NeuroFrontiers

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Guest: Austin Larson, MD

Emerging research on thymidine kinase 2 deficiency (TK2d) provides new insights into its global genetic prevalence and variability across genetic ancestries. By combining clinical literature with large genomic databases, investigators estimated disease incidence using carrier frequency under Hardy-Weinberg assumptions, uncovering significant differences between populations and key pathogenic variants. Joining Dr. Brian McDonough to discuss the findings and their implications for improving diagnostic accuracy and refining genetic testing strategies is Dr. Austin Larson. He's an Associate Professor of Pediatric Clinical Genetics and Metabolism at the University of Colorado Anschutz, and he presented these findings at the 2026 Muscular Dystrophy Association Clinical and Scientific Conference.

Guest: Mark Freedman, HBSc, MSc, MD, CSPQ, FAAN, FRCPC

The role of cell-based therapies in multiple sclerosis (MS) is evolving, with immune system replacement via autologous stem cells, investigational mesenchymal repair strategies, and CAR T-cell approaches changing the treatment landscape. Hear from Dr. Mark Freedman as he dives into current and emerging mechanisms of action, which he also discussed at the 2026 Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) Annual Meeting. Dr. Freedman is a Professor of Medicine in Neurology at the University of Ottawa and a Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.

Guest: Mark Freedman, HBSc, MSc, MD, CSPQ, FAAN, FRCPC

Cxplore how cell-based therapies are reshaping treatment strategies for multiple sclerosis (MS). Hear from Dr. Mark Freedman as he examines the scientific rationale behind emerging strategies. Dr. Freedman is a Professor of Medicine in Neurology at the University of Ottawa and a Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and he spoke about this topic at the 2026 Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) Annual Meeting.

Guest: Aaron Miller, MD

Early real-world experience with the 2024 McDonald criteria suggests a meaningful increase in multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnoses, driven largely by recognition of optic nerve involvement and reclassification of radiologically isolated syndrome. Hear from Dr. Aaron Miller as he reviews emerging evidence, explains how these updates are reshaping diagnostic pathways, and addresses practical challenges in implementation. Dr. Miller is the Medical Director of the Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis and a Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. He also spoke about this topic at the 2026 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting.

Guest: Riley Bove, MD, MMSc

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is often diagnosed during peak reproductive years, making proactive, informed care essential across the lifespan. Hear from Dr. Riley Bove as she discusses the importance of early, ongoing conversations about fertility, pregnancy, and menopause in this population. Dr. Bove is an Associate Professor at UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, and she discussed this topic at the 2026 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting.

Guest: Aaron Miller, MD

Hear from Dr. Aaron Miller as he shares important updates in multiple sclerosis (MS) at the 2026 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting. Dr. Miller is the Medical Director of the Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis and a Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

Guest: Elizabeth Wilson, MD

At the 2026 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, experts are sharing the latest developments in pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS). Dr. Elizabeth Wilson is here to share insights on how new adult MS research, neuro-ophthalmology collaboration, and emerging clinical data are shaping the future of care. Dr. Wilson is the Director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Guest: Raphael Schneider, MD, PhD, FRCPC, CIP

Multiplex proteomic biomarker panels are redefining how we understand and monitor multiple sclerosis (MS) by capturing interconnected pathways in a single sample. Hear from Dr. Raphael Schneider as he explores how these tools could inform prognosis, risk stratification, and clinical trial design, which he spoke about at the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Schneider is a neurologist and researcher at the BARLO MS Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital as well as an Assistant Professor and the Elizabeth S. Barford Early Career Professor in Multiple Sclerosis in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto.

Guest: Jennifer Yang, MD

Emerging evidence shows that children with multiple sclerosis exhibit accelerated biological aging. Learn more about the potential implications with Dr. Jennifer Yang, who spoke about this topic at the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum. She's an Assistant Professor of Neurosciences at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and the Division of Pediatric Neurology at Rady Children's Hospital.

Guest: Adil Harroud, MD

Guest: Dylan Hamitouche

Host: Ryan Quigley

Multimodal aging signatures are reshaping our understanding of progression and prognosis in multiple sclerosis (MS). Host Ryan Quigley sits down with Dr. Adil Harroud and Mr. Dylan Hamitouche to learn more about implications for the future of risk stratification and personalized treatment in MS, a topic they presented on at the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Harroud is a neurologist and the co-leader of the Neuroimmunology Diseases Research Group at the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University. Mr. Hamitouche is a medical student at McGill University.