About Brian R. Gantwerker, MD

About Practice

Board-certified neurosurgeon Brian Gantwerker, MD, specializes in the treatment of brain tumors, as well as degenerative diseases and injuries of the spinal cord. At his practice, The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles, in Santa Monica, California, patients benefit from his extensive experience treating complex brain and spine problems with minimally invasive techniques, and traditional surgery.

Well-respected in his field, Dr. Gantwerker has authored several book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles. He has also appeared on television and radio interviews and has instructed undergraduates, medical students, and residents in various neurosurgical topics and neuroanatomy.

A Chicago native, Dr. Gantwerker earned a degree in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He went on to receive his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago, where he focused on peripheral nerve regeneration research.

After completing his neurosurgical residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Dr. Gantwerker studied spinal cord regeneration with stem cells at Case Western School of Medicine. He then continued his training at the world-renowned Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, where he finished a complex spine fellowship in 2009.

Dr. Gantwerker is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Golden Key honor societies. He maintains active membership in numerous professional organizations, including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, and the North American Spine Society.  He’s also a member of the California Association of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Gantwerker is a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgeons.