Blog

Exercise doesn’t just strengthen your body—it powers up your brain too. Dr. David Merrill, director of PNI’s Brain Health Center, explains that physical activity boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that helps neurons grow and connect, supporting learning and memory. While BDNF isn’t available in a pill, exercise naturally increases its levels, promoting brain plasticity and resilience. Regular workouts keep your brain sharp and adaptable, especially as you age.

We’re at the dawn of a new era in medical care, where the ability to predict, detect, and treat disease will be based on each individual’s genetics and the interaction of the genome with many lifestyle, environmental, and other factors. Join us for “Personalized Medicine” and hear podcast host Kym Douglas explore the possibilities with Dr. Santosh Kesari.

Pacific Neuroscience Institute® and Providence Saint John’s Health Center were key participants in a research study showing remarkable improvements for patients who were administered stem cells directly into the site of their traumatic brain injury.

Follow Agnes's courageous journey with trigeminal neuralgia, from a simple toothache to a life-changing diagnosis. Explore her journey through treatment options, culminating in a successful surgery at the Facial Pain Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute® (PNI).

An estimated 39 million people on the US have some degree of facial pain including TMJ dysfunction and notoriously painful Trigeminal Neuralgia. Read about these painful syndromes and available medical and surgical treatment options.

Dr. Courtney Voelker & Dr. Rebecca Lewis, restored Father Timothy McGowan’s hearing with cochlear implants so he could get back to the work he loves.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects both men and women, but there are some differences in how it affects women. Learn more.

The MIND diet aims to reduce dementia and the decline in brain health that often occurs as people age. It combines aspects of two well-researched diets, the Mediterranean Diet and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH).

This episode comes from the ThinkNeuro Podcast, Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh, an otolaryngologist specializing in voice and swallowing disorders, explains how innovative treatments, like vocal cord injections, can help patients regain their voice and improve swallowing function. Dr. Mehdizadeh shares how aging, strokes, and other conditions affect the vocal cords and what can be done to restore their function. Listen to this episode to learn about the importance of vocal cord health and the advanced techniques used to treat them.

The ancient Japanese traditions of Ikigai and hara hachi bu offer valuable wisdom on how to live a long, healthy, and joyful life. Learn more.