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Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol MD during surgery

ATLAS Institute Brain and Spine Aaron Cohen-Gadol MD

More than 7500 Complex Brain Surgeries
Over 600 Innovative Peer-Reviewed Papers
Pioneered 40 Surgical Techniques
Recipient of the Vilhelm Magnus Medal

Uncompromising Excellence.
Unmatched Outcomes.

World-Class Neurosurgical Excellence in Los Angeles

When facing a complex brain or spine condition, the expertise of your neurosurgeon can mean the difference between hope and uncertainty. At Atlas Institute of Brain & Spine, patients from Los Angeles, across the United States, and around the world receive care from one of neurosurgery’s most distinguished innovators—Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol—whose pioneering techniques and uncompromising commitment to excellence have transformed outcomes for thousands of patients facing conditions once considered inoperable.

Our Practice Philosophy

A doctor in a suit explains a medical model to a seated woman in an examination room.
A surgeon wearing scrubs, gloves, and a mask operates while using a surgical microscope in a brightly lit operating room.
"The pursuit of technical excellence in neurosurgery is a passion, not a job," Dr. Cohen-Gadol explains. "My philosophy has always been to do the best anyone can, rather than the best I can."

A Legacy of Innovation and Exceptional Outcomes

Dr. Cohen-Gadol has performed more than 7,500 complex brain surgeries throughout his career—more than any other single surgeon in the United States. These documented procedures form the foundation of The Neurosurgical Atlas, recognized worldwide as the definitive educational resource in neurosurgery and used by over 70,000 physicians globally. His contributions have earned him the prestigious Vilhelm Magnus Medal, often referred to as the Nobel Prize of Neurosurgery and awarded to only 13 individuals in history.

Beyond technical mastery, Dr. Cohen-Gadol has pioneered over 40 minimally invasive surgical techniques that have reshaped how neurosurgeons approach complex cases worldwide. His work in fluorescence-guided brain tumor surgery, endoscopic skull base approaches, and awake brain mapping has advanced the field and improved outcomes for patients globally. He is also the founder of AtlasGPT, an artificial intelligence platform specifically engineered for neurosurgical decision-making that outperforms general AI models in clinical accuracy and surgical planning.

Meet Dr. Cohen-Gadol

professional affiliations

Conditions We Treat with Precision and Compassion

Atlas Institute specializes in the surgical treatment of complex neurological conditions requiring the highest level of expertise:

A medical professional wearing gloves and scrubs performs a surgical procedure, using tools and working on a patient covered with a sterile drape.

Brain & Skull Base Tumors

Patients with gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary tumors, acoustic neuromas, craniopharyngiomas, chordomas, skull base lesions, and recurrent tumors benefit from Dr. Cohen-Gadol’s extensive experience with challenging cases. His refined techniques allow for maximal tumor removal while preserving critical neurologic function.

Brain Tumors
A surgeon in scrubs and a mask operates using a surgical microscope in an operating room.

Cerebrovascular Conditions

Treatment of brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, cavernous malformations, dural arteriovenous fistulas, and moyamoya disease requires exceptional surgical precision. Dr. Cohen-Gadol’s mastery of microsurgical and bypass techniques provides patients with outcomes that rival or exceed those available anywhere in the world.

Cerebrovascular & Vascular Surgery
A surgeon in scrubs and a mask operates using advanced medical equipment in a sterile operating room.

Cranial Nerve Disorders

For patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, and other facial pain syndromes, microvascular decompression performed with meticulous attention to anatomic detail offers lasting relief. Dr. Cohen-Gadol’s extensive experience with these delicate procedures has helped hundreds of patients reclaim pain-free lives.

Functional & Cranial Nerve Disordes
A surgeon wearing scrubs, gloves, and a mask operates a medical device, possibly a microscope, during a surgical procedure.

Spinal Conditions

Complex spinal cord tumors, stenosis/disk herniations, and other spinal conditions require surgical judgement refined by years of experience treating the most challenging cases.

Spinal Surgery

Advanced Surgical Techniques That Redefine What's Possible

The precision demanded by neurosurgery has driven Dr. Cohen-Gadol to develop and refine cutting-edge approaches that minimize invasiveness while maximizing outcomes. His practice incorporates state-of-the-art technologies including fluorescence-guided tumor resection that causes abnormal tissue to glow under specialized lighting, awake craniotomy with real-time brain mapping to preserve speech and motor function, endoscopic techniques that allow tumor removal through natural corridors without opening the skull, high-definition microsurgical visualization, intraoperative MRI for immediate surgical verification, and 3D surgical simulation for meticulous preoperative planning.

Advanced Surgical Techniques & Technology

A surgeon wearing gloves and a sterile gown performs a medical procedure on a patient, using surgical instruments and tubing under bright light in an operating room.

“The interest of my patients is the most important consideration in any surgical intervention,” Dr. Cohen-Gadol emphasizes. “I strive to create a plan of care that I would recommend to my own family. I believe in uncompromising excellence and want my patients to be confident that they will have the best possible surgical outcomes compared to those anywhere in the world.”

A Neurosurgeon Sought Worldwide for Complex, Most Difficult, and High-Risk Cases

Neurosurgeons and patients from across the globe seek Dr. Cohen-Gadol’s expertise for second opinions on complex or previously considered inoperable cases. His reputation for taking on the most challenging surgical scenarios—cases that other surgeons may decline—has made Atlas Institute a destination for patients who need the highest level of neurosurgical care. Patients travel from throughout California, including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and across the United States and internationally, to benefit from his surgical mastery.

Dr. Cohen-Gadol’s contributions extend beyond the operating room. He has published more than 600 peer-reviewed articles in respected neurosurgical journals and has served as Associate Editor-in-Chief of Neurosurgical Focus and board member of World Neurosurgery. His role as a visiting professor and lecturer at major neurosurgical institutions worldwide has influenced surgical education and advanced patient care on every continent.

A man in a suit demonstrates a point using a model of a human organ in a medical office setting.

The Neurosurgical Atlas: The Ultimate Source of Innovation and Education, Advancing Care

As founder and Chief Editor of The Neurosurgical Atlas—the world’s most prestigious neurosurgical innovation and education resource—Dr. Cohen-Gadol has documented thousands of surgical procedures in meticulous detail, creating an invaluable teaching tool that has mentored hundreds of neurosurgeons and influenced care for millions of patients globally. This commitment to education reflects his belief that advancing the field benefits not just his own patients, but neurosurgical patients everywhere.

The Atlas represents Dr. Cohen-Gadol’s dedication to transparency and knowledge-sharing in medicine. Each procedure is documented with surgical video, anatomical illustrations, and detailed technical explanations, creating the most comprehensive resource of its kind and earning recognition as the “bible of neurosurgery” among practitioners worldwide.

The Neurosurgical Atlas

Frequently Asked Questions About Atlas Institute of Brain & Spine

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Expert Neurosurgical Care in Los Angeles

At Atlas Institute of Brain & Spine, every patient receives the benefit of Dr. Cohen-Gadol’s decades of experience, innovative techniques, and genuine compassion. Whether you’re facing a newly diagnosed brain tumor, a recurrent condition, or a complex vascular malformation, you’ll find expertise refined by thousands of successful surgeries and a commitment to excellence that has earned international recognition.

Dr. Cohen-Gadol practices at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Saint John’s Health Center, providing patients access to world-class facilities and comprehensive support services. His dedication extends beyond technical excellence to include authentic empathy and understanding during what may be the most challenging time in a patient’s life.

Out of Town & International Patients

Begin Your Journey to Exceptional Neurosurgical Care

For patients in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and throughout the world facing complex neurological conditions, Atlas Institute of Brain & Spine offers the expertise, technology, and compassionate care you deserve. Dr. Cohen-Gadol and his team are ready to review your case and provide the guidance you need to move forward with confidence.

Contact Atlas Institute of Brain & Spine today to schedule a consultation, request a second opinion, or upload your imaging studies for review. Experience the difference that world-renowned expertise and uncompromising commitment to excellence can make in your neurosurgical journey.

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