How to Improve Brain Health & Offset Neurodegeneration | Dr. Gary Steinberg

Andrew Huberman

May 20, 2024

Episode description

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD, a neurosurgeon and a professor of neurosciences, neurosurgery, and neurology at Stanford University School of Medicine. We discuss brain health and brain injuries, including concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, aneurysm, and transient ischemic attacks (TIA). We discuss key and lesser-known risk factors for brain health and explain how certain treatments and medications can improve brain health and cognitive function.

We also cover novel mechanisms to improve recovery after concussions and brain injury, including the use of stem cells, temperature (mild hypothermia), and vagus nerve stimulation. Dr. Steinberg also describes new advances in neurosurgery and minimally invasive brain augmentation.

This episode ought to be of interest to anyone seeking actionable tools to improve their brain health and for those seeking to improve recovery after a brain injury such as concussion, stroke, aneurysm, or TBI.

Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman
ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman
AeroPress: https://aeropress.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Dr. Gary Steinberg
Stanford academic profile: https://stan.md/3WLmBV2
Stanford Health Care clinical profile: https://shc.is/4dProuA
Lab website: https://stan.md/4dKFnlA
"Why I Went into Medicine: Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD" (video story): https://youtu.be/m5kEvuaSEuY
Publications: https://stan.md/3WMNCaw

Articles
The fasciola cinereum of the hippocampal tail as an interventional target in epilepsy: https://go.nature.com/3UP80oZ
Transplanted Stem Cell-Secreted Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Effects Poststroke Recovery, Inflammation, and Vascular Repair: https://bit.ly/3UFNRSg
Human neural stem cells enhance structural plasticity and axonal transport in the ischaemic brain: https://bit.ly/3UQFByY
Revisiting Stem Cell-Based Clinical Trials for Ischemic Stroke: https://bit.ly/4bH4jZk
Two-year safety and clinical outcomes in chronic ischemic stroke patients after implantation of modified bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (SB623): a phase 1/2a study: https://bit.ly/4bHLNzT
Mild Hypothermia Reduces Apoptosis of Mouse Neurons In vitro Early in the Cascade: https://bit.ly/4bH4pjE
Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia to Improve the Neurologic Outcome after Cardiac Arrest: https://bit.ly/3UNY0wb
Childhood Outcomes after Hypothermia for Neonatal Encephalopathy: https://bit.ly/3UPvvy5
Slow rewarming improved the neurological outcomes of prolonged mild therapeutic hypothermia in patients with severe traumatic brain injury and an evacuated hematoma: https://go.nature.com/3UQhiRy
Vision Loss after Intravitreal Injection of Autologous “Stem Cells” for AMD: https://bit.ly/3UFO5c4

Huberman Lab Episodes Mentioned
Dr. Craig Heller: Using Temperature for Performance, Brain & Body Health: https://youtu.be/77CdVSpnUX4

People Mentioned
Timothy Schallert: professor of psychology, University of Texas at Austin
Theresa Jones: professor of psychology, University of Texas at Austin
Norma Shumway: father of heart transplantation, Stanford University
Henry Kaplan: discovered radiation exposure to treat leukemia, Stanford University

Timestamps
00:00:00 Dr. Gary Steinberg
00:01:44 Sponsors: Eight Sleep, ROKA & AeroPress; Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify & Apple
00:06:16 Stroke, Hemorrhage & Blood Clot
00:10:25 Blood Clots & Risk Factors, Medications, Smoking, Cholesterol
00:16:19 Heart & Brain Health; Neurosurgery & Brain Function
00:23:27 Current Technology & Neurosurgery, Minimally Invasive Techniques
00:28:13 Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA); Spinal Cord Strokes
00:33:23 Stroke Risk: Alcohol, Cocaine & Other Drugs
00:38:24 Sponsor: AG1
00:39:55 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Concussion: Sports, Testing & Recovery
00:46:45 Statins; TBI & Aspirin; Caffeine & Stroke Risk
00:48:31 Exploratory MRI: Benefits & Risks
00:51:53 Blood Pressure, Lifestyle Factors; Tool: Feeling Faint, Hydration; Sleep
00:59:52 Sponsor: LMNT
01:01:27 Chiropractic Neck Adjustment & Arterial Obstruction; Inversion Tables
01:05:16 Kids, Tackle Football, Soccer, Boxing; Mild Concussion
01:10:49 Nerve Regeneration, Stem Cells, Stroke Recovery
01:17:36 Stem Cells, Immune System, Activity
01:21:27 Injury & Recovery, Restraint Therapy
01:23:46 Neuroprotection After Injury; Mild Hypothermia
01:34:59 Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), Stem Cell Therapy
01:42:27 Scientific Advancements & Clinical Translation, FDA & Industry
01:47:40 Vagal Stimulation
01:53:17 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

#HubermanLab #BrainHealth

Disclaimer: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Episode description

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD, a neurosurgeon and a professor of neurosciences, neurosurgery, and neurology at Stanford University School of Medicine. We discuss brain health and brain injuries, including concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, aneurysm, and transient ischemic attacks (TIA). We discuss key and lesser-known risk factors for brain health and explain how certain treatments and medications can improve brain health and cognitive function.

We also cover novel mechanisms to improve recovery after concussions and brain injury, including the use of stem cells, temperature (mild hypothermia), and vagus nerve stimulation. Dr. Steinberg also describes new advances in neurosurgery and minimally invasive brain augmentation.

This episode ought to be of interest to anyone seeking actionable tools to improve their brain health and for those seeking to improve recovery after a brain injury such as concussion, stroke, aneurysm, or TBI.

Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman
ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman
AeroPress: https://aeropress.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Dr. Gary Steinberg
Stanford academic profile: https://stan.md/3WLmBV2
Stanford Health Care clinical profile: https://shc.is/4dProuA
Lab website: https://stan.md/4dKFnlA
"Why I Went into Medicine: Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD" (video story): https://youtu.be/m5kEvuaSEuY
Publications: https://stan.md/3WMNCaw

Articles
The fasciola cinereum of the hippocampal tail as an interventional target in epilepsy: https://go.nature.com/3UP80oZ
Transplanted Stem Cell-Secreted Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Effects Poststroke Recovery, Inflammation, and Vascular Repair: https://bit.ly/3UFNRSg
Human neural stem cells enhance structural plasticity and axonal transport in the ischaemic brain: https://bit.ly/3UQFByY
Revisiting Stem Cell-Based Clinical Trials for Ischemic Stroke: https://bit.ly/4bH4jZk
Two-year safety and clinical outcomes in chronic ischemic stroke patients after implantation of modified bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (SB623): a phase 1/2a study: https://bit.ly/4bHLNzT
Mild Hypothermia Reduces Apoptosis of Mouse Neurons In vitro Early in the Cascade: https://bit.ly/4bH4pjE
Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia to Improve the Neurologic Outcome after Cardiac Arrest: https://bit.ly/3UNY0wb
Childhood Outcomes after Hypothermia for Neonatal Encephalopathy: https://bit.ly/3UPvvy5
Slow rewarming improved the neurological outcomes of prolonged mild therapeutic hypothermia in patients with severe traumatic brain injury and an evacuated hematoma: https://go.nature.com/3UQhiRy
Vision Loss after Intravitreal Injection of Autologous “Stem Cells” for AMD: https://bit.ly/3UFO5c4

Huberman Lab Episodes Mentioned
Dr. Craig Heller: Using Temperature for Performance, Brain & Body Health: https://youtu.be/77CdVSpnUX4

People Mentioned
Timothy Schallert: professor of psychology, University of Texas at Austin
Theresa Jones: professor of psychology, University of Texas at Austin
Norma Shumway: father of heart transplantation, Stanford University
Henry Kaplan: discovered radiation exposure to treat leukemia, Stanford University

Timestamps
00:00:00 Dr. Gary Steinberg
00:01:44 Sponsors: Eight Sleep, ROKA & AeroPress; Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify & Apple
00:06:16 Stroke, Hemorrhage & Blood Clot
00:10:25 Blood Clots & Risk Factors, Medications, Smoking, Cholesterol
00:16:19 Heart & Brain Health; Neurosurgery & Brain Function
00:23:27 Current Technology & Neurosurgery, Minimally Invasive Techniques
00:28:13 Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA); Spinal Cord Strokes
00:33:23 Stroke Risk: Alcohol, Cocaine & Other Drugs
00:38:24 Sponsor: AG1
00:39:55 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Concussion: Sports, Testing & Recovery
00:46:45 Statins; TBI & Aspirin; Caffeine & Stroke Risk
00:48:31 Exploratory MRI: Benefits & Risks
00:51:53 Blood Pressure, Lifestyle Factors; Tool: Feeling Faint, Hydration; Sleep
00:59:52 Sponsor: LMNT
01:01:27 Chiropractic Neck Adjustment & Arterial Obstruction; Inversion Tables
01:05:16 Kids, Tackle Football, Soccer, Boxing; Mild Concussion
01:10:49 Nerve Regeneration, Stem Cells, Stroke Recovery
01:17:36 Stem Cells, Immune System, Activity
01:21:27 Injury & Recovery, Restraint Therapy
01:23:46 Neuroprotection After Injury; Mild Hypothermia
01:34:59 Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), Stem Cell Therapy
01:42:27 Scientific Advancements & Clinical Translation, FDA & Industry
01:47:40 Vagal Stimulation
01:53:17 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

#HubermanLab #BrainHealth

Disclaimer: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Stimulate brain recovery after concussion without overstressing

After a concussion, total sensory deprivation like staying in a dark room is not a good idea; the brain still needs sensory input, but you should avoid overstressing it.

Utilize statins for blood vessel integrity beyond cholesterol management

A neurosurgeon often recommends statins to patients even if they don't have high cholesterol because the drugs have been shown to be highly beneficial for blood vessel integrity.

Utilize vagus nerve stimulation to enhance stroke recovery

The first FDA-approved treatment for chronic stroke involves implanting a stimulator on the vagus nerve, which, when coupled with intensive physical therapy, can improve arm function.

Avoid neck adjustments to prevent stroke risk

It is strongly recommended to avoid chiropractic manipulation of the neck because it carries a rare but devastating risk of tearing an artery, which can lead to a stroke.

Personalize your blood pressure target for optimal health

While guidelines suggest a systolic blood pressure of 120 or lower, this should be individualized, as some people may feel lightheaded and function better with a pressure closer to 125-135.

Utilize stem cells to enhance stroke recovery through immune modulation

Stem cells help stroke recovery not by replacing dead neurons, but by secreting powerful molecules that modulate the immune system and promote the brain's own native recovery processes.

Utilize mild hypothermia to protect the brain during cardiac arrest

Mild hypothermia, or cooling the brain by just a few degrees, is a proven neuroprotective therapy for cardiac arrest because it blocks multiple damaging pathways that lead to cell death.

Utilize eye tracking for accurate concussion diagnosis

Eye tracking is a very sensitive method for detecting brain problems after a concussion, and many sports leagues are now using it for pre-season baseline testing of athletes.

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