Netra Iyer

Episode 38: Season 4: Episode 10: Meningitis

September 5th, 2026  |  16 mins 7 secs

Meningitis isn't one single disease—it's inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. In this episode, we break down what causes meningitis, how viral and bacterial forms differ, the symptoms to recognize, how doctors diagnose it using cerebrospinal fluid, how it's treated, and how some forms can be prevented through vaccination. Plus, we tackle the question: why do bacterial names have to be so ridiculously complicated?

Episode 37: Season 4: Episode 9: CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephelopathy)

August 29th, 2026  |  12 mins 55 secs

CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated exposure to head impacts. In this episode, we explore what happens to the brain after repeated impacts, how CTE relates to concussions, and the role of abnormal tau protein buildup. We also discuss what researchers know, what remains uncertain, and why CTE cannot currently be definitively diagnosed during life.

Episode 36: Season 4: Episode 8: Strokes

August 22nd, 2026  |  16 mins 57 secs

What happens when the brain's blood supply suddenly gets blocked or a blood vessel starts bleeding? In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we dive into strokes, exploring the two major types, how to recognize the warning signs using FAST, and how doctors treat them. We'll look at everything from clot-dissolving medications and mechanical thrombectomy to treatments that seemed promising but didn't quite work out. Then, we explore the often-overlooked world of stroke rehabilitation, neuroplasticity, and how the brain can adapt after injury.

Episode 35: Season 4: Episode 7: Myasthenia Gravis

August 15th, 2026  |  17 mins 52 secs

What happens when your brain sends the right message, but your muscles don't quite get it? In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we dive into myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune neurological disease that disrupts communication between nerves and muscles. We explore the neuromuscular junction, acetylcholine, antibodies, muscle fatigue, the thymus, diagnosis, treatments, and why something as simple as lifting your arm involves an incredible chain of communication. And, of course, we investigate what happens when your muscles decide to leave you on read.

Episode 34: Season 4: Episode 6: Huntington's Disease

August 8th, 2026  |  19 mins 1 sec

Huntington’s disease has been considered untreatable for decades—but that may finally be changing. In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we break down what Huntington’s disease is, how a mutation in the HTT gene damages the brain, and why treating the disease itself has been so difficult. Then we dive into the groundbreaking development of AMT-130, a gene therapy that has shown promising evidence of substantially slowing Huntington’s progression. We’ll explore how the treatment works, how doctors deliver it directly into the brain, what happened in clinical trials, and what this breakthrough could mean for the future of neurological medicine.

Episode 33: Season 4: Episode 5: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

August 1st, 2026  |  16 mins 37 secs

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is one of the rarest and most fascinating neurological diseases in the world. In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we explore the science behind prions, the unusual proteins responsible for CJD, and how a tiny change in protein structure can lead to widespread effects in the brain. We discuss how CJD affects neurons, its symptoms, how doctors diagnose it, current treatment approaches, and why prion research has completely changed the way scientists understand disease.

Episode 32: Season 4: Episode 4: Cerebral Palsy

July 25th, 2026  |  16 mins 36 secs

What exactly is cerebral palsy, and why is it so often misunderstood?

In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we explore the science behind cerebral palsy, a condition that affects movement, balance, and muscle control because of an injury to the developing brain. We discuss what causes CP, the different types, common misconceptions, and how modern therapies and assistive technologies help people live active, independent lives. Along the way, we clear up the myth that cerebral palsy gets worse over time and explain why every person's experience with CP is unique.

Episode 31: Season 4: Episode 3: Parkinson's Disease

July 25th, 2026  |  15 mins 45 secs

Parkinson's disease is often associated with tremors, but there's much more to the story. In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we explore how the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells affects movement, balance, and everyday life. We also discuss symptoms, diagnosis, current treatments like levodopa and Deep Brain Stimulation, common myths, and the exciting research that could shape the future of Parkinson's care.

Episode 30: Season 4: Episode 2: Multiple Sclerosis

July 25th, 2026  |  10 mins 16 secs

What happens when your body's own immune system mistakes your brain for the enemy?

In this episode of Tumor Minutes, Netra breaks down Multiple Sclerosis (MS)—a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Learn how myelin helps nerve signals travel, why the immune system attacks it, the symptoms people experience, how doctors diagnose MS, and the latest treatments that are changing lives.

Along the way, you'll discover why MS looks different for every person, why MRI scans are so important, and how researchers are working toward repairing damaged myelin.

Whether you've heard of MS before or you're learning about it for the first time, this episode makes a complex neurological condition easy to understand.

Episode 29: Season 4: Episode 1: Alzheimer's Disease

July 4th, 2026  |  12 mins 57 secs

In the Season 4 premiere of Tumor Minutes, we step into the world of brain diseases, starting with Alzheimer’s disease. The episode explores how Alzheimer’s affects memory, thinking, and identity over time, and breaks down what is happening inside the brain at a cellular level. It also clears up common misconceptions about dementia and Alzheimer’s, explains key structures like the hippocampus, and looks at the role of proteins such as amyloid beta and tau in disease progression. Finally, it highlights why research into Alzheimer’s is so important and what current science is doing to move toward better treatments and possible prevention.

Episode 28: Season 3: Episode 8: Lobotomy

July 4th, 2026  |  11 mins 48 secs

This episode of Tumor Minutes explores the history and impact of lobotomies, a once widely accepted brain surgery used to treat mental illness in the early 20th century. It explains how the procedure worked, why it gained popularity, and the devastating effects it had on patients. The episode also highlights key figures like Egas Moniz and Walter Freeman, while examining how desperation and limited medical knowledge led to harmful practices. It ultimately reflects on the ethical lessons lobotomies leave behind and why they still matter in modern medicine.

Episode 27: Season 3: Episode 7: Emergency!

July 4th, 2026  |  10 mins 12 secs

Emergency surgery is performed when a patient’s life is at immediate risk and there is no time to wait. This episode breaks down what qualifies as an emergency, how doctors make rapid decisions with limited information, and what actually happens before, during, and after these high-pressure procedures. It also explains why emergency surgeries carry higher risks and why recognizing serious symptoms early can make a critical difference.

Episode 26: Season 3: Episode 6: Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis

July 4th, 2026  |  11 mins 2 secs

What if losing a tooth could help you see again? In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we explore one of the strangest yet most fascinating surgeries in modern medicine: a procedure where a patient’s own tooth is used to restore vision. From cheek implantation to eye reconstruction, this episode breaks down the science behind the so-called “tooth in eye” surgery in a way that’s clear, engaging, and just the right amount of unhinged.

Episode 25: Season 3: Episode 5: Hemispherectomy

July 4th, 2026  |  9 mins 50 secs

In this episode of Tumor Minutes, Netra explores hemispherectomy, a brain surgery that sounds completely impossible but is very real. By removing or disconnecting half the brain, doctors can treat severe epilepsy and, in rare cases, brain tumors. The episode breaks down how this works and why the brain is way more adaptable than we give it credit for.

Episode 24: Season 3: Episode 4: ETS

April 4th, 2026  |  9 mins 22 secs

This episode of Tumor Minutes explains Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy, a surgical treatment for severe Hyperhidrosis. Netra breaks down why excessive sweating happens, how the Sympathetic Nervous System controls sweat signals, and how surgeons can interrupt those signals to reduce symptoms. The episode explores how the surgery works, why doctors try other treatments first, and what patients can expect afterward, all while keeping the explanation clear, engaging, and a little humorous.

Episode 23: Season 3: Episode 3: Plastic Surgery

March 29th, 2026  |  11 mins 16 secs

This episode of Tumor Minutes breaks down plastic surgery, what it actually is, why people get it, and the double standards celebrities and Korean idols face when it comes to appearance.