1) Why brain death is considered death and 2) Topic of the month: Neuro-infectious diseases. This podcast for the Neurology Journal begins and closes with Dr. Robert Gross, Editor-in-Chief, briefly discussing highlighted articles from the print issue of Neurology. In the second segment Dr. Mike Brogan interviews Drs. Chris Burkle and Eelco Wijdicks about their paper on why brain death is considered death. Dr. Adam Numis is reading our e-Pearl of the week about equine encephalitides. In the next part of the podcast Dr. Chenjie Xia interviews Dr. David Clifford about progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and neurologic care of patients with HIV/AIDS. The participants had nothing to disclose except Drs. Wijdicks, Numis and Clifford.Dr. Wijdicks served as Editor-in-Chief of Neurocritical Care and receives royalties from the publication of several books published by Oxford University Press.Dr. Numis serves on the editorial team for the Neurology® Resident and Fellow Section. Dr. Clifford has served/serves on scientific advisory boards for Amgen, Biogen Idec/Quintiles, BMS, Genentech, Inc., Genzyme Corporation, Pfizer Inc, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sanofi-aventis; received a speaker honorarium from Sun Pharmaceuticals; serves/has served as a consultant for Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Genzyme Corporation, Biogen Idec, IAS-USA, CMSC/ACTRIMS, ECTRIMS, Drinker, Biddle, Reath, Cytheris and Novartis; receives research support from Lilly, Roche, Alzheimer Association and the NIH (NIMH, NINR); and has provided consultation in medico-legal cases.