety in spine surgery. Dr. Michael Vitale is Ana Lucia Professor of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery, Vice-Chair, Quality and Strategy, Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical center, Director, Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics. 

He is Chief, Pediatric Spine and Scoliosis Service, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Dr. Michael G. Vitale specializes in the non-operative and operative treatment of complex pediatric scoliosis and other spinal disorders. 

Dr. Vitale completed Masters of Public Health at Columbia University Joseph Mailman School of Public Health and Doctor of Medicine from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. He completed a residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and a fellowship at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles at the University of Southern California.

In addition to starting the safety in spine surgery project, Dr. Vitale has had many roles in quality improvement including leading the research arm of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America's Committee on Quality, Safety, and Value, Medical Director of New York Presbyterian's Initiative to Make Care Better, Chief Quality Officer of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center. 

We speak with leading neurosurgeon and spinal cord injury neuroscientist Dr. Michael Fehlings. Dr Fehlings is Professor of Neurosurgery, Vice-Chair Research, Department of Surgery, Co-Director, Spine Program, McLaughlin Scholar in Molecular Medicine, University of Toronto. He is also the Gerry and Tootsie Halbert Chair in Neural Repair and Regeneration, Senior Scientist, Krembil Brain Institute and Scientist, McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Canada. Dr. Fehlings discusses the international Surgical Timing in Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study (STASCIS) seminal study on the optimal timing of surgical decompression for spinal cord injury, improving SCI care, the latest research in spinal cord injury, and how to optimize spinal cord injury care. He also provides updates and perspectives on many current and exciting research approaches in spinal cord injury including stem cells, hypothermia, and neuromodulation. As Principal Investigator, he presents an update on the RISCIS clinical trial of Riluzole, one of the most promising pharmacotherapies for acute spinal cord injury.