Understanding the Challenges of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

A number of people will lose the ability to communicate during their lifetime. This includes an inability to speak and produce movements in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). But is there a way to continue communicating with the world when your body fails you? Rossella Spataro, MD, from the University of Palermo, is a clinical neurologist and brain-computer interface (BCI) researcher. She works on finding alternative solutions for people with ALS to start communicating again using innovative neurotechnology tools. Dr. Spataro also shares how passion can help you find and sustain your dream career!

Stay tuned!

During this episode, you will learn about:

[00:00] Episode intro and what’s in for you in today’s episode

[01:45] Meet Rossella Spataro, MD; know her background & why she got interested in research

[04:23] When did Rossella decide to focus on researching the brain

[05:37] Rossella’s challenges in medical school and the advice she gives to students

[07:25] Research work Rossella is currently doing

[11:30] What is a brain-computer interface (BCI), and the potential of what can it do?

[15:25] Dr. Spataro’s motivation to focus on alternative solutions for people with ALS

[16:51] A typical case of an ALS patient

[19:18] Phases of ALS’s impaired communication and when BCI is needed

[25:44] Reasons for rising suicide cases among the ALS patients

[28:24] Obstacles hindering the implementation of BCI in ALS

[31:04] What can be done to hasten the implementation of research in clinical settings

[32:47] Dr. Spataro’s secrets to high-quality research

[35:20] Time management strategies Dr. Spataro shares with us

[38:23] Dr. Spataro’s prediction on BCI and ALS research and her plans in this field

[40:47] How to reach out and find more about Dr. Spataro’s research work

[41:40] Dr. Spataro’s advice to students in the field of neuroscience and neurotechnology research

[42:33] Wrap-up and calls to action

• Neuroscience research is ever-growing and advancing. Discoveries from two years ago may be less significant in clinical setups.
• You can stop waiting and start working on things and discover a passion along the way from the things you do.
• You are paid for how effectively you use your time.
• When your work is filled with passion and joy, it gives you energy and support, especially during hard times during research.
• Passion is a good way to go ahead.
• The inability of ALS patients to communicate is the main cause of suicide cases among these groups.
• Using a language everyone easily understands is one of the secrets to successful multidisciplinary research.

Rossella Spataro, MD, is a clinical neurologist at the University of Palermo, Italy. Dr. Spatarto collaborates with the g.tec company on her research projects in the brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) field.

Find Dr. Spataro's publications and connect with her on the Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rossella-Spataro

The Neurocareers podcast is brought to you by The Institute of Neuroapproaches and its founder - Milena Korostenskaja, Ph.D. (Dr. K) - a neuroscience educator, neuroscience research consultant, and career coach for students and recent graduates in neuroscience and neurotechnologies: https://www.neuroapproaches.org/

You will benefit from neuroscience-based coaching if you want to...

• Get your projects DONE instead of procrastinating and feeling stuck.
• Step out of burnout ONCE AND FOR ALL without overeating, overdrinking, or binge-watching.
• STOP feeling anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed when managing your time and responsibilities.
• OVERCOME FEAR of public speaking and improve your communication skills.
• Get rid of your chronic IMPOSTER SYNDROME and boost your SELF-CONFIDENCE instead.
• ACHIEVE your goals and BUILD a successful career instead of failing.

Get in touch with Dr. K. by sending an email: neuroapproaches@gmail.com

Schedule a free consultation session with Dr. K. by following this link: https://neuroapproaches.as.me/