The Neurotransmitters: Clinical Neurology Education

On this episode of The Neurotransmitters, host Dr. Michael Kentris interviews Dr. Jamie Wright about hydrocephalus, a condition that affects the brain. Dr. Wright shares her personal story of being born with the condition and her journey to becoming a doctor.  They discuss the two main treatment options for hydrocephalus, the shunt and endoscopic third ventriculostomy procedures. Dr. Wright also a...

Many times neurologists are called to evaluate people who aren't waking up after a cardiac arrest.  There are guidelines which help guide the medical field with respect to neurologic prognosis. But what happens to those patients who survive once they leave the hospital?  Dr. Samantha Fernandez shares her unique perspective as both a survivor of a cardiac arrest and as a neurologist and talks...

Come and learn more about apheresis with me! Lori Harada, an experienced nurse trainer for apheresis talks about some of the many applications of this procedure and how it differs from dialysis.  Check out apheresis guidelines at The American Society for Apheresis https://www.apheresis.org/? Find out more about Lori's company at https://www.terumobct.com/ Contact Lori by email at Lori.harada@...

Welcome back to the Neurotransmitters! Today we are talking about spinal cord anatomy. When should you be thinking about a myelopathy (or spinal cord lesion)? Isn't spinal cord anatomy complicated? Join in as we take a lean and practical look at what you need to know to localize clinically! Send us Fan Mail Support the show Check out our website at www.theneurotransmitters.com to sign up for...

The multi-talented Kristin Beale (author, marathoner, fencer, and more) joins me to talk about life after a spinal cord injury (SCI). She discusses her journey, how her life has changed, and common misperceptions people have about those who are living with SCI.  You can find Kristin's website at https://www.kristinbeale.com/ Her blog posts at the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation at htt...

It's back to basics this week with an overview of brainstem anatomy! While the brainstem is a complicated area of the nervous system some key principles can help it to be remembered more easily! Send us Fan Mail Support the show Check out our website at www.theneurotransmitters.com to sign up for emails, classes, and quizzes! Would you like to be a guest or suggest a topic? Email us at contac...

Join me as I have a discussion about Functional Neurologic Disorders with FND Life , the host of "Talking it out about..." where she discusses her life with FND. In this episode we discuss how her symptoms began, what her diagnostic journey looked like, and the treatments that have helped her the most.  Find her podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-it-out-about/id1...

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a relatively rare neurologic disorder that often causes disabling muscle spasms. After Celine Dion recently announced she was diagnosed with SPS it has received significant attention in the news. What do you need to know to answer your patients' questions about this syndrome and to potentially identify it yourself? Today we'll talk about the common symptoms...

Today let's talk a little about some considerations for the patient presenting with an acute ischemic stroke.  I've got a couple of references for you below as well! Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: 2019 Update https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STR.0000000000000211 The Code Stroke Handbook: Approach to the Acute Stroke Patient https://www....

Today we talk about a common issue in hospital neurology. Is it a stroke? There are many things that can mimic a stroke, and vice versa. These stroke "chameleons" can be diagnostically challenging so it's important to keep on alert for signs and symptoms that don't fit the script! References: Distinguishing Between Stroke and Mimic at the Bedside: The Brain Attack Study Stroke....

I'm joined in this episode by Dr. Miesty Woodburn, a neurologist with training in concussion in athletes. We discuss the signs and symptoms of concussion as well as general principles of how to manage symptoms of concussion.  Find me on Twitter @DrKentris or send me an email at theneurotransmitterspodcast@gmail.com If anyone wishes to get in touch with Dr. Woodburn please reach out to me via...

Dr. Bilal Butt, a neuro-critical care physician, joins us to discuss the diagnosis and management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages. Learn common presenting features and complications that may arise during hospitalization. You can reach Dr. Butt by email at:  bilal.butt@som.umaryland.edu University of Maryland Website: https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/Butt-Bilal/ Find me on Twitte...

Zachary Grin, a doctor of physical therapy, joins me to discuss what kinds of physical therapy treatments are available for those dealing with functional neurologic disorders or FND (functional movements/gait/seizures/etc.) and how those differ from more "traditional" approaches to physical therapy. Find Zachary Grin online: His website: https://www.rewire-pt.com/ On Twitter: @ZacharyGri...

Dr. Ethan Meltzer joins me to discuss his new book "How to Think Like a Neurologist," his thoughts on neurology education, and other musings on neurology. Find his excellent new book  "How to Think Like a Neurologist" here: https://amzn.to/3drFyYD Find the artist for the cover art here: https://www.aarondegruyter.com/shop/bifurcation-v-the-beginning-is-the-end You can find Dr....

Join me as I discuss the thought process that goes in to choosing an anti-seizure medication with epileptologist Dr. Rohit Marawar! He gives us some excellent advice in particular regarding anti-seizure medication in the older population.  You can find Dr. Marawar online here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohitmarawar https://neurology.med.wayne.edu/profile/gg8831 Find me on Twitter @DrKentris or...

Developing facial weakness can be very disturbing. Is it a stroke, an infection, something else?! Justin Bieber reports he was recently diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. What is it and how is it different than Bell's palsy? Tune in and find out! Find me on Twitter @DrKentris or send me an email at theneurotransmitterspodcast@gmail.com ----------------------------------------------------- T...

 A podcast about everything neurology! Join us and learn more about common clinical scenarios, the newest studies, challenging clinical cases, and more. Reach out online! You can find me on Twitter @DrKentris or send an email to theneurotransmitterspodcast@gmail.com.  ----------------------------------------------------- The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of any associated orga...

The question of what to do with new onset seizures is a very common one in neurologic practice. Here we'll go through some common questions such as: Was it a seizure?  What can mimic seizures? What kind of evaluation should be done to assess for the risk of a second seizure? Did this podcast answer some of your most common questions about first time seizures? If so, great! If not, what aspect...

I'm joined for a conversation on functional neurologic disorders (FND) by the host of FND Portal, a website and twitter account which provides information about, and advocacy for, FND.  We talk about the various manifestations of FND, challenges the FND community face when seeking help from the healthcare system, and various theories as to the nature of the development of FND.  Find FND Porta...

Dr. Rishanki Jha joins me to discuss an interesting case of a man with memory loss. -------------------------------------------- Find Dr. Jha on twitter @rishanki_j Dr. Jha's book of poetry, "Modern Miseries and My Bottle of Cough Syrup" https://amzn.to/380EUOZ -------------------------------------------- From the Wim Hof website: The Science of the Wim Hof method https://www.wimhof...

Dr. Michael Kentris discusses the mental status portion of the neurologic examination including some tips he's found useful in his clinical assessments. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of any associated organizations. The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not represent specific medical/health advice. Please consult w...

Drs. Michael Kentris and Praveen Venkatachalam talk about the recent report from 46Brooklyn about the strange increase in dimethyl fumarate as well as the overall expensive nature of certain medications used in neurology practice. Wreck-fidera: How Medicare Part D has hidden the benefits of generic competition for a blockbuster Multiple Sclerosis treatment https://www.46brooklyn.com/research/2021/...

Join in on the virtual journal club. Links to articles and books below: Acute epileptiform abnormalities are the primary predictors of post-stroke epilepsy: a matched, case–control study https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/acn3.51534 A Simple Risk Score for Predicting Neurologic Outcome in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients After Targeted Temperature Management https://journals.l...

Dr. Michael Kentris talks about basic first concepts in approaching a neurologic complaint for those who are new to clinical neurology. Lange Clinical Neurology and Neuroanatomy: A Localization-Based Approach https://amzn.to/3uzCyhw The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of any associated organizations. The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes o...

Drs. Ashley Paul and Michael Kentris discuss what is "neurophobia" and what we can do to help educate people about neurology to reduce its prevalence. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of any associated organizations. The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not represent specific medical/health advice. Please consul...