Practical Neurology Podcast

A neuroinflammatory disorder with the potential to affect virtually any organ in the body, IgG4-related disease is a challenge on many fronts. The latest Editors' Choice paper in the June 2025 issue takes on this systemic disease, presenting a treatment algorithm for its management. This episode, PN's podcast editor Dr. Amy Ross Russell speaks with author Dr. Claire Rice. Hear an overview on the disease background, the signs in pre...

This episode’s theme is new diseases, whether they are newly described, or old diseases back in a new form. We start off with IgG4-related disease, a chronic multisystem disorder that is still being understood. Then there is a genetics paper on repeat expansion disorders, a group of conditions often thought as disparate but with quite a few commonalities. Next along is a fascinating case following gastric sleeve baria...

Two wide open cases from the latest issue of the journal. Starting with a case from Italy (1:18), of a 63-yo man having a history of behavioural and cognitive problems since retiring. His many changes included low mood, significant weight loss, and problems with sleep and temperature regulation. He had a background of type 2 diabetes. Initial treatment was on a suspicion of Alzheimer's, but there was no clinical improvement. https:...

Immune checkpoint inhibitors can significantly improve cancer survival rates. But resulting immune-related toxicities are common, requiring multidisciplinary cooperation between oncology and neurology. 

This episode, PN's podcast editor Dr. Amy Ross Russell speaks with a panel of experts on the balancing act required when treating cancer patients with these new drugs. Oncologist Dr. Heather Shaw¹ is alongside neurologists Dr. Aisli...

• Professor Alasdair Coles is Head of Department for Clinical Neuroscience and also Co-Director of the Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair, UK.
• Dr. Tamara Kaplan is Assistant Professor of Neu...

It's a podcast of pairs this time, for the latest issue of the journal. There's two hosts, two halves of the brain, two sides to a clinical debate, and two themes to the episode itself. Leading off is a discussion on peripheral neurology, taking a look at the editors' choice paper on immune checkpoint inhibitors. That's followed by a paper on  secondary hypertension, and another on small fibre neuropathies. The second half covers e...

A puzzling pair of Case Reports from the most recent issue of the journal. First up (1:35) is a man in his mid-fifties, presenting with lumbar spine fractures, which then developed into confusion, vomiting, and abdominal pain. An x-ray showed  dilated intestinal loops and his blood sodium levels were low. https://pn.bmj.com/content/25/1/87

The second case (23:06) involves a 21-yo woman, who presented  at 18 weeks pregnant with  mul...

Intermittent painful spasms, stiffness and rigidity of the proximal and truncal muscles are only a few symptoms of the relatively uncommon Stiff-person syndrome (SPS). In this podcast, we delve into the characteristics and diagnosis of this complex autoimmune condition.

PN's podcast editor Dr. Amy Ross Russell interviews Professor Saiju Jacob (University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK). The paper is the E...

The practice of neurology is constantly changing, and the papers in this issue exemplify that trend. On this episode, journal editors Dr. Geraint Fuller and Prof. Philip Smith discuss their highlights from the latest issue of Practical Neurology, for February 2025. They begin with the editors' choice paper on stiff person syndrome, then speak about new guidance from the ABN on disease-modifying treatments for MS. There's also life-...

Two more fascinating Case Reports from the latest issue of the journal. The first case (1:15) is of a 57-yo woman, with an intermittent posterior headache, which had an associated bilateral pressure-like sensation. Her symptoms had begun on a recent trip to Sri Lanka. https://pn.bmj.com/content/24/6/526 

Following on is the second case (22:18), which features a 54-yo man experiencing deterioration in his speech and mobility. He had...

It’s the Christmas Special for 2024! Joining Amy in the studio is Dr. Steven Lewis. Current secretary general of the World Federation of Neurology, Steven is based in the United States, where he works as a general neurologist. Their conversation builds on a recent article by Dr. Bas Bloem, "Islands and bridges in healthcare: the importance of general neurology”. Listen in for insights on the differences in training and practice in ...

The often challenging diagnosis of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) disorders can be explained by suspicious red flags for the key differential diagnoses (mimics) and atypical presentations (chameleons). 

In the latest Editor's Choice paper podcast, PN's podcast editor Dr. Amy Ross Russell interviews Dr Stephen Reddel and Dr Shadi El-Wahsh, both from the Concord Hospital, New South Wales, Australia, and the authors of Neuromuscular jun...

Neuromuscular junction disorders can present in a variety of challenging ways, with the potential to mislead neurologists. Journal editors Prof. Philip Smith and Dr. Geraint Fuller begin with this subject as they talk through the latest issue of Practical Neurology, for December 2024. The conversation moves to neck flexion and brain zaps, reflects on the undiminished importance of "general" neurology, and also touches on maternal e...

The immune system is a recurring feature in the cases discussed in this edition of the Case Reports podcast. The first paper details the cases of two young women, sisters, presenting with overlapping conditions but resulting in tragically different outcomes (1:16). Both were in their twenties, had given birth recently, and developed limb weakness along with several other neurological symptoms. https://pn.bmj.com/content/24/5/422

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"Could this presenting syndrome be caused by a neurotoxin?"

Oftentimes neurologists will pass over toxins when diagnosing. Yet disease caused by neurotoxins is widespread, with many having quite typical syndromes.  In the studio to discuss this is the first author of the October 2024 Editors' Choice paper, Dr. Frederick Vonberg¹. He draws attention to some hobbies and occupations to watch out for, the global prevalence of lead pois...

The surgical sieve and Occam's razor may sound like familiar diagnostic metaphors, but what about Crabtree's bludgeon? These are just a few of the tools touched on by journal editors Prof. Philip Smith and Dr. Geraint Fuller, as they discuss the October 2024 issue of Practical Neurology. They cover recent publications on oligoclonal bands, neurotoxicology, methotrexate, carotid artery disease, epilepsy surgery, and how unsolved cas...

This month's cases both feature sudden onset neurological syndromes. The first case (1:23) is that of a 26-yo Brazilian man who awoke from sleep with weakness in all four limbs. The signs suggest a possibility of Guillain-Barré syndrome or polio. A normal cranial nerve examination follows, with no unusual findings - https://pn.bmj.com/content/24/4/342 

A 69-yo woman is the subject of the second case (14:33), after she presents with...

Genetic testing is a useful tool for any practising neurologist, but they must know how to interpret the results. This Editors' Choice podcast features two experts on the subject, Prof. Mary Reilly¹ and Dr. Christopher Record¹. They're in the studio to talk through their paper, covering the technology of genome sequencing itself, testing strategies, clinical use cases, and the constant changes in this developing field.

Read the pap...

Journal editors Prof. Philip Smith and Dr. Geraint Fuller discuss the August 2024 issue of Practical Neurology, with room for mystery, history and practical advice. In particular, they cover topics like whole genome sequencing, foot surgery for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, safe prescribing in steroids, and fertility treatment for the epileptic. There are also good reasons for dusting off the old optokinetic nystagmus drum, and a to...