STEIN Fireside Podcast

STEIN Fireside Podcast: STEIN Event at the 2026 AANS Meeting, pt.1

In this special on-location episode, the Stein Fireside team takes listeners to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) meeting in San Antonio, capturing the energy of a live “Stein evening” on the Riverwalk. Throughout the episode, leading neurosurgeons share insights into their work, innovations, and practical surgical tips. This episode blends clinical expertise, innovation, and behind-the-scenes conversations, giving viewers a snapshot of where neurosurgery is today—and where it’s headed next.

Modeling the Brain: Deep Brain Stimulation with Cameron McIntyre

In this episode of the STEIN Fireside Podcast, hosts Bryan Klassen and Kai Miller sit down with Dr. Cameron McIntyre, a pioneer in deep brain stimulation (DBS) modeling and neural engineering. Dr. McIntyre reflects on his path from fundamental electric field physics to becoming a leader in clinically relevant DBS modeling, including the development of patient‑specific stimulation models and the widely used concept of the Volume of Tissue Activated (VTA). He discusses the strengths—and limitations—of current clinical models, emphasizing why useful models don’t have to be perfect to meaningfully improve patient care. The conversation explores emerging frontiers in DBS, including: * Moving beyond simple stimulation volumes toward circuit‑ and pathway‑specific targeting * How temporal patterning, frequency, and stimulation trains may shape neural activity * The role of AI in navigating DBS’s massive parameter space * Bridging engineering rigor with real‑world clinical practice * Why understanding neural biophysics is essential for the next generation of neuromodulation The episode also offers a personal look at Dr. McIntyre’s career, mentoring philosophy, and life outside the lab—including his passion for auto racing—highlighting the human side of a scientist shaping the future of neuromodulation.

STEIN Fireside Podcast: General Principles Programming DBS Devices and Movement Disorder

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is far more than activating a wire in the brain—it’s a sophisticated, highly customizable therapy that relies on precise electrical modulation of neural tissue. In this in‑depth episode, Dr. Bryan Klassen breaks down exactly how DBS programming works, what clinicians are actually adjusting, and how modern technology is transforming neuromodulation. Whether you’re a neurosurgical trainee, practicing neurologist, biomedical engineer, or someone curious about brain‑implant technology, this talk offers a clear, structured walk‑through of the science and strategy behind DBS.

Waves of the Mind: Dr. Michael Breakspear on Brain Dynamics, Surfing & Science

In this episode of the STEIN Fireside Podcast, Dr. Kai Miller and Bryan Klassen sits down with world‑renowned neuroscientist, psychiatrist, mathematician — and lifelong surfer — Dr. Michael Breakspear. They dive into Breakspear’s unconventional path through math, medicine, physics, and psychiatry, and how those experiences shaped his groundbreaking work on neural field theory, brain oscillations, and large‑scale brain dynamics. From his early days programming on 1980s Mac computers to surfing the powerful reefs of Newcastle, Breakspear shares how curiosity, creativity, and lifestyle balance fuel his scientific thinking. You’ll hear discussion on: * How dynamical systems and wave equations reveal hidden structure in brain activity * Why large‑scale brain modes may explain attention, cognition, and consciousness * How hippocampal traveling waves shape memory, behavior, and epilepsy * What theory of mind, autism, and interoception might look like through a dynamical-systems lens * The parallels between neuroscience and AI, including latent manifolds and generative modeling * The importance of pure mathematics in modern science * The role of physical embodiment, stress regulation, and human connection in psychiatry Whether you’re into neuroscience, physics, AI, medicine, or just love a good story about surfing and science colliding, this episode is a deep, engaging ride through the brain’s most beautiful patterns.

STEIN Fireside Podcast: Microelectrode Recording in DBS Surgery

In this episode, Dr. Kai Miller (Neurosurgery) and Dr. Bryan Klassen (Neurology) from Mayo Clinic dive into the fundamentals of microelectrode recording (MER) and its role in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. They break down: Why Microelectrode Recording Still Matters * The ongoing debate of awake vs. asleep DBS * Whether MER is “outdated” or still essential in the era of advanced imaging * Their philosophy: MER is a critical adjunct, not a replacement for high‑resolution MRI How MER Works * Using high‑impedance microelectrodes to detect single‑neuron activity * Listening to real‑time firing patterns to confirm entry into specific brain structures * Differentiating white matter vs. gray matter, nucleus boundaries, and disease‑related firing patterns Mapping the Brain During Surgery * “Exploratory” vs. “confirmatory” MER approaches * Using the Ben Gun device for multi‑trajectory mapping * Understanding firing signatures of What Surgeons Listen For * Voluntary movement‑related cell firing * Passive movement sensory responses * Tremor‑coherent neuronal firing * Visual pathway confirmation using optic tract flashes Why This Matters for Patient Outcomes * MER helps surgeons precisely place modern segmented DBS leads, which require millimeter‑level accuracy * Ensures targeting of the most symptom‑relevant neural circuits * Helps avoid complications by identifying sensitive regions (e.g., sensory thalamus, optic tract) The Human Element * Importance of patient comfort and open interaction during awake DBS * Real‑time teamwork between neurology, neurosurgery, and the OR staff