MDS Podcast

Cases of late-onset cerebellar ataxias are a challenge for neurologists. In this episode Dr. Orlando Barsottini and Dr. José Luiz Pedroso discuss new advances on the investigation of late-onset cerebellar ataxias and identification of new genes.

Dr. Michele Matarazzo interviews Prof. Hesheng Liu about his recent Nature paper proposing a major conceptual shift: Parkinson’s disease as a somato-cognitive action network (SCAN) disorder. Together they discuss how a large multimodal dataset suggests a characteristic pattern of hyperconnectivity between SCAN cortical areas and subcortical nuclei in Parkinson’s disease, how this signature changes...

In this episode, Dr. Orlando Barsottini and Dr. Bart van de Warrenburg discuss the importance of precise neurological examination and classification of ataxias. The further discuss the rational etiological investigation for cases of ataxia and how to utilize different clinical assessments.

In this episode, Dr. Kirsten Müller-Vahl explores one of the first long-term follow-up studies of mass social media–induced functional tic-like behaviors (MSMI-FTLB). She discusses what their findings mean for clinical counseling, why early diagnosis appears to improve outcomes, how factors such as psychiatric comorbidity and secondary gain influence recovery. She also examines the surprising find...

Dr. Eduardo de Pablo-Fernández is joined by Dr. Susan Fox and Dr. Claudia Trenkwalder to discuss how to improve the current MDS clinical diagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease. Read the article.

Functional dystonia can closely mimic idiopathic dystonia, and objective physiological markers to support the diagnosis are still limited. In this episode, Dr. Michele Matarazzo speaks with Prof. Roberto Eleopra about a pilot study using poly-EMG during a controlled propofol sedation protocol to help differentiate functional from idiopathic dystonia. They discuss the study’s rationale and design,...

A young boy presents with exercise-induced episodic gait disturbance. Dr. Shekeeb Mohammad analyses the clinical phenomenology alongside laboratory and neuroimaging findings, systematically exploring the differential diagnosis before arriving at the final diagnosis.

Dr. Mena Farag joins Dr. Eduardo de Pablo-Fernández to discuss how proenkephalin and other biomarkers can help monitor the earliest stages of Huntington's disease decades before the onset of motor symptoms. Journal CME is available until February 11, 2027 Read the article.

This episode explores shame as an often-overlooked but impactful non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease. Drawing on her team's recent research, Dr. Vanessa Fleury discusses the psychological and clinical determinants of shame, its strong link to quality of life, and why it deserves greater attention in routine care. The conversation highlights how recognizing and addressing shame may open new av...

In this episode, Dr. Alexander Lehn explores the clinical management of Parkinson’s disease across the reproductive journey; before conception, during pregnancy, and in the postpartum period. He shares the current evidence, practical challenges, medication safety considerations, and multidisciplinary decision-making. The conversation highlights gaps in data, real-world clinical strategies, and key...

Dr. Sara Schaefer is joined by Dr. Valentina Leta and Dr. Ray Chaudhuri to discuss their randomized controlled trial on the effects of probiotic use on inflammation, motor, and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Journal CME is available until December 18, 2026 Read the article.

In another installment of the ongoing History Series, Dr. Christopher Goetz joins Dr. Sara Schaefer to discuss the legacy of Jean-Martin Charcot within the fields of medicine medicine, neurology, medical education, and movement disorders.

Dr. Sarah Camargos continues her conversation on palliative in movement disorders by interviewing Mr. Victor McConvey. Together they discuss the current state of palliative care in movement disorders including current barriers, challenges, and future goals.

Differentiating a dystonic head tremor from a head tremor in essential tremor can sometimes be diagnostically challenging. In this episode, Dr. Mitra Afshari interviews Dr. Jung Hwan Shin and Prof. Beomseok Jeon on their investigation into the rhythmicity and sinusoidality of head tremors in cervical dystonia versus essential tremor using simple 2D video recordings. We’ll hear about how their find...

To celebrate the 40th Anniversay of the MDS, Dr. Michele Matarazzo sits down with two key leaders of the MDS Asian Oceanian section, Prof. Carolyn Sue and Prof. Beomseok Jeon. Together they discuss the early years of movement disorder “rock stars,” how the society has changed through their eyes, and impacts it has had on their careers.

Two key leaders of the MDS Pan-American section, Dr. Cynthia Comella and Dr. Oscar Gershanik, discuss how they got involved in the society, what they are most proud of, and what the Society means to them, both professionally and personally.

To celebrate the 40th Anniversay of the MDS, Dr. Sara Schaefer sits down with two key leaders of the MDS European Regional Section, Prof. Marie Vidailhet and Prof. Alberto Albanese. Listen as they share their fond memories of scholarly debate, Congress experiences, and hopes for the future.

Two key leaders of the MDS African Regional section, Dr. Njideka Okubadejo and Dr. Jonathan Carr, discuss their experiences within MDS and what makes them proud to be long-standing members.

In this Hot Topic episode, Dr. Sarah Camargos talks with Prof. Janis Miyasaki about the meaning and benefits of palliative care and how it improves quality of care in movement disorders.

In this episode, Prof. Fanny Mochel discusses the rationale and key findings from a retrospective cohort study of patients with CSF1R-related disorder treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, highlighting the potential of this therapy to achieve both clinical and radiological disease stabilization. Journal CME is available until September 24, 2026 Read the article.

In this episode, Dr. Divyani Garg converses with Prof. Kristina Simonyan on applying the standard alcohol challenge test, in combination with targeted genetic analysis in the GABAergic synapse pathways, in persons with laryngeal dystonia. Together they explore alcohol’s role in laryngeal dystonia, the genetic signatures that may predict responsiveness, and what this could mean for the future of tr...

Dr. Sarah Camargos interviews Dr. Guillaume Cogan and Prof. Alexis Brice, the corresponding authors of the article selected as the Movement Disorders Review of the Year. Listen as their conversation dives into the new sequencing technologies, and the broader diagnosis they bring to the field.

Dr. Michele Matarazzo interviews Dr. Victor Hvingelby, the recipient of this year’s MDJ Research Article of the Year award. Together they discuss the use of PET tracers to assess microglial activation in isolated REM sleep behavior disorder and how these tools can better define prodromal Parkinson’s disease.

Developments in neuroimaging have grown a lot over the years. Dr. Thilo van Eimeren discusses biomarker development, both in tau and alpha synuclein, current research, and his hope for future successes.

Prof. Alessandra Fanciulli discusses how the MDS criteria for the diagnosis of MSA has made an impact on the field, the status of biomarker research, and optimal targets for disease-modifying trials for MSA.