Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast eanCast: Weekly Neurology

In this episode, Mariusz Siemiński speaks with David Schreier about the relationship between sleep disorders and traumatic brain injury.

In this episode, Luca Cuffaro speaks with Ingibjörg Jónsdóttir about burnout and the neurobiology of stress-related exhaustion.

In this episode, Lorenzo Barba speaks with Henrik Zetterberg and Gemma Salvadó about the role of biomarkers in translational neurology and monitoring therapeutic efficacy.

In this episode, Harald Prüß speaks with Juna de Vries about targeted cellular therapy for anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

In this episode, Kleopas Kleopa speaks with Jo Ng about gene therapy for rare neurological disorders.

In this episode, Kristian Steen Frederiksen speaks with Katarina Rukavina about guideline implementation in neurological practice.

In this episode, Piergiorgio Lochner speaks with Stephan Schreiber about carpal tunnel syndrome and its detection by ultrasound.

In this episode, Piergiorgio Lochner speaks with Arijana Lovrečić-Huzjan about giant cell arteritis and its neurological presentation.

In this episode, Jurgita Valaikienė speaks with Cristina Duque about the multimodal assessment of carotid plaques at risk and their role in cerebrovascular disease.

In this episode, Jurgita Valaikienė speaks with Theodoros Mavridis.

In this episode, Elisa Canu speaks with Sophie Scott.

In this week’s episode, Elka Stefanova and Marua Panozzo Chiomento discuss how Parkinson’s disease affects language and communication.

Moderator: Elka Stefanova (Belgrade, Serbia) Guest: Stefano Francesco Cappa (Milan, Italy) In this episode, Elka Stefanova speaks with Stefano Francesco Cappa about the relationship between language and the motor system and its implications for the evolution and neural organisation of language. They discuss evidence from cognitive neuroscience, neuroanatomy, and neurodegenerative disorders, highlighting the role of sensorimotor processes in semantic representation and acquired language dysfunction in neurological practice.

Moderator: Elisa Canu (Milan, Italy) Guest: Cornelius Weiller (Freiburg, Germany) In this episode, Elisa Canu speaks with Cornelius Weiller about the neural architecture underlying language, concept formation, and the brain’s interaction with the environment. They discuss the role of dorsal, ventral, and semantic pathways, convergence hubs, and their relevance for understanding language processing, cognition, and neurological disorders affecting communication and higher cortical functions.

Moderator: Gail Kinman (London, UK) Guest: Alice Accorroni (Geneva, Switzerland) In this episode, Alice Accorroni speaks with Gail Kinman about burnout in healthcare and the role of occupational health psychology in its prevention and management. They discuss the definition and recognition of burnout, key warning signs, and the importance of organisational factors, workplace culture, and leadership in supporting clinician wellbeing and maintaining safe neurological practice.

Moderator: Cláudia Santos Silva (Lisbon, Portugal) Guest: Andrea Calvo (Turin, Italy) In this episode, Cláudia Santos Silva speaks with Andrea Calvo about the genetics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). They discuss the shared genetic basis of these disorders, key disease-associated genes, and the role of genetic testing, counselling, and result interpretation in clinical practice, highlighting how genetic discoveries are advancing precision medicine and emerging gene-targeted therapies in ALS and FTD.

Moderator: Raffaele Dubbioso (Naples, Italy) Guest: Andrea Malaspina (London, UK) and Francesco Di Lorenzo (Rome, Italy) In this episode, Raffaele Dubbioso speaks with Andrea Malaspina and Francesco Di Lorenzo about the growing role of neurofilaments as biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. They discuss the biological basis and clinical interpretation of neurofilament measurements, their diagnostic and prognostic value, and their emerging role in identifying pre-symptomatic disease, monitoring progression, and supporting clinical trials in neurological practice.

Moderator: Elisa Canu (Milan, Italy) Guest: Anna Gilioli (Milan, Italy) In this episode, Elisa Canu speaks with Anna Gilioli about social cognition impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). They discuss its clinical manifestations, underlying neurobiological mechanisms, and assessment approaches, highlighting the importance of early recognition and its implications for patient management, prognosis, and multidisciplinary neurological care.

Moderator: Valentina Iuzzolino (Naples, Italy) Guest: Elka Stefanova (Belgrade, Serbia) and Mamede de Carvalho (Lisbon, Porugal) In this episode, Valentina Iuzzolino speaks with Elka Stefanova and Mamede de Carvalho about diagnostic challenges in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. They discuss clinical heterogeneity, key differential diagnoses and red flags, the role of Gold Coast criteria and neurophysiology in ALS, and the importance of longitudinal clinical assessment and neuroimaging in distinguishing frontotemporal dementia from primary psychiatric disorders.

Moderator: Raphael Wurm (Vienna, Austria) Guest: Roland Wiest (Bern, Switzerland) In this episode, Raphael Wurm speaks with Roland Wiest about how the AI revolution is set to reshape the clinical environment in neurology. They discuss the areas where augmentation and automation are likely to have the greatest impact, including neuroimaging, clinical workflows, and decision support, while exploring how neurologists can prepare themselves and their institutions to translate emerging AI technologies into meaningful improvements for both clinicians and patients.

Moderator: Georg Starke (Munich, Germany) Guest: Giulia Di Rauso (New York, USA) In this episode, Georg Starke speaks with Giulia Di Rauso about trustworthiness and the use of artificial intelligence in neurological research and clinical practice. They discuss explainability, data quality, interpretability, and human oversight in AI systems, highlighting key considerations for responsible integration of AI tools into neurology and the importance of maintaining clinical judgement.

Moderator: Maria Chiara Malaguti (Rovereto, Italy) Guest: Gary Leeming (Liverpool, UK) In this episode, Maria Chiara Malaguti and Gary Leeming discuss the evolving role of artificial intelligence in neurology. Aimed at clinical neurologists, the conversation explores how AI may support clinical practice, while also addressing its limitations, ethical implications, and the need for human oversight. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in healthcare, neurologists will need to develop a solid understanding of these tools in order to use them critically, guide their implementation, and remain in control of clinical decision-making.

Moderator: Raphael Bernard-Valnet (Lausanne, Switzerland) Guest: Roland Wiest (Bern, Switzerland) and Monica Moroni (Trento, Italy) In this episode, Raphael Bernard-Valnet speaks with Roland Wiest and Monica Moroni about the fundamentals of artificial intelligence in clinical neurology and its practical implications for neurologists. They discuss key applications such as imaging analysis, diagnostic and decision-support tools, and emerging use in wearables, while addressing interpretability, standardisation, and current barriers to routine clinical implementation.

Moderator: Kirsten R. Müller-Vahl (Hanover, Germany) Guest: Natalia Szejko (Warsaw, Poland) and Anna Dunalska (Warsaw, Poland) In this episode, Kirsten R. Müller-Vahl speaks with Natalia Szejko and Anna Dunalska about functional neurological disorders and the influence of social media. They discuss common clinical presentations, challenges in diagnosis based on positive signs, and the impact of online information on symptom expression, patient expectations, and clinical management, with implications for contemporary neurological practice.

Moderator: Selma Aybek (Fribourg, Switzerland) Guests: Gabriela Gilmour (Calgary, Canada) and Katarzyna Śmiłowska (Sosnowiec, Poland) In this episode, Selma Aybek speaks with Gabriela Gilmour and Katarzyna Śmiłowska about the overlap between functional neurological disorders and movement disorders. They discuss key diagnostic principles based on positive clinical signs, mechanisms underlying co-occurrence, and practical challenges in distinguishing functional symptoms from conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, with implications for accurate diagnosis and management in neurological practice.

Moderator: Primavera Spagnolo (Boston, MA) Guest: Natalia Szejko (Warsaw, Poland) and Anna Dunalska (Warsaw, Poland) In this episode, Primavera Spagnolo speaks with Natalia Szejko and Anna Dunalska about functional neurological disorders, focusing on the influence of biological sex and gender on their development and clinical presentation. They discuss diagnostic features, epidemiology and female predominance, neurobiological and sociocultural factors, sex-related differences in presentation and comorbidities, and implications for sex- and gender-informed diagnosis and multidisciplinary care in neurological practice.

Moderator: Veronica Cabreira (Porto, Portugal) Guest: Mark Edwards (London, UK) and Jon Stone (Edinburgh, UK) Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) remains one of the most common yet least adequately taught conditions in neurology training across Europe. In this episode, moderator Veronica Cabreira and expert guests Jon Stone and Mark Edwards reflect on historical and contemporary factors that contribute to major gaps in education and training on FND across Europe. They argue that FND should be the “business” of Neurologists and provide their insights into advocating for better clinical pathways and specialist services, integrating evidence-based FND teaching, and aligning health policy for FND with modern clinical practice.

Moderator: Taras Voloshyn (Kyiv, Ukraine) Guests: Laavanya Damodaran (Birmingham, UK), Osman Malik (London, UK) In this episode, Taras Voloshyn speaks with Laavanya Damodaran and Osman Malik about autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan, with particular focus on the transition from childhood to adulthood. They discuss core diagnostic features, early clinical signs, evolving presentations in adult patients, and the challenges of recognition, comorbidities, and long-term multidisciplinary support in neurological and psychiatric practice.

Moderator: Francesco Germano (Genoa, Italy) Guest: Matteo Cataldi (Genoa, Italy) In this episode, Francesco Germano speaks with Matteo Cataldi about Guillain-Barré syndrome and other inflammatory neuropathies across the lifespan. They discuss key age-related differences in epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies in pediatric and adult patients, highlighting practical considerations for early recognition, risk assessment, and treatment in neurological practice.

Moderator: Natalia Szejko (Warsaw, Poland) Guests: Tammy Hedderly (London, UK), Alexander Münchau (Lübeck, Germany) In this episode, Natalia Szejko speaks with Tammy Hedderly and Alexander Münchau about the similarities and differences in movement disorders across the lifespan. They discuss the clinical evolution of tics and stereotypies from childhood to adulthood, the distinct diagnostic implications of dystonia and parkinsonism in pediatric versus adult populations, and the importance of multidisciplinary care and acceptance-based strategies in neurological practice.

Moderator: Meagan Watson (Denver, USA) Guests: Pavlina Danhofer (Brno, Czech Republic), Natalia Szejko (Warsaw, Poland) In this episode, Meagan Watson speaks with Pavlína Danhofer and Natalia Szejko about whether functional neurological disorders (FNDs) present differently in children and adults. They discuss age-specific clinical features, comorbidities, developmental and family context, diagnostic challenges, and the role of early, tailored multidisciplinary management to improve outcomes in neurological practice.

In this episode, Yıldız Değirmenci speaks with Julie Hall and Marit Ruitenberg about non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease, focusing on anxiety and cognitive impairment. They examine their clinical profiles, early detection challenges including neuropsychological markers, interactions with motor manifestations, and implications for comprehensive assessment and individualized management in neurological practice.

Moderator: João Durães (Coimbra, Portugal) Guests: Paola Giunti (London, UK), Lidia Sarro (Milan, Italy) In this episode, João Durães, Paola Giunti and Lidia Sarro provide a rigorous examination of the diagnostic and therapeutic landscape of treatable ataxias, focusing on rare variants. The discussion first delineates autoimmune etiologies, such as anti-GAD, paraneoplastic, and gluten-related syndromes, before transitioning to a detailed review of acquired and genetic metabolic disorders, including vitamin deficiencies, NPC, Refsum disease, Glut1 deficiency, CTX, and Wilson’s disease among others. By highlighting critical clinical and paraclinical "red flags," the contributors offer a framework for accelerating differential diagnosis. The session concludes with an analysis of contemporary pharmacological advancements, notably the recent EMA approval for Friedreich’s Ataxia and the efficacy of repurposed drugs in treating genetic forms such as EA1/2 and SCA27B.

Moderator: Olimpia Musumeci (Messina, Italy) Guests: Antonio Toscano (Messina, Italy), Marianne De Visser (Amsterdam, Netherlands) In this episode, Olimpia Musumeci speaks with Antonio Toscano and Marianne de Visser about hereditary, particularly metabolic, and acquired myopathies, especially idiopathic inflammatory myopathies amenable to treatment. They review advances in pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches and novel therapies, highlighting clinical red flags and strategies that have a significant impact on timely diagnosis and management in daily neurological practice.

Moderator: Emanuele D’amico (Foggia, Italy) Guest: Anna Bersano (Milan, Italy) In this episode, Emanuele D’Amico speaks with Anna Bersano about red flags for rare and potentially treatable cerebral small vessel diseases. They discuss how early onset, family history, multisystem involvement, and characteristic MRI patterns can help distinguish monogenic and metabolic forms from sporadic disease, focusing on conditions such as CADASIL, Fabry disease, CARASIL, and COL4A1/2-related angiopathies, and emphasising the importance of structured diagnostic pathways and early recognition for appropriate management.

Moderator: Piervito Lopriore (Pisa, Italy) Guests: Chiara La Morgia (Bologna, Italy), Michelangelo Mancuso (Pisa, Italy) In this episode, Piervito Lopriore discusses red flags for treatable mitochondrial diseases with Michelangelo Mancuso and Chiara La Morgia. They highlight the clinical heterogeneity of these disorders, key diagnostic clues in neurological practice, and selected conditions such as Friedreich ataxia, TK2 deficiency, Barth syndrome, and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, with a focus on early recognition and targeted therapies.

Moderator: Yildiz Degirmenci (Istanbul, Türkiye) Guest: Marit Ruitenberg (Leiden, Netherlands) In this episode, Yıldız Değirmenci speaks with Marit Ruitenberg about the relationship between cognition and movement in neurodegenerative disorders. They discuss evidence showing that conditions traditionally classified as motor or cognitive often involve impairments across both domains, with examples from Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. The conversation highlights subtle cognitive and motor features that may be overlooked and emphasises the clinical relevance of integrated assessment for diagnosis, patient counselling, and understanding disease burden.

Moderator: Gabriela Rusin (Kraków, Poland) Guest: Jakub Antczak (Kraków, Poland) In this episode, Gabriela Rusin speaks with Jakub Antczak about non-invasive neuromodulation in neurology. They outline the principles of transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial electrical stimulation, emphasizing their role in modulating brain plasticity in network-based neurological disorders. The discussion reviews current clinical evidence across conditions such as stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, neuropathic pain, and Parkinson’s disease, highlighting variability in treatment response and key limitations. They also address practical considerations for clinical use, the importance of patient selection and combination with rehabilitation, and emerging techniques aimed at improving targeting and personalisation.

Moderator: Gabriela Rusin (Kraków, Poland) Guest: Jakub Antczak (Kraków, Poland) In this episode, Gabriela Rusin speaks with Jakub Antczak about the role of nerve ultrasound in neuromuscular diagnostics. The growing popularity of this method is rapidly transforming the field of neurology. In combination with nerve conduction studies and electromyography, it provides insight into both the function and the structure of peripheral nerves. They discuss the technical foundations of neuromuscular ultrasound as well as key clinical indications (neuropathies, trauma, plexopathies, root lesions, etc.) and real-world applications. Prof. Antczak shares his experience and practical tips for clinicians interested in incorporating peripheral nerve ultrasound into their practice.

Moderator: Caterina Leone (Rome, Italy) Guest: Andrea Truini (Rome, Italy) In this episode, Caterina Leone speaks with Andrea Truini about small fibre neuropathy, a frequently under-recognised condition with a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. They discuss key clinical features, including neuropathic pain and autonomic symptoms, and explain why routine nerve conduction studies are often normal. The conversation highlights the role and limitations of skin biopsy and functional testing, the importance of identifying underlying causes, and practical approaches to diagnosis and management with realistic treatment expectations.

Moderator: Rob Hadden (London, United Kingdom) Guest: Claudia Sommer (Würzburg, Germany) In this episode, Rob Hadden and Claudia Sommer discuss ongoing challenges in treating CIDP. While most patients benefit from current therapies, some remain treatment-refractory, driving the need for innovation. They highlight emerging response definitions, promising FcRn and complement inhibitors, and the importance of individualized care and serum biomarkers for improving patient outcomes. This episode has been supported by an educational grant from argenx. The programme has not been influenced in any way by its supporter.

Moderator: Yilidz Degirmenci (Istanbul, Türkiye) Guest: Hanneke Hulst (Auckland, New Zealand) In this episode, Yıldız Değirmenci speaks with Hanneke Hulst about cognitive problems in multiple sclerosis, an often invisible but highly disabling aspect of the disease. They discuss how common cognitive impairment is in MS, the domains most frequently affected, particularly information processing speed and memory, and the underlying white and gray matter pathology. The conversation highlights the real-world impact on work, relationships, and quality of life, as well as practical strategies for early detection, screening, and cognitive support in clinical practice.

Moderator: Alfonso Magliacano (Florence, Italy) Guest: Charlène Aubinet (Liege, Belgium) In this episode, Alfonso Magliacano is joined by Charlène Aubinet to examine how language and communication impairments shape the assessment and recovery of patients emerging from coma. They discuss the clinical distinctions between unresponsive wakefulness syndrome and the minimally conscious state, highlighting how aphasia and other comorbidities can obscure signs of awareness and lead to misdiagnosis. Dr. Aubinet outlines emerging tools, from eye-tracking assessments to EEG and fMRI markers, that help detect residual language processing even without behavioral responses. The conversation also explores how early linguistic abilities can serve as prognostic indicators, the practical challenges faced by speech therapists, and the evidence that some language processing may persist even in states of severely impaired consciousness, with important clinical and ethical implications.

Moderator: Justyna Paprocka (Katowice, Poland) Guests: Stephan Rüegg (Basel, Switzerland), Markus Leitinger (Salzburg, Austria) In this episode, Justyna Paprocka welcomes Stefan Rüegg and Markus Leitinger to examine how clinicians can approach emergency EEG in suspected non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). They discuss NCSE epidemiology, the importance of continuous EEG, and the use of structured diagnostic frameworks including the Salzburg criteria and the 2HELPS2B score. The conversation highlights practical strategies such as IV anti-seizure medication trials, pitfalls in benzodiazepine use, and the complexities of distinguishing NCSE from encephalopathy. The experts also address EEG interpretation in post-anoxic patients and recommend foundational literature for early-career neurologists.

Moderator: Messud Ashina (Copenhagen, Denmark) Guests: Theodoros Mavridis (Dublin, Ireland), Oxana Grosu (Chișinău, Moldova) In this episode, Messud Ashina is joined by Theodoros Mavridis and Oxana Grosu to discuss the latest advances in pain and headache medicine, as highlighted in the EAN Pain and Headache Panels' Yearbook chapters. The conversation dives into recent breakthroughs in the pathophysiology of pain and headaches, as well as cutting-edge approaches to prevention and treatment. The experts explore how new research is influencing clinical practice, with a focus on the synergies between pain and headache management. They also examine emerging trends, potential future directions, and the impact of these developments on patient care.

Moderator: Theodoros Mavridis (Dublin, Ireland) Guests: Diana Aguiar de Sousa (Lisbon, Portugal), Mira Katan (Basel, Switzerland) Embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) continues to challenge clinicians as its definition and diagnostic approach evolve. In this episode, Theodoros Mavridis is joined by Diana Aguiar de Sousa and Mira Katan. They explore the epidemiological, clinical and mechanistic nuances of ESUS, discuss insights gained from major clinical trials, and examine current therapeutic strategies. The conversation also highlights advances in detecting covert embolic sources, the emerging relevance of atrial myopathy, the role of PFO closure, and the promise of biomarkers in shaping future patient care.

Theodoros Mavridis (Dublin, Ireland) Ana Catarina Fonseca (Lisbon, Portugal) In this episode, Theodoros Mavridis speaks with Ana Catarina Fonseca about the updated European guidelines for acute ischemic stroke. They discuss advances in reperfusion therapy, including extended time windows for thrombolysis using advanced imaging, broader eligibility criteria, and evidence supporting thrombectomy in patients with low ASPECTS scores, mild deficits, and posterior circulation strokes. The conversation also highlights the continued importance of stroke unit care and emerging pre-hospital technologies aimed at speeding diagnosis and improving outcomes.

Moderator: Theodoros Mavridis (Dublin, Ireland) Guest: David Seiffge (Bern, Switzerland) In this episode, Theodoros Mavridis speaks with guest David Seiffge about breakthrough strokes, a challenging condition where ischemic strokes occur despite the use of antithrombotic therapies. They explore the diagnostic process, investigating compliance, and identifying competing etiologies. Prof. Seiffge also discusses potential treatment options, including emerging therapies like Factor 11 inhibitors and left atrial appendage closure, offering insights into ongoing trials aimed at improving patient outcomes.

Moderator: Benedetta Storti (San Donà di Piave, Italy) Guest: Charlotte Cordonnier (Lille, France) Join Benedetta Storti and Charlotte Cordonnier for a discussion on the acute management of intracerebral hemorrhage. Discover the latest European Stroke Organization guidelines, the importance of timely intervention, and the evolving role of reversal agents and surgical approaches in stroke care.