Neurology® Podcast

Dr. Nico Dosenbach, a neurology professor at Washington University, dives into the intricacies of the brain's action mode network and its relationship with other critical networks. He discusses how resting state functional connectivity informs our understanding of neurological disorders. Dosenbach highlights the evolutionary roles of these networks, emphasizing their significance in goal-directed behavior. The conversation also touches on innovative neuromodulation techniques that may enhance motivation and cognitive function, potentially transforming treatment for patients.

Dr. Josep Dalmau, a leader in neuroimmunology, discusses the past decade's evolution in the field. He highlights how a neuroimmunology journal has become a pivotal resource for clinical advancements. The conversation dives into AI’s potential in medical publishing and tackles complex topics like perineoplastic neurological disorders and the nuances of autoimmune epilepsy. Dalmau also clarifies GAD disorders and MOGAD, emphasizing recent breakthroughs that could transform treatment approaches for these conditions.

Dr. Adam Rodman, a physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and expert in large language models, discusses the revolutionary impact of AI on clinical reasoning. They explore the O1 model's superior diagnostic performance compared to previous iterations like GPT-4. The conversation delves into how enhanced machine reasoning abilities could transform neurology and reduce human error. Rodman emphasizes the importance of physicians in shaping technology policy to ensure responsible integration of these tools into patient care while maintaining the human touch in medicine.

Dr. Derek Stitt talks with Dr. Miranda M. Wan about improving training and public awareness to optimize palliative care for patients with neurologic conditions. Read the related article in Neurology: Clinical Practice. Disclosures can be found at Neurology.org.

Dr. Adrian Budhram, a neurologist known for his expertise in autoimmune encephalitis, discusses the complexities of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis after traumatic lumbar punctures. He highlights the challenges neurologists face with red and white blood cell contamination and the research gaps in correction factors for accurate diagnoses. Patient anxiety during these procedures also becomes a focal point, emphasizing the importance of effective doctor-patient communication. Ultimately, the conversation stresses the significance of clinical judgment in interpreting CSF results.

Dr. Simon Ducharme, a senior author from McGill University, dives into intriguing findings on sleep dysfunction related to genetic frontotemporal dementia (FTD). He discusses the impact of MAPT gene mutations on sleep patterns and emphasizes the role of genetic testing for early diagnosis. Ducharme highlights the association between hypothalamic structural changes and sleep issues, along with the need for effective treatment strategies. He also explores the significance of managing sleep disorders in improving care for FTD patients.

In this talk, Nicolás Lundahl Ciano-Petersen, a researcher with expertise in paraneoplastic neurological syndromes, shares fascinating insights on the rare connection between these syndromes and Merkel cell carcinoma. He discusses the intriguing clinical profiles of patients, including symptoms like Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. Lundahl also highlights the potential for spontaneous tumor regression and emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary approaches in diagnosis and treatment, given the complexities surrounding these disorders.

Dr. Ashish D. Patel, a senior resident at Geisinger Medical Center and lead author on headache referrals, joins the discussion about enhancing headache care. He explains how design thinking can revolutionize referral processes in neurology. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration among healthcare providers to break down barriers. Additionally, they delve into clinical decision support tools that improve diagnosis, showing how these tools can reduce unnecessary referrals and streamline patient management.

Dr. Andy Southerland talks with Dr. Scott Friedenberg about the challenges faced by neurologists in balancing financial productivity with optimal patient care Read the related article in Neurology: Clinical Practice. Disclosures can be found at Neurology.org.

Ring in the new year with the January 2025 replay of previously released episodes discussing the rise of science sleuths. In this three-part series Dr. Stacey Clardy talks with Dr. Elisabeth Bik and Dr. Matthew Schrag about critical issues surrounding research integrity and misconduct. Podcast Links: The Rise of the Science Sleuths - Part 1 The Rise of the Science Sleuths - Part 2 The Rise of the Science Sleuths - Part 3  Article Link: The Rise of the Science Sleuths  Disclosures can be found at Neurology.org.