The Brain Podcast

Brain

A fascinating, informative and digestible podcast highlighting the rich and diverse neuroscience published in the Brain journals.
The episodes will take the format of interviews with article authors and the aim is to produce an informal and enjoyable podcast that appeals to a broad audience including clinicians, researchers, students, neuroscientists, neurologists, neurosurgeons and psychiatrists

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20 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes20

Newest first

Wednesday · 25 min
Propionic acid in Multiple Sclerosis: could a short chain fatty acid improve neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration?
Welcome to the 37th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with first author Dr Tobias Moser of the Brain article entitled: Propionic acid in multiple sclerosis: a phase 2b, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial We discuss the Multiple sclerosis And DisAbility Improvement (MADAI) trial - a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-centre, phase 2b study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of propionic acid as an add-on therapy in adults with clinically stable multiple sclerosis. Results show a significant impact on serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) outcomes as well as physical and cognitive performance measures. Both relapsing-remitting and primary progressive MS was considered in this trial and the authors discuss how proprionic acid may affect neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the July 2026 issue (editors choice): https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awag099 This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Xin You Tai and Alasdair Coles, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
June 24 · 22 min
Distinct brain atrophy patterns in anti-IgLON5 disease
Welcome to the 36th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with senior author Dr Carsten Finke of the Brain article entitled: Brain atrophy patterns in anti-IgLON5 disease We discuss a fascinating article which examines clinical and imaging data related to anti-Iglon5 disease. This valuable contribution to our understanding of this rare disease comprises data collected across multiple sites. Results identified distinct atrophy patterns in anti-IgLON5 disease, which closely mirror sites of pathophysiologic processes, including autoantibody binding and tau deposition. Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the March 2026 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf256 This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Michael and Adam Handel, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
April 22 · 29 min
Targeting lipid droplets in FUS-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mitigates neuronal and astrocytic lipotoxicity
Welcome to the 35th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with first author Dr Laetitia Marcadet and senior author Chantelle F Sephton of the Brain article entitled: Targeting lipid droplets in FUS-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mitigates neuronal and astrocytic lipotoxicity. We discuss the interest concept of abnormal cellular energy metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and, more broadly, across other neurodegenerative and neurological conditions. The authors outline their combined model of neuronal and, more uniquely, astrocytic compartments to identify response to lipid droplet targeting. Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the Feb 2026 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf404 This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Roberto Bellanti and Andreas Thermisticleous, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
February 18 · 25 min
Brain connectivity as a new target for Alzheimer's disease therapy?
Welcome to the 34th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with first author Dr Lorenzo Pini of the Brain article entitled: Brain connectivity as a new target for Alzheimer's disease therapy? We discuss a fascinating review into the literature examing brain connectivity in Alzheimer's disease as a biomarker for symptom progression, diagnosis and monitoring response to treatment. Further, they discuss whether brain stimulation to target connectivity may have therapeutic opportunities. The article also features a discussion around digital twins to facilitate Alzheimer's research - well worth a read! Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the Feb 2026 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf404 This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Michael and Adam Handel, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
January 14 · 27 min
Models matter: human-specific roles of POU3F2 and Wnt Signalling in neurodevelopment
Welcome to the 33rd episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with first author Dr Courtney R Benoit and senior author Associate Professor Tracy L Young-Pearse of the Brain article entitled: POU3F2 regulates canonical Wnt signalling via SOX13 and ADNP to expand the neural progenitor population We discuss a complex but important topic examining underlying mechanisms of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, specifically the regulation of canonical Wnt signalling pathway. The authors describe how two autism-related genes, ADNP and POU3F2, are linked through loss-of-function mutations in the transcription factor POU3F2 and how this may contribute to abnormal neurodevelopment. Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the December 2025 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf221 This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Chaitra Sathyaprakash and Andreas Thermistocleous, edited and produced by Chaitra and Xin You Tai, co-produced by Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
Nov 26, 2025 · 22 min
Neurotransmitter-informed connectivity maps and predicting stroke functional outcome
Welcome to the 32th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with first author Dr Philipp J Koch of the Brain article entitled: Neurotransmitter-informed connectivity maps and their application for outcome inference after stroke We discuss a fascinating method to map neurotransmitter-informed brain network maps. From here, the authors examine two separate stroke cohorts and examine the degree of lesion-related disruption of these neurotransmitter connectomes. Of note, disproportionately high damage to dopamine-transporter–weighted networks consistently predicted worse functional recovery. This may lead to exciting therapeutic avenues. Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the November 2025 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf185 This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Michael and Adam Handel, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
Oct 22, 2025 · 22 min
Do seizures drive the neuropathology of dementia? Insights from a post-mortem study
Welcome to the 31th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with first author Dr Ifrah Zawar of the Brain article entitled: The association of seizure control with neuropathology in dementia We discuss an impressive post-mortem investigation of the link between seizures and the associated neuropathology of dementia. Higher tau and beta-amyloid burden is associated with Alzheimer's disease and also other forms of dementia. Listen as Dr Zawah discusses how seizures may drive neurodegeneration and that this, in turn, may lead to worse seizures and cognitive difficulties. This is an under-recognised and important problem in the clinical management of dementia. Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the July 2025 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf017 This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Xin You Tai and Roberto Bellanti, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
Sep 25, 2025 · 25 min
Investigating autoimmune mechanisms underlying progressive supranuclear palsy
Welcome to the 30th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with senior author Professor Gabor G Kovacs of the Brain article entitled: Midbrain cytotoxic T cells as a distinct neuropathological feature of progressive supranuclear palsy Listen to the fascinating insights exploring the autoimmune side of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) following identification of cytotoxic T cells within the mid-brain of PSP post-mortem tissue. The pattern of T cells appears to follow both temporal progression of underlying PSP and may also relate to rate of disease progression. Professor Kovacs discusses potential autoimmune treatment in a neurodegenerative disorder, such as PSP, and others. Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the August 2025 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf135 This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by David Michael and Adam Handel, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
Aug 20, 2025 · 20 min
Can transcriptional analysis detect efficient remyelination in multiple sclerosis?
Welcome to the 29th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with first author of the Brain article entitled: Distinct transcriptional changes distinguish efficient and poor remyelination in multiple sclerosis We are joined by Alida Chen for an interesting discussion into detecting transcriptional changes that may identify efficient remyelination in multiple sclerosis. Using brain bank donor tissue, the authors examine donors who show efficient remyelination compared with those who had poorly remyelinating lesions. They discuss interesting findings around the epithelial–mesenchymal transition pathway as well as the MTORC1 signalling pathway. Further, the team discusses how these findings may translate to in vivo understanding of efficient remyelination in patients with MS as well as other experimental models that may help elucidate this. Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the June 2025 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae414 This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Chaitra Sathyaprakash and Andreas Thermistocleous, edited and produced by Chaitra and Xin You Tai, co-produced by Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
Jun 25, 2025 · 36 min
Nephrology Meets Neurology: how kidney health links to neurodegeneration
Welcome to the 28th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with three authors of the Brain article entitled: The relationship between kidney health and neurodegenerative diseases Ms Melody Zuo, Dr Le Chang and Professor Sarah A Gagliano Taliun grace the Brain podcast with an insightful discussion into their recent review examining the connection between kidney disease and neurogeneration. They describe the critical microvascular connection as well as the role of uraemia and small molecules like erythropoetin. Additonally, methodological issues around survival bias, the use of mendelian randomisation and the importance of metadata in the growing age of large available datasets. Check out the full article on the Brain website and will be part of the August 2025 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf113 This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Chaitra Sathyaprakash and Andreas Thermistocleous, edited and produced by Chaitra and Xin You Tai, co-produced by Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
May 14, 2025 · 24 min
Understanding traumatic brain injury with high dimensional proteomic analysis
Welcome to the 27th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with first author Dr Lucia M Li of the Brain article entitled: High-dimensional proteomic analysis for pathophysiological classification of traumatic brain injury Listen to the fascinating insights into classifying traumatic brain injury (TBI) using high dimensional proteomic analysis. TBI may start with a head injury but evidence suggests that multiple different underlying pathophysiological pathways can emerge thereafter. Dr Li also describes how she envisages the future of TBI assessment and potential management. Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the March 2025 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae305 This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by David Michael and Adam Handel, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
Apr 16, 2025 · 32 min
Glymphatic homeostasis in heart failure- more in but not out?
Welcome to the 26th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with first author Dr Marios Kritsilis and senior author Associate Professor Iben Lundgaard of the Brain article entitled: Loss of glymphatic homeostasis in heart failure This academic duo from Lund University discuss their fascinating findings exploring glymphatic homeostasis in a mouse model of heart failure. Counter-intuitively, there may be more influx but not efflux associated with reduced ejection fraction. This has interesting implications on heart failure associated cognitive changes and risk of developing dementia. Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the March 2025 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae411 This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Xin You Tai and Roberto Bellanti, co-produced by Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
Feb 27, 2025 · 21 min
Adult congenital myasthenic syndromes - discussing the diagnostic dilemma and other findings from a longitudinal cohort
Welcome to the 25th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with senior author Dr Tanya Stojkovic of the Brain article entitled: Congenital myasthenic syndromes in adults: clinical features, diagnosis and long-term prognosis Dr Stojkovic discusses findings from an impressive longitudinal adult cohort of congenital myasthenia syndrome and important issues around accurate diagnosis of congenital myasthenic syndromes and use of electromyography and muscle biopsy. Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the November 2024 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae124 This episode was co-hosted by David Michael and Roberto Bellanti, edited and produced by Xin You Tai, co-produced by Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
Jan 22, 2025 · 38 min
Nociceptors are functionally male or female: from mouse to monkey to man?
Welcome to the first episode of 2025 for The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with senior author Dr Frank Porreca of the Brain article entitled: Nociceptors are functionally male or female: from mouse to monkey to man? Dr Porreca discusses important findings into the sexual dimorphic nature of nociception and how it could and indeed should affect clinical trial participant design, precision medicine and need for more sex specific studies to unravel the regulation of pain nociception in male and female individuals. Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the December 2024 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae179 This episode was co-hosted by Chaitra Sathyaprakash and Andreas Thermistocleous, edited and produced by Chaitra and Xin You Tai, co-produced by Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
Dec 11, 2024 · 28 min
Academic neurology in the UK: a plea to turn away from the precipice
Welcome to the 23nd episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. In this episode, we bring on authors Dr Helen Devine and Professor Simon Mead to discuss their opinion article entitled: Academic neurology in the UK: a plea to turn away from the precipice. The discussions covers the growing concerns regarding the future of academic neurology in the UK and potential solutions. They discuss the parallels seen around the world as this is a growing global problem. They end with their thoughts on why academic neurology is still extremely rewarding and exactly what they would do if they started again. Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the July 2024 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae151 This episode was co-hosted by Andreas Thermistocleous and Adam Handel, edited and produced by Andreas Thermistocleous and Xin You Tai, co-produced by Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
Oct 16, 2024 · 27 min
Can Epilepsy surgery improve or even reverse cognitive deficits in children with epilepsy?
Welcome to the 22nd episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with senior author Dr Torsten Baldeweg of the Brain article entitled: Long-term neuropsychological trajectories in children with epilepsy: does surgery halt decline? Dr Baldeweg discusses fascinating insight into the long term cognitive outcomes from an impressively large cohort of 500 children who had undergone epilepsy surgery and neuropsychological assessment at Great Ormond Street Hospital (1990–2018). Their findings suggest that there are long term cognitive benefits from epilepsy surgery by preventing firther seizures. This has important clinical implications on the importance of achieving seizure freedom for our patients and the role of surgery in this regard. The Brain podcast team is very happy to introduce a new co-host Dr Roberto Bellanti in this episode and to the team! Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the August 2024 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae121 This episode was co-hosted by Michael David and Roberto Bellanti, edited and produced by Chaitra and Xin You Tai, co-produced by Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
Aug 14, 2024 · 34 min
Anti-IgLon5 disease risk is mediated by HLA-DQB1*05 subtypes: when neuroimmunology meets neurodegeneration
Welcome to the 21th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with the first author Dr Selina Yogeshwar of the Brain article entitled: HLA-DQB1*05 subtypes and not DRB1*10:01 mediates risk in anti-IgLON5 disease Dr Yogeshwar offers exciting insight into the genetic mechanisms of a relatively recently discovered disease anti-IgLON5. She also discusses foundational information into how neuroimmunology, neurogenetics and neurodegeneration intersect in this fascinating condition. This exciting episode is not to be missed! Check out the full article on the Brain website: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae048 This episode was co-hosted by Adam Handel and Chaitra Sathyaprakash, edited and produced by Chaitra and Xin You Tai, co-produced by Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
Jun 20, 2024 · 25 min
The essential Role of PAK2 in Myelinating the Peripheral Nervous System
Welcome to the 20th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with the final author Dr Jun Li of the Brain article entitled: PAK2 is necessary for myelination in the peripheral nervous system How are peripheral nerve cells myelinated and what proteins are invoved? Is there a difference between PAK1 and PAK2? Listen for this and more in this exciting episode. Check out the full article on the Brain website: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awad413 This episode was co-hosted by Andreas Thermistocleous and David Michael, edited and produced by David and Xin You Tai, co-produced by Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
May 15, 2024 · 29 min
How is the gut microbiota related to cognition and hippocampal neurogenesis in Alzheimer's disease?
Welcome to the 18th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with first author author Dr Stefanie Grabrucker of the Brain article entitled: Microbiota from Alzheimer's patients induce deficits in cognition and hippocampal neurogenesis How does lifestyle and the environment affect cognition in Alzheimer's disease via the gut and what can we do about it? Listen for this and more in this exciting episode. Check out the full article on the Brain website: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awad303 This episode was co-hosted by Chaitra Sathyaprakash and Adam Handel, edited and produced by Chaitra and Xin You Tai, co-produced by Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.
Apr 3, 2024 · 22 min
Do noradrenergic alterations in Parkinson's disease indicate a therapeutic target? A combined PET & neuromelanin MRI study
Welcome to the 17th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. This episode features a discussion with senior author Dr Bénédicte Ballanger of the Brain article entitled: Noradrenergic alterations in Parkinson's disease: a combined 11C-yohimbine PET/neuromelanin MRI study Can this multi-modal study examining the role of Noradrenaline in Parkinson's disease offer insight into important neurotrasmitter pathophysiology and provide the basis for a non-dopamine therapeutic strategy? Check out the full article on the Brain website: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awad338 This episode was co-hosted by Andreas Themistocleous and Michael David, edited and produced by Michael David and Xin You Tai, co-produced by Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.