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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 has two co-hosts, Anthony Effinger and Dan Fost. Anthony Effinger is 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. Dan Fost is a veteran journalist who has written for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post. A former staff writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, he covers health, science, and technology, making complex subjects accessible to a broad audience. Dan has written extensively for the University of California, San Francisco, one of the nation’s leading health science universities, where he’s reported on leading scientists (including Nobel Prize winners), global health, and biotechnology innovations that have led to the launch of new companies. Dan is the author of “Giants Past and Present,” a book about the San Francisco baseball team. A native of New Jersey and a graduate of Boston University, Dan lives in Marin County, Calif., with his wife. They have one adult son.

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Check latest episodes from Think Neuro podcast

Brain Aneurysm Management with Ashkan Mowla, MD

2026/04/22

In general, aneurysms are only detected after they have burst although they may sometimes be detected during the course of other tests. Operating on the arteries of the brain may feel scary but there have been tremendous advances in the way that aneurysms are surgically treated. The interventional neuroradiologist has several options for treating the aneurysm from the inside of the blood vessel based on the patient’s status. These kinds of surgery, called endovascular neurosurgery or embolization, are performed using the minimally invasive microcatheter-based approach mentioned earlier. In this way, aneurysms can be treated by coiling, stent coiling, flow diversion, or balloon remodeling. In all these methods, the aim is to prevent blood from pooling in the aneurysm and causing blood clots. The deposited wire coils or cages help to cut off the blood’s access to the aneurysm so that it can flow normally through the blood vessel.

74. Understanding the Full Spectrum of Parkinson's Disease with Melita Petrossian, MD

2026/04/15

Parkinson’s disease is a neurologic movement disorder. It affects the brain and causes difficulty with movement, with the most common motor symptoms being tremors, stiffness or rigidity of muscles, and slowness of movement. According to the American Parkinson Disease Association, it is the fastest growing neurodegenerative disease in the world, and the second most common after Alzheimer’s disease, with an estimated 1 million people in the U.S. and more than 10 million people worldwide living with Parkinson’s. In addition to the well-known motor symptoms of tremors, rigidity and slowness, Parkinson’s disease also manifests in non-motor symptoms including sleep problems, constipation, anxiety, depression, and fatigue, among others, which can be present well before any visible motor symptoms. Dr. Melita Petrossian is a movement neurologist and medical director of Pacific Neuroscience Institute’s Movement Disorders Center. In today’s episode, Dr. Petrossian discusses these non-motor symptoms and explains the different types of testing that can lead to a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease—and what someone living with Parkinson’s may need to consider. For more information, visit:https://pacificneuro.org/

Spotlight Replay: 34. Treating the Wonder that is the Voice Box | Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh

2026/04/08

Two slender muscles carry out some of the most important—and taken-for-granted—tasks in our lives. These muscles make up what we have come to call our “voice box,” and they not only produce the sounds that we make—they also close on cue to protect our lungs as we swallow. In this Spotlight Replay, we revisit a conversation with Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh, who treats voice and swallow disorders, in which he helps us appreciate the vital role of this unsung hero, our voice box. Let’s listen in!

Spotlight Replay: Episode 50. Loneliness, a Panel Discussion: Drs. Shanthi Gowrinathan, Amit Kochhar and Courtney Voelker

2026/04/01

Survey after survey is telling us that Americans are increasingly feeling lonely. It’s a trend that’s been growing for years and, while it was exacerbated during the pandemic when we were instructed to socially isolate, it continues even as society has reopened. In this Spotlight Replay, we revisit a panel discussion in which three doctors at Pacific Neuroscience Institute tell how they help people deal with different causes of loneliness. Doctors at PNI discover loneliness in their patients, often for specific causes that can be treated. Dr. Courtney Voelker sees patients with hearing so compromised that they can’t follow conversations with loved ones. Dr. Amit Kochhar has patients who are unwilling to socialize because their facial paralysis prevents them from expressing emotions. And Dr. Shanthi Gowrinathan works with patients struggling with depression from a cancer diagnosis. Each doctor has tools to help ease the social impact of these neurological diseases. Let’s listen in!

Meet Dr. Noa Tal

2026/03/25

Fellowship trained, Noa Tal, MD, is a devoted endocrinologist committed to delivering exceptional care and striving for excellence in her field. With a diverse background encompassing medicine, research, teaching, and wellness, she endeavors to make significant contributions to healthcare. At the Pituitary Disorders Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute®, Dr. Tal cares for patients with endocrine issues as a result of pituitary tumors. Dr. Tal earned her medical degree from Tel Aviv University School of Medicine and completed her internal medicine residency at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY. Subsequently, she pursued further specialization through an endocrinology fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. Her research focuses on advancing understanding in areas such as microbiome, pituitary pathology, and endocrine pathways related to aging and age-related diseases. Beyond her medical achievements, Dr. Tal is deeply passionate about promoting wellness. She has volunteered at “Plant Powered Metro New York,” sharing insights on plant-based nutrition, chronic disease management, and diabetes prevention. Dr. Tal has also undergone additional training in diet and lifestyle intervention and has served as a yoga instructor, integrating holistic approaches into her practice. She firmly believes in a comprehensive approach to patient care, encompassing research, quality improvement, and wellness promotion, with the ultimate aim of making a positive impact in medicine, academia, and wellness.

73. Treating the Whole Patient, Not Just the Cancer

2026/03/18

When someone is diagnosed with a brain tumor, their world can shift overnight, bringing challenges that reach far beyond the medical diagnosis. A tumor is, first and foremost and most obviously, a health challenge. Like any serious illness, however, it also taxes people mentally and psychologically. Patients and their families have to navigate a complex medical system, take in new and challenging information, and make large, potentially life-changing decisions. Because of this stressful environment, Pacific Neuroscience Institute’s Dr. Shanthi Gowrinathan, a psychiatrist who specializes in treating people with cancer, is part of a team that helps people cope with the mental aspects of their illness. In today’s episode, Dr. Gowrinathan explains how she helps patients and their families maintain their sense of self in the face of tremendous challenges.

Spotlight Replay: 48. Charting the Brain, in Great Detail | Dr. Garni Barkhoudarian & Josh Emerson

2026/03/11

The doctors at Pacific Neuroscience Institute believe strongly in educating other neurosurgeons in the latest techniques for minimally invasive surgery. PNI’s Pacific Rim Master Class in Endoscopic Endonasal and Keyhole Surgery is right around the corner, coming up at the end of March. In this Spotlight Replay, we return to the episode in which Dr. Garni Barkhoudarian talks about his commitment to pay forward his own neurosurgery education. We also hear from medical illustrator and animator Josh Emerson, manager of PNI’s Neuroanatomy Lab, who tells us how people can learn about the fascinating inner anatomy of the brain through illustration. Let’s listen in!

Spotlight Replay: 37. Treating Essential Tremor, a Little-Known but Prevalent Disease | Dr. Melita Petrossian

2026/03/04

March is Essential Tremor Awareness Month. Essential tremor is one of the most common movement disorders, affecting millions of people around the world. In this Spotlight Replay, we return to the episode in which Dr. Melita Petrossian discusses the diagnosis and treatment of Essential Tremors, and explains how these tremors differ from those seen in people with Parkinson’s Disease. Keeping hope alive, the International Essential Tremor Foundation’s theme this year is, “Still Believing in Answers for ET.” While the exact cause of Essential Tremor remains unknown, Dr. Petrossian and the team at PNI work hard to help alleviate symptoms and provide patient support. Let’s listen in!

Treating Spinal Deformities with Marcus Mazur, MD

2026/02/25

Spinal deformity refers to abnormal curvatures of the spine, such as scoliosis, lordosis, and kyphosis. These conditions can arise from genetic defects, injuries, diseases like osteoporosis or arthritis, neuromuscular disorders, or poor posture. Symptoms range from visible misalignment to pain, weakness, loss of sensation, and in severe cases, paralysis or organ compression. Treatment options vary from observation, bracing, medications, and physical therapy to complex surgeries, with early diagnosis offering the best outcomes. Marcus D. Mazur, MD, FAANS, is a board-certified fellowship-trained spine neurosurgeon. His clinical practice focuses on adult spinal surgery for disorders on the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. He is a recognized expert in the treatment of adult spinal deformity, complex revision surgery, spinal oncology, and minimally invasive spine surgery. He also practices general neurosurgery.

72. Revolutionary Robotic Surgery for Head & Neck Cancer Treatment

2026/02/18

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself needing head and neck cancer surgery and your surgeon has an unexpected assistant: a robot. But it won’t be R2D2 or C3P0 from Star Wars. Instead, the modern medical robot is a high-tech tool that surgeons use to perform sensitive tasks in hard-to-reach places. In this episode, Dr. Vivian Wu, a head and neck surgeon at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, takes us into the new world of robotic surgeries. Dr. Wu also tells us about some new tests that can show how successful someone’s cancer treatment has been, without the need for invasive biopsies. She talks about how to prevent and treat Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, which has started showing up in people’s mouths in greater numbers. Dr. Wu also emphasizes the important role a care “village” plays in a patient's treatment and recovery.

Treatment & Management of Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas (DAVFs) with Adi Iyer, MD, MS | A PNI Minute

2026/02/11

Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is a rare vascular condition where abnormal connections (fistulas) form between branches of arteries and veins in the dura mater, the brain's covering. The dural arteries deliver high-pressure, oxygen-rich blood to the brain, while the dural veins return deoxygenated, low-pressure blood to the heart. DAVF causes high-pressure arterial blood to flow into veins or sinuses meant for low-pressure blood, which can lead to ruptures, brain hemorrhages, and other neurological issues. Meet Dr. Aditya (Adi) Iyer, a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon specializing in vascular diseases of the brain and spine at Pacific Neuroscience Institute®. As one of California’s few dual-trained neurosurgeons, Dr. Iyer offers both minimally invasive open surgical techniques and incisionless catheter-based procedures to treat strokes, aneurysms, AVMs, tumors, and pain.

12. Alzheimer’s: Too Common, and So Mysterious | Dr. Verna Porter

2026/02/04

One in ten Americans who are 65 and older suffer from Alzheimer’s dementia. It’s the 6th leading cause of death in the country, and it is a scourge worldwide. But little is known about what causes Alzheimer’s, and cures have been elusive. Dr. Verna Porter specializes in treating people with Alzheimer’s, and she remains optimistic. Until we have a remedy, she advises people to eat well and get plenty of sleep. Patients with Alzheimer’s often have abnormal levels of a gummy plaque called amyloid protein crowded around the neurons of the brain. No one knows for sure what causes it to accumulate. What we know for sure is that sleep clears toxins from the brain, amyloid protein among them. Yet, so few of us get enough of it. Eating a diet that’s low in sugar, and intermittent fasting, also may clear toxins. Even when we do invent a cure for Alzheimer’s, prevention will still be the best medicine, Dr. Porter says. Listen now for more on the mysterious origins of Alzheimer’s and what you can do to live with it if it strikes you or a relative. For more information: pacificneuro.org | (310) 582-7640

Meet Dr. Ashkan Mowla

2026/01/28

Ashkan Mowla, MD, FAHA, FAAN, is neuro-interventional surgeon at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute® (PNI). He specializes in minimally invasive endovascular procedures to treat conditions and diseases of the brain and spine, including stroke, brain aneurysm, brain and spine arteriovenous malformation and fistula and carotid and intracranial disease. He is triple board-certified neurologist with fellowship training in stroke and cerebrovascular diseases and also interventional neuroradiology. Prior to joining PNI, he was an assistant professor of neurological surgery at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA for 5 years.

71. Combining Exercise and Gaming for Better Brain Health

2026/01/21

Ryan Glatt turned his recovery from a traumatic brain injury into a passion for helping others restore and preserve the health of their brains. He now runs the Fit Brain Program at PNI, where he oversees a marvelous room, the Brain Gym. He leads people through workouts in which they move their bodies while exercising their minds, and where specialized brain-body exercise machines flash and beep. In addition to being the Fit Brain director, Ryan is also a brain health coach, which means that, he works as a specialized personal trainer for people who want to stave off cognitive decline. Ryan works in tandem with doctors at the institute, helping people manage their conditions, recover from surgeries, and maybe even preventing the need for future treatment. In today’s episode, Ryan Glatt takes us through his journey and tells us what brain health coaching entails. He also tells us the six vital things you can work on to help keep your brain (and body!) healthy, now and in the future.

Treating Spinal Deformities with Marcus Mazur, MD

2026/01/14

Podcast reviews

Read Think Neuro podcast reviews

5 out of 5

19 reviews

★★★★★

AnthonyEff 2020/09/22

Learned a ton

There is so much to know about neuroscience and what we can do to strengthen our brains. Listen to this podcast- it’s informative and fun.

★★★★★

ttkmgc 2020/09/02

So glad I found this podcast

I’ve listened to two episodes and really enjoyed both. The tone is casual and conversational, but both episodes were densely packed with fascinating i...

★★★★★

BingBong82 2020/07/22

Informative

I love how they have indepth episodes I really like this podcast a lot. It is facinating how complex the brain actually is. I love the shorter bonus e...

★★★★★

kalikayap 2020/06/05

Dr Kelly

I really admire Dr Kelly and the team at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. Great podcast

★★★★★

773inpdx 2020/04/30

Fascinating!

Anthony Effinger is a great interviewer. I learned a lot. Looking forward to new episodes!

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