YOUR FANTASTIC MIND

#501 New Frontiers in Pain Relief

Short description:
Explore innovative therapies for pain relief and recovery including minimally-invasive endoscopic spine surgery, vagus nerve stimulation for opioid addiction and neuromodulation, an emerging technique using electrical stimulation to help veterans manage chronic pain.

Long description:
• Story #1: Endoscopic Spine Surgery Full description: Discover how a team of Emory neurosurgeons is using advanced endoscopic back surgery to help patients recover more quickly and return to their normal routines. This minimally invasive approach minimizes damage to muscles, ligaments and surrounding tissue, common with open spine surgery, resulting in less post-operative pain and faster healing. Short description: Neurosurgeons use advanced, minimally invasive spine surgery to speed recovery and reduce pain.

• Story #2: Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Addiction Full description: Follow a participant in a research study exploring how stimulation of the vagus nerve, a key nerve that helps regulate the body’s stress response, can aid in treating opioid addiction. Over the course of a week, the participant uses a non-medical vagus nerve stimulator designed to calm the sympathetic nervous system and ease withdrawal symptoms.

• Story #3: Neuromodulation for Pain Full description: In search of non-drug therapies for Gulf War veterans with chronic pain, researchers at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center are exploring the use of neuromodulation, a non-invasive technique that stimulates parts of the nervous system to communicate with the brain and help relieve symptoms. Short description: Atlanta VA researchers explore non-invasive neuromodulation to help veterans manage chronic pain.


#502 Body, Brain and Behavior

Short description:
From space science to workplace stress, learn more about a NASA collaboration with Emory and Johns Hopkins University exploring therapies for balance after spaceflight, new treatments for the rare autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis and fresh insights from University of Georgia researchers into the psychology of stress bragging in the workplace.

Long description:
• Story #1: Emory NASA Project Full description: A unique collaboration between NASA, Emory University, Johns Hopkins University and the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit is testing a simple, self-guided head- movement therapy to help astronauts overcome disorientation after spaceflight. The approach could also help those experiencing balance problems or vestibular disorders in everyday life. Short description: Emory partners with NASA to test head-movement therapy for astronauts' balance issues post-spaceflight.

• Story #2: Myasthenia Gravis Full description: Meet patients living with myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular autoimmune disease-causing weakness in the body’s voluntary muscles that can affect breathing, talking and movement. This episode explores how a combination of therapy and new medication is helping patients manage symptoms and regain control of their daily lives. Short description: A rare autoimmune disease is met with hope as therapy and new meds help patients regain strength.

• Story #3: Stress Bragging Full description: With 65% of employees reporting their job as a significant source of stress, researchers at the University of Georgia are taking a closer look at a behavior know as stress bragging, when people openly talk about how busy, overwhelmed or stressed they are, often as a way to signal importance or dedication. This story explores what stress bragging is, why people do it, and what we're learning about its impact in the workplace. Short description: Researchers examine why people brag about being stressed and what it reveals about workplace culture.


#503 Living with Parkinson’s

Short description:
Follow cutting-edge research efforts from Emory and the University of Georgia to improve Parkinson’s treatment and early detection, plus one woman’s inspiring journey using ping pong as therapy.

Long description:
• Story #1: Freezing of Gait Full description: Researchers at Emory University and Georgia Tech are exploring sound and light therapy to treat freezing of gait (FOG), a debilitating symptom of Parkinson’s disease. Using ClassiFOG, a cutting-edge AI tool with advanced motion capture technology, the team can precisely detect and track FOG episodes, with the goal of improving mobility and quality of life. Short description: AI and motion capture help researchers study sound and light therapy for Parkinson’s freezing of gait.

• Story #2: Skin test and Probiotics Full description: Meet a University of Georgia researcher advancing Parkinson’s care through a simple skin test for early diagnosis and a once daily probiotic treatment. The probiotic is designed to release levodopa, the standard medication that restores dopamine to improve movement – potentially replacing the need for multiple daily doses. Short description: UGA tests a skin scan and daily probiotic to simplify and personalize Parkinson’s treatment.

• Story #3: Ping Pong for Parkinson's Full description: Follow the inspiring journey of a woman who took up ping pong after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Your Fantastic Mind accompanies her at the national table tennis championships, where the sport has become both therapy and passion in her fight to stay active and empowered. Short description: A woman with Parkinson’s finds purpose and therapy through competitive ping pong.


#504 Unlocking the Mind

Short description:
This episode delves into brain health and aging, featuring stories on artificial intelligence (AI) used to detect Alzheimer’s, lifestyle interventions to slow cognitive decline, how future doctors are being trained in dementia care and emerging research linking pollution and memory loss.

Long description:
• Story #1: Memory – AI Full description: Explore how artificial intelligence is being used to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s disease through retinal scans. This episode highlights cutting-edge research that could lead to faster, less invasive diagnosis and new insights into the progression of the disease. Short description: AI-driven retinal scans offer a new, less invasive way to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s.

• Story #2: Cognitive Lifestyle Factors Full description: A new study shows the impact of lifestyle choices – like exercise, diet, sleep and social engagement – can help preserve cognitive function and slow decline. Follow participants from a unique program over the course of a year as they put these strategies into practice to manage early-stage cognitive decline and maintain quality of life. Short description: A lifestyle-based program shows how habits like sleep and exercise may slow cognitive decline.

• Story #3: Teaching Students to Treat Patients Full description: Get an inside look at how future doctors are being trained to recognize and care for patients with cognitive decline. This episode explores the hands-on techniques and empathy-based approaches medical students are learning to better support individuals facing memory loss and related challenges. Short description: Future doctors learn hands-on, empathy-based care for patients with memory issues.

• Story #4: Pollution Full description: Explore the growing evidence linking air pollution to increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This episode also takes you inside Emory University’s brain bank, home to more than 1,100 donated brains advancing research into the causes and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Short description: Emory researchers uncover links between air pollution and increased Alzheimer’s risk.


#505 Silent Threats

Short description:
This episode investigates strokes with no known cause, a surgical alternative to CPAP for sleep apnea and the little-known but life-disrupting balance condition known as 3PD.

Long description:
• Story #1: Cryptogenic Strokes Full description: More than a third of strokes have no clear cause - these are known as cryptogenic strokes. This episode follows the work of a neurologist and researcher dedicated to uncovering the hidden reasons behind these strokes, helping patients take steps to prevent another one. Short description: A neurologist investigates strokes with no known cause to help prevent them from recurring.

• Story #2: Sleep Apnea Surgery Full description: Meet a retired veteran with obstructive sleep apnea as he undergoes surgery to receive an implanted device to help him breathe – and sleep – peacefully again. The device is placed in the chest and works by stimulating a nerve that keeps the airway open during sleep. Sleep and heart specialists are working together to offer this alternative for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy. Short description: A veteran finds relief through a surgically implanted device that replaces CPAP for sleep apnea.

• Story #3: 3PD Full description: Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness, also known as 3PD, is a little- known but increasingly common condition. This episode follows patients living with 3PD and explores the steps they are taking to manage symptoms and regain balance in their daily lives. Short description: Patients share their journey managing 3PD, a little-known balance disorder disrupting daily life.


#506 Hope and Healing

Short description:
Learn about the next phase of the groundbreaking ENRICH stroke trial, a personal story of psychedelic therapy for depression, Atlanta’s new pre-arrest diversion facility and the momentous moment of Match Day for medical students around the country.

Long description:
• Story #1: ENRICH Trial Follow-Up Full description: This episode follows up on the success of the groundbreaking ENRICH trial from season five and introduces the REACH trial, the next phase of research. Focused on improving outcomes for hemorrhagic stroke patients, the study is building on previous breakthroughs to refine surgical treatment and save more lives. Short description: Researchers build on a groundbreaking stroke trial to refine lifesaving brain surgery.

• Story #2: Psychedelic Treatment Follow-Up Full description: Your Fantastic Mind checks in with a patient who took part in a clinical trial using psychedelics to treat depression. He credits the promising new treatment with helping him regain his life with an enhanced sense of meaning and purpose. Short description: A patient credits psychedelic therapy with transforming his experience of depression.

• Story #3: Crisis Care Full description: This story explores a new facility in Atlanta operated by Grady Health System in partnership with local city and county partners. It offers 24/7 pre-arrest support for individuals facing mental health challenges with the goal of providing care and resources aimed at reducing arrests and jail time and helping people move forward with stability and support.

• Story #4: Match Day Full description: Join the celebration in this story about Match Day, an annual milestone moment when medical students across the country learn where they will begin their residencies. This high-energy rite of passage is filled with joy, tears and life-changing news, all unfolding in one unforgettable day. Short description: Medical students celebrate the emotional moment they learn where their careers will begin.