The Wandering Nerve (Episode 137)

Guest: Michael Kilgard

Today we are chatting with Dr. Michael Kilgard, a Researcher and Professor at the University of Texas-Dallas and the Director of the Texas Biomedical Device Center. Michael is a leading voice in the field of neuroplasticity, our body’s ability to structurally and functionally adapt its nervous system throughout our lifetime. 

We discuss the potential and limitations of neuroplasticity for functional improvement after spinal cord injury and the role of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), in particular. We also cover the aims, methods and outcomes of Michael’s recent VNS study, published in Nature, where significant functional recovery was observed in individuals with incomplete, cervical spinal cord injuries. 

As you will soon hear, “Mike” is a down to earth conversationalist who beautifully illustrates the concepts of human plasticity.  It was a joy to have him on the show - let's get to it. 
 

Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Soundcloud

Bumper music: Dig a Hole by Freaque

Guest Bio

Dr. Michael Kilgard is one of the leading researchers in the area of directing neural plasticity for the treatment of serious neurological and psychiatric disorders. He invented precisely timed vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and has showed the therapy can enhance plasticity and rehabilitation in multiple animal models and in patients with stroke, tinnitus, spinal cord injury, and PTSD. In 2021, VNS was FDA approved as the first neurotechnology proven to improve function after stroke. Dr. Kilgard has more than 30 patents and has published over 150 papers in top journals, including Nature, Science, Nature Neuroscience, Stroke, and Neuron. He is the recipient of the University of Texas Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. Dr. Kilgard is the Margaret Fonde Jonsson Professor of Neuroscience and the director of the Texas Biomedical Device Center (txbdc.com). He has received more than $20 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense. 

Dr. Kilgard trained in biochemistry and genetics at the University of California at Berkeley and in neuroscience at the University of California at San Francisco. Dr. Kilgard is also an Eagle Scout and was born and raised in Texas.

Connect with Michael Kilgard here:

Related Resources

  •  
    Listen to Dr. Michael Kilgard on Andrew Huberman's podcast, Huberman Lab: How to Rewire Your Brain & Learn Faster | Dr. Michael Kilgard.

  •  
    Read Dr. Kilgard's recent paper in the journal Nature. From the abstract: 'We hypothesized that combining intensive, progressive, task-focused training with real-time closed-loop vagus nerve stimulation (CLV) to enhance synaptic plasticity could increase strength, expand range of motion and improve hand function in people with chronic, incomplete cervical spinal cord injury.'

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