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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 are thrilled to honor Walavan Sivakumar, MD, a neurosurgeon whose passion and expertise have earned him the prestigious title of Providence Philanthropy South Division's Philanthropy Physician Champion 2024.

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.

Unfortunately there is no clear answer to why people develop brain tumors. At this time, seeking out top neurosurgeons and high quality neuro-oncological care is the only way we have of dealing of brain tumors. Looking at risk factors can give us some insight but nothing definitive.