eanCast: Weekly Neurology

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Official neurology podcast of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN). Expert talks on general neurology, stroke, dementia, epilepsy & many more. New episodes every Monday. For neurology residents, clinicians & researchers. A resource for continuing medical education and lifelong learning.

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212 episodes
Updated Sunday

Episodes212

Newest first

March 15 · 36 min
Ep. 192: Movement disorders in children and adults: different or the same?
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.
March 8 · 39 min
Ep. 191: FND in children and adults: different or the same?
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.
March 1 · 20 min
Ep. 190: Parkinson’s disease – more than a movement disorder
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.
February 22 · 45 min
Ep. 189: Red flags of treatable (spino)cerebellar ataxias
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.
February 15 · 32 min
Ep. 188: Red flags of treatable rare myopathies
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.
February 8 · 20 min
Ep. 187: Red flags of treatable rare cerebral small vessels diseases
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.
February 1 · 25 min
Ep. 186: Red flags of treatable mitochondrial disorders
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.
January 25 · 15 min
Ep. 185: Cognition and movement: A dynamic duo
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.
January 18 · 27 min
Ep. 184: Neuromodulation
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.
January 11 · 23 min
Ep. 183: Nerve ultrasound
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.
January 4 · 27 min
Ep. 182: Small Fibre Neuropathy
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.
Dec 28, 2025 · 32 min
Ep. 181: Advancements in CIDP Treatment
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.
Dec 21, 2025 · 31 min
Ep. 180: Cognitive problems in Multiple Sclerosis
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.
Dec 14, 2025 · 16 min
Ep. 179: Language and communication impairment after coma
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.
Dec 7, 2025 · 37 min
Ep. 178: Interpreting emergency EEG in suspected non-convulsive status epilepticus
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.
Nov 30, 2025 · 35 min
Ep. 177: Bridging Insights: Highlights from the EAN Pain and Headache Panels
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.
Nov 23, 2025 · 36 min
Ep. 176: Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: Diagnostic Challenges and Therapeutic Options
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.
Nov 16, 2025 · 24 min
Ep. 175: Acute Ischemic Stroke: Evolving Guidelines and Clinical Decisions
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.
Nov 9, 2025 · 22 min
Ep. 174: Breakthrough Stroke: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Dilemmas
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.
Nov 2, 2025 · 21 min
Ep. 173: Acute Intracerebral Haemorrhage: Modern Management Strategies
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.