In this episode, Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by actor and epilepsy advocate, Greg Grunberg. Greg speaks about his son's journey with epilepsy the importance of sharing his family's experience with others through his partnership with organizations such as the Epilepsy Foundation. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Joseph Sirven, an epileptologist at the Mayo Clinic and editor-in-chief of Brain & Life en Español. Dr. Sirven discusses the future of epilepsy treatment and answers questions from the Brain & Life community.

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/from-hero-to-advocate

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

https://www.epilepsy.com/

https://talkaboutit.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_pYbprYzkg

Social Media:

Guest: Greg Grunberg @greggrunberg

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

This week Dr. Audrey Nath is joined by Peter Frampton to talk about his 2015 diagnosis of inclusion body myositis (IBM). Peter shares how his diagnosis has led him to start his own foundation in partnership with Johns Hopkins University and become passionate about IBM research. He discusses how music helps him manage his condition as he continues to experience mobility changes. Dr. Nath is then joined by Dr. Steven Greenberg, neuromuscular neurologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and professor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Greenberg explains the characteristics of IBM as well as the similarities and differences between other neuromuscular diseases, such as ALS and Sjögren's syndrome.

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/peter-frampton-found-new-purpose-after-inclusion-body-myositis-diagnosis

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/disorders/inclusion-body-myositis

https://www.hopkinsmyositis.org/gift/peter-frampton-myositis-research-fund/

https://www.frampton.com/

Social Media:

Guest: Peter Frampton @peterframpton

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

In this episode, Dr. Nath speaks with Paralympian swimmer Jamal Hill about competing as an athlete in the 2021 Tokyo games. He also shares how being diagnosed with Charcot- Marie-Tooth has shaped his tenacious spirit and athletic discipline. Dr. Nath is then joined by Dr. Reza Seyedsadjadi, director of Massachusetts General Hospital's Charcot-Marie-Tooth Center of Excellence and neurology professor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Seyedsadjadi speaks about genetic components of the condition and provides additional information about physical therapy and coping strategies.

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/swimmer-charcot-marie-tooth-disease-paralympian

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/disorders/charcot-marie-tooth-disease https://www.swimuphill.org/

https://www1.rarediseasesnetwork.org/cms/inc/

Social Media:

Guest: @swimuphill

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

This week Dr. Correa is joined by Matt and Kanlaya Cauli, who share Kanlaya's story of experiencing two massive strokes in May 2020 before being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Matt describes his journey of learning to be Kanlaya's caretaker and shares his advice for coping with mental health struggles and the challenges of being a primary caregiver. Dr. Correa then speaks with Dr. Olajide Williams, vascular neurologist at Columbia University and founder of Hip-Hop Public Health. Dr. Williams explains the different types of stroke and the condition's prevalence in younger individuals.

Additional Resources:

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

https://www.thededicatedcaregiver.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thededicatedcaregiver?lang=en

https://www.gofundme.com/f/fighting-with-kanlaya

https://hhph.org/

Social Media:

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

This week Dr. Nath is joined by Beth Usher and her parents, Brian and Kathy, to talk about her childhood diagnosis of Rasmussen's encephalitis and the resulting hemispherectomy, a surgery to remove half her brain, that has earned her a spot in medical history. Beth shares her memories from that time and how she has used humor and laughter to remain positive throughout her journey, including a friendship with Mister Rogers. Her parents share what it was like to witness the effects of Rasmussen's encephalitis on their young daughter and to make such a dramatic treatment decision on Beth's behalf. Dr. Nath is then joined by Dr. James Riviello, associate section head for epilepsy, neurophysiology, and neurocritical care at Texas Children's Hospital. Dr. Riviello describes his experience treating Rasmussen's encephalitis and explains how a hemispherectomy can successfully treat the condition.

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/disorders/rasmussen-s-encephalitis

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/as-a-child-beth-usher-had-half-her-brain-removed/

https://www.brainandlife.org/the-magazine/online-exclusives/speak-uphow-mister-rogers-saved-my-life/

https://www.aath.org/

http://www.hemifoundation.org

http://www.brainrecoveryproject.org

Social Media:

Guest: Beth Usher

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

In this episode, Dr. Nath sits down with actor RJ Mitte to discuss his experience in the entertainment industry as an individual with cerebral palsy. RJ also shares his journey in finding confidence despite the bullying that he endured throughout his childhood. Dr. Nath then speaks with Dr. Peter Raffalli, pediatric neurologist and director of Boston Children's Hospital Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention and Advocacy Collaborative, and Dr. Elizabeth Barkoudah, co-director of Boston Children's Hospital Cerebral Palsy and Spasticity Center. Drs. Raffalli and Barkoudah speak about bullying in the cerebral palsy community and provide coping strategies for those experiencing it and tips for parents and educators.

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/cerebral-palsy/

https://www.childrenshospital.org/programs/bullying-and-cyberbullying-prevention-and-advocacy-collaborative-bacpac-program

Social Media:

Guest: @rjmitte

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

This episode highlights people in our community living with multiple sclerosis (MS). First up, Dr. Nath is joined by author, photographer, and founder of CI Goddess, Lisa Cohen. Lisa discusses her book, Overcome the BS of MS: A 3-step Plan for Women Living with Multiple Sclerosis, as well as her upcoming project, Wear Your Red Lipstick. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dan and Jennifer Digmann, a married couple who both live with MS. The Digmanns discuss how they met, how they rely on each other's strengths to care for one another, and share tips on feeling empowered in sharing their MS journey.

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/multiple-sclerosis/

Lisa Cohen:

Books- Overcome the BS of MS: A 3-step Plan for Women Living with Multiple Sclerosis

Website- https://cigoddess.com/

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/lisa-cohen-50-once-managed-indie-music-groups-now-shes/

Dan and Jennifer Digmann:

Book- Despite MS, to Spite MS

Website- http://acoupletakesonms.com/

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/interabled-couples-share-how-their-relationships-work

Social Media:

Guest: Lisa Cohen @cigoddessgram

Guests: Dan and Jennifer Digmann @DanJenDig

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

In this episode, Dr. Nath is joined by journalist and New York Times bestselling author, Susannah Cahalan. Susannah recounts her journey as one of the earliest individuals to be diagnosed with anti-NMDA encephalitis and speaks about the writing of her memoir Brain on Fire. Dr. Nath is then joined by Dr. Josep Dalmau, professor at the Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies at the University of Barcelona and adjunct professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Dalmau shares how he and his colleagues discovered anti-NMDA encephalitis and the future of treatment options for patients.

Additional Resources:

https://www.susannahcahalan.com/

https://www.aan.com/research/patient-service-award-recipients

Social Media:

Guest: Susannah Cahalan @suscahalan

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

Dr. Nath speaks with comedian Josh Blue about growing up with cerebral palsy and his efforts to use comedy to erase the stigma around his condition. Dr. Nath is then joined by Dr. Bhooma Aravamuthan, assistant professor of neurology at Washington State University School of Medicine, who shares information about new diagnostic and treatment possibilities for cerebral palsy.

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/cerebral-palsy/

https://www.hopeforhie.org/

https://cprn.org/

Social Media:

Guest: @joshbluecomedy

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

In part two of Dr. Correa's conversation with George Lopez, George speaks about the fear of seeking medical care in his family and in the wider culture and his effort to make changes to his diet to benefit his long-term health. Dr. Correa continues his conversation with Dr. Anne Louise Oaklander, associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Nerve Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, to discuss causes of neuropathy, including genetic contributors, and strategies for live better despite neuropathy.

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/the-magazine/december-january-2021

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/peripheral-neuropathy/

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/plant-based-diet-may-protect-against-stroke

https://georgelopezfoundation.org/

https://neuropathycommons.org/

Social Media:

Guest: @georgelopez

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