In this special episode, Dr. Daniel Correa thanks Dr. Audrey Nath for her time with the Brain & Life podcast by sharing bonus content from a previous interview with palliative care physician Dr. BJ Miller. Dr. Miller talks about phantom limb pain that can accompany a limb amputation and therapies—such as mirror box therapy—that helped him with his own recovery after losing both legs below the knees and half an arm after an electrocution accident. Next, Dr. Correa sits down with Dr. Vilayanur Subramanian (V.S.) Ramachandran, director of the Center for Brain and Cognition and distinguished professor with the Psychology Department and Neurosciences Program at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Ramachandran explains phantom limb pain and how his team developed mirror box therapy to treat it.

Additional Resources:

• Brain & Life Book Series: Navigating Life with Chronic Pain
• Brain & Life Podcast: BJ Miller on Guiding Chris Hemsworth Through a New Outlook on Life
• Brain & Life: The Power of Accepting Aging

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206, or email us at [email protected].

Social Media:

Guest: BJ Miller @bjmillermd (Twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

This week Dr. Audrey Nath speaks with author, speaker, and podcaster Jackie Stebbins about her experience with autoimmune encephalitis. Jackie shares how the neurologic condition affected her and her family's life, her journey to recovery, and what she is doing to raise awareness about the diagnosis. Next, Dr. Daniel Correa talks with Dr. Gregory Day, a neurologist and specialist in cognitive neurology at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Day shares information about the diagnosis, treatment, and possible causes of autoimmune encephalitis.

Additional Resources:

• https://www.jmstebbins.com/

• Unwillable written by Jackie Stebbins

• Brain & Life Podcast: Susannah Cahalan on Anti-NMDA Encephalitis and Her Journey to Diagnosis

• Brain on Fire written by Susannah Cahalan

• Encephalitis Society

• Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206, or email us at [email protected].

Social Media:

Guest: Jackie Stebbins @jmstebbs (Twitter); Dr. Gregory Day @GDay_Neuro (Twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

This week, Dr. Audrey Nath speaks with David Begnaud, lead national correspondent for CBS Mornings, about his experience of being diagnosed with Tourette syndrome when he was a child. David shares what it was like to navigate tics at a young age, how he learned to embrace them as an adult, and how he is raising awareness to fight the stigma that can accompany the neurologic condition. Next, Dr. Nath sits down with Dr. Michael Okun, executive director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases and professor of neurology at University of Florida Health. Dr. Okun explains what happens in the brain of someone living with Tourette syndrome, various ways the condition can be treated, and what he is hopeful for in the future of therapy development.

[We apologize for some audio issues during this episode, but we feel this is excellent and important information for the community and to raise awareness about Tourette syndrome.]

Additional Resources:

• Tourette syndrome resources from the Brain & Life website and magazine
• What is Tourette syndrome
• Tourette Syndrome Association

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206, or email us at [email protected].

Social Media:

Guest: David Begnaud @DavidBegnaud (Twitter & Instagram); Dr. Michael Okun (@MichaelOkun)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

In this episode Dr. Audrey Nath speaks with Richard Engel, Chief Foreign Correspondent for NBC News, whose son Henry passed away from Rett syndrome, a rare childhood genetic developmental disorder. Richard shares Henry's legacy and his family's experience with the condition. Next Dr. Nath speaks with Dr. Huda Zoghbi professor at Baylor College of Medicine and the director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital. Dr. Zoghbi explains how she discovered the gene that causes Rett syndrome and discusses possibilities for future treatment of the condition.

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/disorders/rett-syndrome

https://www.rettsyndrome.org/

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast? Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206, or email us at [email protected].

This week Dr. Audrey Nath speaks with accomplished powerlifter and personal trainer Javeno McLean about how he became motivated to open a gym where he provides free personal training for people with disabilities. Javeno talks about his passion for improving both the physical and mental health of his clients. Next Dr. Nath sits down with Dr. Gottfried Schlaug, a vascular neurologist and professor of neurology at Baystate Medical Center - UMass Chan Medical School. Dr. Schlaug explains neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to adapt and recover after a brain injury. He also discusses the importance of learning new skills and participating in activities to improve neuroplasticity and overall health of your brain.

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206, or email us at [email protected].

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/14-ways-to-get-motivated-to-exercise

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/studying-brains-of-polyglots-for-insights-about-language

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/stroke/

Social Media:

Guest: Javeno McLean @J7healthJaveno (Twitter & Instagram)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

In this episode Dr. Daniel Correa sits down with Dr. Craig Stark, professor at the University of California, Irvine's Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, to learn more about memory. Dr. Stark shares the basics of how memory works and tips to maximize your brain's memory capability. Dr. Stark also discusses memory habits everyone can incorporate into their own lives.

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206, or email us at [email protected].

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/podcast/marilu-henner-and-the-mysteries-of-memory

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/how-gaming-may-boost-memory

Social Media:

Guest: Dr. Craig Stark @Craig__Stark (twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

In this episode Dr. Daniel Correa speaks with legendary U.S. soccer goalkeeper, Briana Scurry. Briana reflects on her journey as a professional athlete who experienced multiple concussions and how they impacted her physical and mental health. Briana also talks about the treatments and therapies that helped her overcome her brain injury. Next Dr. Correa speaks with Dr. Michael Jaffee, neurologist and professor of neurology at the University of Florida and co-author of the newest addition to the Brain & Life Books Series Navigating the Challenges of Concussion. Dr. Jaffee discusses the different types of concussions and traumatic brain injuries along with the typical progression of symptoms and various treatment protocols.

Additional Resources:

https://www.briscurry.com/

https://www.briscurry.com/my-greatest-save

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/concussion/

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/traumatic-brain-injury/

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/new-brain-life-book-explores-concussion

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/how-sports-neurologists-protect-football-players-brains

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/concussion-symptoms-checklist

Social Media:

Guest: Briana Scurry @BriScurry (Twitter and Instagram); Dr. Michael Jaffee @Michael_Jaffee (Twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

In this episode Dr. Audrey Nath speaks with lawyer, model, and brain tumor advocate Victoria Vesce. Victoria talks about symptoms she experienced that eventually led to her being diagnosed with two non-malignant brain tumors. Victoria shares what her recovery was like after surgery and why it was important for her to get involved with the National Brain Tumor Society. Next Dr. Nath talks with Dr. Justin Jordan, a neurologist and clinical director at Massachusetts General Hospital Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology and assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Jordan discusses nerve cell tumors like Victoria's along with information about clinical trials and the importance of advocacy to support people with neurologic conditions and research funding.

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/lawyer-model-survived-brain-tumors-and-gives-back

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/brain-tumor/

https://braintumor.org/

https://www.abta.org/

https://www.victoriavesce.com/about-me

Social Media:

Guest: Victoria Vesce @victoriavesce (Instagram) @victoriavesce_ (Twitter); Dr. Justin Jordan @jtjordan (Twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

This week Dr. Audrey Nath speaks with Dr. Reeta Achari, a neurologist in private practice and clinical associate professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at McGovern Medical School in Houston. Dr. Achari shares her passion for nutritional neurology and discusses how foundational vitamins, minerals, and whole foods affect the brain.

Additional Resources:

https://tasting-health.com/

https://www.brainandlife.org/the-magazine/online-exclusives/guard-against-stroke-with-these-four-recipes/

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/eating-ultra-processed-foods-may-increase-risk-of-dementia

Social Media: Tasting Health @tastinghealth (Twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

In this episode Dr. Daniel Correa speaks with Emmy nominated filmmaker Michelle Boyaner about her experience as a caregiver for her parents. Michelle also talks about her documentary It's Not A Burden: The Humor and Heartache of Raising Elderly Parents, which highlights experiences of adult children who are caring for their aging parents. Next Dr. Correa talks with Beth Kallmyer, vice president of Care and Support for the Alzheimer's Association. Beth discusses the various resources offered by the Alzheimer's Association and how their programs support people with Alzheimer's and dementia-related diseases as well as their caregivers.

To contact the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline dial 800-272-3900.

Additional Resources:

https://www.itsnotaburden.com/

www.alz.org

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/new-film-honors-caregiving

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/how-women-balance-caregiving-children-careers

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/alzheimers-disease/

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/disorders/dementia

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/disorders/dementia-with-lewy-bodies

Social Media:

Guest: Michelle Boyaner @michelleboyaner (Instagram/Twitter) It's Not a Burden Film @ItsNotABurden (Twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD