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

- Strokes, often referred to as "heart attacks of the brain," occur when blood flow to the brain is disrupted due to clots or hemorrhages. TIAs, or "reversible strokes," involve temporary loss of function but do not cause permanent damage.

- Lifestyle factors such as hypertension, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use, particularly cocaine and methamphetamines, markedly increase stroke risk. Maintaining heart health through exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding these risk factors can significantly reduce the chances of a stroke.

- New nerve cells and stem cells can form in the adult brain, opening new avenues for recovery from brain injuries. Stem cells aid recovery by secreting growth factors that promote neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and synaptogenesis rather than by becoming new neurons themselves.

- Minimally invasive neurosurgery techniques, such as threading catheters through arteries to the brain and using focused radiation (gamma knife, Cyberknife), have made treating conditions like aneurysms and tumors more precise and safer compared to traditional open-skull surgery.

- Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), combined with physical therapy, has shown promising results for improving motor functions in chronic stroke patients, even years after their initial stroke. This method promotes brain plasticity and functional recovery.

- Mild hypothermia, or cooling the body by a few degrees, has potential neuroprotective effects by preventing programmed cell death and reducing inflammation. Clinical studies have demonstrated improved outcomes in conditions like cardiac arrest and severe traumatic brain injury.

- Diagnostic imaging advances, such as exploratory MRIs and functional MRIs (fMRIs), have revolutionized brain health assessment. However, these scans can sometimes lead to unnecessary concern over clinically insignificant findings.

- Physical activity and exercise are crucial for stroke recovery. They enhance blood flow and activate dormant stem cell populations in the brain, promoting neuroplasticity and functional improvement in affected individuals.

- The use of eye tracking in sports like football and hockey has become a valuable tool for detecting brain issues post-concussion. This method allows for accurate assessment of the concussion's severity and monitoring of recovery progress.

- Radiosurgery and other minimally invasive techniques, such as focused ultrasound and deep brain stimulation (DBS), offer promising treatment options for conditions like essential tremor, Parkinson's disease, and chronic pain, reducing the need for more invasive procedures.