Stanford Neurosurgery

04/23/2026

Rewiring the Brain: Understanding Synaptic Changes in Parkinson’s Disease 🧠💡

For , we’re highlighting new research into how the brain's internal "wiring" changes after dopamine loss.

Our latest study in Science Advances uses advanced computational modeling to show that the brain attempts to compensate for Parkinson’s-related hyperactivity through "structural plasticity"—literally changing the number and strength of connections between neurons.

Key Takeaways:
-Homeostatic Healing: The brain initially reorganizes its synapses to counteract pathological activity.
-The Breaking Point: This natural compensation can become compromised when neural activity becomes too erratic or "bursty".
-Future Therapies: Understanding these "rewiring" rules helps us design better treatments, like Deep Brain Stimulation, that could potentially guide the brain back to a healthy state

04/21/2026

Last Friday, Stanford Neurosurgery hosted the 2026 Innovations Conference 🧠💡. A heartfelt thank you to our guest panelists for attending 🙌, and to our Stanford professors and instructors for their insightful presentations 👏. We look forward to deepening our understanding of the research discussed 📚🔬 and to future conferences 🗓️✨!

04/20/2026

📢 Exciting News!

Join Megan Gershon, a clinical nurse from the Stanford Neuro-Oncology Team, for an insightful webinar on leptomeningeal cancer. 🧠✨

🗓 Date: April 22
🕝 Time: 2:30 PM PST

Don't miss out—register here: https://bit.ly/4dV4ULp

04/20/2026

From the research lab to the operating room, your support during Stanford Day of Giving makes a difference for Stanford Neurosurgery. Your gift can help us unravel the mysteries of the brain and offer new hope to patients. Learn more: dayofgiving.stanford.edu.

04/20/2026

🌟 Meet Irina Lucaciu, a courageous patient who faced Cushing's syndrome head-on. After traveling to Stanford for expert care, she underwent successful surgery with the talented Dr. Juan Carlos Fernandez-Miranda and Dr. Matei Banu. Now, Irina is on the path to reclaim her passion for running and helping others along the way! 💪✨

To learn more, visit stan.md/cushings-syndrome. To schedule an appointment, please call: 650-497-7777.

04/17/2026

This morning, Stanford Neurosurgery held its fourth annual Neurosurgery Department Awards. Awards were given to residents, med students, Postdocs, APPs, nurse coordinators, and faculty who have shown exemplary work and research in their areas of interest. Congratulations to all awardees!

04/17/2026

This morning, Stanford Neurosurgery held its fourth annual Neurosurgery Department Awards. Awards were given to residents, med students, Postdocs, APPs, nurse coordinators, and faculty who have shown exemplary work and research in their areas of interest. Congratulations!

Pictured below:

Resident Basic Science Awards:
Dr. Ravi Medikonda (PGY-5)
Dr. Debebe Theodros (PGY-4)

Resident Clinical Science Award:
Jonathan Lamano (PGY-5)

Resident Education and Mentorship Award:
Dr. Yi Zhang (PGY-4)

Medical Student Basic Science Awards:
Matthew Abikenari
Sina Sadeghzadeh

Medical Student Clinical Science Award:
Julie Uchitel

Undergrad Student Basic Science Awards:
Shreyas Annagiri
Sanjay Palta-Hill

Undergrad Student Clinical Science Award:
Srinath Hariharan

Post Doctoral Fellow Basic Science Awards:
Dr. Vivek Sanker
Dr. Billy (Thien) Nguyen

Graduate Student Basic Science Award:
Rennie Kendrick

Michael Edwards Teaching Award
Dr. Cormac Maher

Human Sunshine Award ☀️😁
Dr. Jay Gill (PGY-1)

Most Creative Text Message Award 😂
Dr. Dhiraj Pangal (PGY-3)

Mic Drop Award 🎤
Dr. Rukayat Taiwo (PGY-7)

04/16/2026

Mark your calendars! The day is coming May 13–14. Join Stanford Neurosurgery in supporting the incredible work we do, from pioneering treatments for brain tumors to training the next generation of neurosurgeons. dayofgiving.stanford.edu

04/14/2026

Last week, our team welcomed Dr. Aviva Abosch who presented her talk: Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Psychiatric Indications: Go or No Go? Dr. Abosch is the Professor and Chief of Neurosurgery at Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine - Florida International University.

04/14/2026

🌟 We're excited to share that Dr. Vivek Buch teamed up with Dr. Pejman Ghanouni from Radiology to provide exceptional care for Rebecca King Crews, who recently opened up about her journey with Parkinson's disease. Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing your inspiring story!

Our Stanford Medicine team had the privilege of treating Ms. King Crews’ symptoms using ultrasonic treatment through strong clinical collaboration.

Most of all, we admire Ms. King Crews’ courage to share her experience, raising awareness and offering hope to others living with Parkinson's. Thank you for trusting us with your care!

👉 Links to learn more about this story:
• The TODAY Show: https://bit.ly/4suNfxC
• The Tamron Hall Show: https://bit.ly/4t9TNTH
• People article #1: https://stan.md/4tbXqsd
• People article #2: https://stan.md/480vlvl

In an exclusive interview, Terry and Rebecca Crews reveal the intimate details of her 11-year battle with Parkinson's and how a groundbreaking new procedure is transforming her life

04/10/2026

🧠Stanford Medicine Pituitary Patient Education Day is Saturday, May 16, 2026 (8:00 AM–5:00 PM PT). Join us in person at Stanford Hospital (Assembly Hall) or virtually via Zoom.

Friday, May 15, 2026 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Welcome Reception
Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel
Reception Room
625 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94301

Learn more and register now: https://med.stanford.edu/neurosurgery/news/events/2026pituitaryday.html

The Stanford Pituitary Center Directors:
Julia Chang, MD - Medical Director
Juan C. Fernandez-Miranda, MD, FACS - Surgical Director

Community leaders: Leslie Edwin, Jill Sisco, Laurence Katznelson, MD, Catherine Jonas, CMC, LMFT, (video)

Robert Dodd, MD, PhD, Andrew Hoffman, MD, Peter Hwang, MD, Elham Rahimy, MD, Susan Seav, MD, Olivia Chu, NP, and Erin Wipff, MSN, RN, ANP-BC.

04/09/2026

The Stanford Brain Tumor Center is teaming with Stanford Medicine Children’s Health again to participate in the Northern California Brain Tumor Walk & Race to raise awareness and to provide support to patients and their families.

Friendly reminder to please register and use our promo code: Stanford5

Date & Location:
Saturday June 13, 2026 at the San Francisco Zoo
We invite you, your family, and friends (all are welcome) to come and join the brain tumor community!

Registration:
All registrations include NBTS participant t-shirt, light refreshments and zoo admission. Registration fees will increase 30 days prior to event day, and again on event week.