Importance & Benefits of Early Diagnosis Dec 30, 2022

Host: Marc E. Agronin, MD
Guest: Richard S. Isaacson, MD

This series of bite-sized episodes contains important information you need to navigate the evolving world of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. Dr. Marc Agronin and Dr. Richard Isaacson discuss the recent advances in AD and provide practical approaches for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Investigating the Adoption of Behavioral Health Integration Jul 02, 2020

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Kathleen Blake, MD, MPH
Guest: Peggy Chen, MD

Behavioral health integration has proven to be an effective solution to improving access to treatment for many mental health conditions… So why is it not more prevalent in the medical community? Joining Dr. Jennifer Caudle to dive into the findings and implications of the joint AMA-RAND Corporation study recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine are Dr. Kathleen Blake with the AMA and Dr. Peggy Chen from the RAND Corporation.

And, click here to listen to a conversation regarding Behavioral Health Integration and its effect on clinical practice.

Keys to Avoiding an Adrenoleukodystrophy Misdiagnosis Feb 06, 2020

Host: Mario R. Nacinovich, Jr., MSc
Guest: Paul Orchard, MD

Although it only affects about one in 18,000 people, the impacts of adrenoleukodystrophy cannot be underestimated. That’s why Dr. Paul Orchard joins Mario Nacinovich to talk about this rare—and fatal—genetic disease, why it’s often underdiagnosed and confused with other conditions, and how we can treat it once we’ve reached an accurate diagnosis.

Strategies for Success: Exercising Our Mental Muscle Jun 06, 2019

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Guest: Kisma Orbovich

Improvement is something we’re all constantly chasing, whether it’s in the form of a promotion, a bigger house, or maybe even an ideal weight. So why do we often fail miserably at these attempts to make our lives better?

To get to the bottom of this dilemma, Dr. Brian McDonough is joined by Kisma Orbovich, the CEO of Illumination Academy, to reveal the secret to true success and how gratitude may just be the lifehack we’ve been searching for.

The Lasting Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Fighting the Lifelong Battle May 31, 2019

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Guest: Teresa Gil, PhD

Since about 21 million mothers in America experienced sexual abuse in their childhood, there’s a good chance that some of these women are our patients. So as their physicians, how can we provide them with the best possible care as they continue to cope with the lifelong effects of sexual abuse? That’s what Dr. Brian McDonough explores with Dr. Teresa Gil, author of Women Who Were Sexually Abused as Children: Mothering, Resilience, and Protecting the Next Generation.

Bits from “Bullets and Brains”: Houston, We Have a (Health) Problem Apr 11, 2019

Host: Andrew Wilner, MD, FACP, FAAN

As a follow-up to the Microgravity: A New Risk Factor for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension essay he wrote back in 2012, Dr. Andrew Wilner investigates whether there have been any updates on the 27 astronauts who had significant microgravity exposure.

Bits from “Bullets and Brains”: The Challenge of Healing After a Headshot Apr 11, 2019

Host: Andrew Wilner, MD, FACP, FAAN

Even with quick thinking and timely action, the chances of a neurosurgeon being able to do more than taking out the bullet, administering antibiotics, and stopping the bleeding isn’t likely, and surviving a bullet to the brain can unfortunately be just the beginning of a patient’s struggles. Focusing on the title story of his book Bullets and Brains, Dr. Andrew Wilner discusses the serious aftermath congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords experienced while recovering from a headshot.

Delirium: The Hidden Disorder Plaguing ICU Patients Feb 19, 2019

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Wes Ely, MD, MPH

After surviving a critical illness, many patients look forward to their lives returning to normal, but unfortunately, that’s not always possible.

To uncover the far-reaching impacts of delirium, Dr. Matt Birnholz is joined by Dr. Wes Ely, Professor of Medicine and Co-Director of the Center for Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction and Survivorship Center at Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine which focuses on improving the lives and care of patients in the intensive care unit to ensure both physical and cognitive rehabilitation.

IQ vs. EQ: Is Emotional Intelligence Just as Important? Jan 18, 2019

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Guest: David Neagle

Is it possible that our environment and experiences have subconsciously programmed our emotional response to the world around us? Joining Dr. Brian McDonough is David Neagle, author of The Millions Within: Tips to Improve Emotional Intelligence, to offer advice on what impacts our emotional intelligence and the changes we can implement to strengthen our own.

Produced in cooperation with:

Fight or Flight: Understanding Our Body's Response to Adrenaline Aug 21, 2018

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

In a time when humans walked among wild animals, the fight-or-flight response could've been the difference between eating dinner or being dinner. Today, however, the effect of this stress could be much more problematic for our society. In a review of his findings, Dr. Pratha Dutta joins Dr. Brian McDonough to focus on how our body and immune system react to sympathetic activation and what this might mean for some of your patients.

Beauty in the Broken Places: Memoir of Love, Faith, and Resilience Jul 27, 2018

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Guest: Allison Pataki

Five months pregnant, on a flight headed for Hawaii, Allison Pataki's life took a sudden turn when she witnessed her husband, Dave Levy, lose consciousness. After an emergency landing and evaluation, Levy was found to have had suffered a rare stroke.

When he woke the next day, he had amnesia, leaving the young couple holding onto hope for recovery. True to form, Pataki began to write letters to her husband—letters that became the foundation for Beauty in the Broken Places: A Memoir of Love, Faith, and Resilience.

FDA Warns of Serious Immune Reaction with Seizure/BPD Medicine Lamotrigine (Lamictal) May 04, 2018

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that the medicine lamotrigine (Lamictal) for seizures and bipolar disorder can cause a rare but very serious reaction that excessively activates the body’s infection-fighting immune system. This can cause severe inflammation throughout the body and lead to hospitalization and death, especially if the reaction is not diagnosed and treated quickly.

A link to the full communication detailing specific information for health care professionals and a list of FDA-approved GBCAs can be found at www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety

Released 4/25/2018

Detecting Depression: How to Assess Patients & the Benefits of TMS Treatment Apr 30, 2018

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

With a wide spectrum of symptoms, treating depression often becomes frustrating—not only for the patient, but for the primary care physician as well. Joining Dr. Brian McDonough is Dr. Paul Gross, founder of the TMS Center of Lehigh Valley, to address the difficulties of properly identifying depression. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Green also exposes the impactful therapy Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), which has been linked to improving other diseases beyond depression.

High Price: How A Neuroscientist's Journey of Self-Discovery is Challenging Society's Perception on Drugs Feb 19, 2018

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Guest: Carl Hart, MD

Carl Hart, who grew up in one of Miami’s toughest neighborhoods, escaped a life of crime and drugs and avoided becoming one of the crack addicts he now helps treat as the Chair of the Department of Psychology at Columbia University. His landmark, controversial research is redefining our understanding of addiction and demonstrates how personal experience and scientific study can inform and validate each other for a deeper understanding of human behavior and addiction.

Host Dr. Maurice Pickard talks with Dr. Hart, author of the book High Price, about the relationship between drugs and pleasure, choice, and motivation, both in the brain and in society. They explore how his research sheds new light on common ideas about race, poverty, and drugs, and explain why current policies are failing.

Dr. Bennett Omalu on the Dangers of Concussions and CTE Jan 19, 2018

Host: Shira Johnson, MD
Guest: Bennett Omalu, MD

Many studies have demonstrated long-lasting and even permanent brain damage that can originate from just one concussion. With athletes suffering multiple repeated head traumas due to high-contact sports, the controversies over player safety and long-term health risks remain hot-button issues.

Pathologist Dr. Bennett Omalu coined the term "CTE" and published the first evidence for chronic traumatic encephalopathy after autopsying American football players. In this second of a two-part interview, he shares his perspectives on CTE in athletes and the lifelong dangers of contact sports.

The Autopsy that Changed American Sports: Dr. Bennett Omalu and the Story of CTE Jan 19, 2018

Host: Shira Johnson, MD
Guest: Bennett Omalu, MD

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease found in athletes, military veterans, and others who experience repetitive brain trauma. Pathologist Dr. Bennett Omalu coined the term "CTE" and published the first evidence for this condition after autopsying American football players.

Host Dr. Shira Johnson welcomes Dr. Omalu to share the story of his discovery and the medical, athletic, and public responses that followed.

Beyond Medication: Treatment Options for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Dec 11, 2017

Host: David Weisman, MD

It is estimated that approximately 30% of epilepsy patients are drug-resistant, meaning their seizures do not successfully respond to anti-seizure medications. What other treatment options are available to patients who aren’t responding to medication?

Host Dr. David Weisman chats with Dr. Lara Marcuse, Co-Director of Mount Sinai Epilepsy Center, about new and emerging treatment options for epilepsy.

Concussions and Blast Injuries in War: How to Protect our Military Personnel Dec 11, 2017

Host: Andrew Wilner, MD, FACP, FAAN

There is still a great deal to learn about the long term effects of blast injuries on military personnel. Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to a blast can produce both overt and subtle neurological consequences in the brain, but much remains unknown.

Host Dr. Andrew Wilner is joined by Dr. Jack Tsao, Director of Traumatic Brain Injury Programs for the US Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and Professor of Neurology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He is a Captain in the United States Navy, and an expert in detection and prevention of traumatic brain injury in active duty military personnel.

Altering the Collision Course: Protective Effects of Omega-3 Intake on Concussions Dec 05, 2017

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

There is nearly a 20% chance that each of us will suffer a concussion this year. More concerning yet, over 30% of those concussions will lead to a long-term, potentially permanent disability. Many studies have explored how the use of Omega-3 fatty acids may add some measure of resilience within the brain to withstand injury in those at significant risk.

Host Dr. Brian McDonough chats with Dr. Michael Lewis, founder of the nonprofit Brain Health Education and Research Institute about how the utilization of Omega-3 fatty acids may facilitate the concussion healing process and relieve symptoms.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Risk Factors: Environmental and Genetic Components Nov 17, 2017

Host: Paul Rokuskie

Scientists have been doing research into many areas of autism spectrum disorder in the hopes of explaining the doubling of its prevalence rate over the past decade.

Both environmental risk factors and genetic components are areas of intense scrutiny for researchers seeking to understand the root causes of autism.

Host Paul Rokuskie talks with Craig Newschaffer, Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Director of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, about the risk factors for autism spectrum disorder that scientists are working to better define.

Neuromodulation Therapy: Emerging Treatment Option for Epilepsy Beyond Medication Nov 17, 2017

Host: Andrew Wilner, MD, FACP, FAAN

While most people with epilepsy are treated with medications, other modalities such as surgery, diet, and neuromodulation are often necessary. Since the FDA approval of the vagus nerve stimulator in 1997, there has been a growing interest in neuromodulation. A second, more sophisticated device, the responsive neurostimulator, received FDA approval in 2013.

Host Andrew Wilner talks with Dr. Robert Fisher, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Sandford Epilepsy Center at Stanford University about the role of neuromodulation therapy for treatment of epilepsy.

Sharing Tools and Assessments for Suicide Prevention Worldwide Oct 27, 2017

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 44,193 Americans die by suicide each year. The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) has been developed as a means of helping users identify whether someone is at risk for suicide, assessing the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauging the level of support that the person needs.

Host Dr. Brian McDonough talks with Dr. Kelly Posner Gerstenhaber, Founder and Director of the Columbia Lighthouse Project who disseminates the C-SSRS worldwide as a tool for suicide prevention.

Expert Debate: The Ethics of Consumer Genetic Testing Oct 16, 2017

Host: David Weisman, MD
Guest: John Khoury, MD

For the first time, the FDA has approved a direct-to-consumer genetic test from 23andme that will inform patients if they are predisposed to diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer's, and Celiac Disease among others.

Proponents applaud this decision, saying this will allow for people to know their genetic health risks and be more proactive about their health. Others argue that this information doesn’t tell the whole story since predisposition doesn't reflect someone's ultimate risk or likelihood of developing a disease. What are the benefits and liabilities of consumers' access to genetic testing?

Host Dr. David Weisman, Director of Clinical Trials at Abington Neurological Associates, sits down with Dr. John Khoury, Associate Director at Abington Memorial Hospital Sleep Disorders Center, to debate the merits and pitfalls of direct-to-consumer genetic testing.

Environmental Risk Factors Affecting Autism Spectrum Disorder Rates Oct 08, 2017

Host: Paul Rokuskie

Over the past two decades, the world has seen a dramatic rise of individuals being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. For decades scientists and medical professionals have been researching various aspects of this disease to uncover genetic and environmental factors explaining this rapid increase in prevalence; however, discovering definitive clues to causality has proven elusive.

Host Paul Rokuskie talks with Dr. Craig Newschaffer, Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Director of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute about the latest research findings into environmental factors affecting autism risk.

Studies in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Paradox of Conflicting Results Sep 23, 2017

Host: Paul Rokuskie

Researchers have been challenged for years by the simultaneous results of numerous studies into brain network connections in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Some results show strong connections, while others suggest the opposite. New research has helped bring some clarity to this ongoing paradox.

Host Paul Rokuskie is joined by Dr. Benjamin Yerys, a child psychologist in the Center for Autism Research (CAR) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. They talk about how it’s possible to see conflicting results and, paradoxically, for both to be true.

Millennials & Mental Health: A Generation Wrestling with Depression & Anxiety Sep 06, 2017

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Millennials report higher incidence and prevalence rates of depression than any previous generation. Why is this, and what can be done to help these patients?

Host Brian McDonough speaks with Dr. John Huber, Chairman for Mainstream Mental Health, about the reasons why millennials are struggling with depression and anxiety, and tips for helping these patients handle the unique stressors in life they are facing.

Rapid Eye Movement:The Gateway to New Insights in Autism? Sep 06, 2017

Host: Paul Rokuskie

Autism Spectrum Disorder affects communication skills as well as emotional & social development. Researchers have been studying the brain for decades to better understand how these developmental differences manifest as autism. Recent studies that measure rapid eye movement (REM) have been showing great promise in elucidating the origins and mechanisms of disease.

Host Paul Rokusie sits down with Dr. John Foxe to talk about his study on rapid eye movement, its implications on disease pathogenesis, and new insights it can bring to future autism research.

The Angry Smile: Exploring the Psychological Impacts of Passive-Aggressive Behavior Aug 25, 2017

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Guest: Signe Whitson

What is passive-aggressive behavior, and what can (or should) people do when confronted with it?

Host Brian McDonough sits down with Signe Whitson, author of the book The Angry Smile: The New Psychological Study of Passive-Aggressive Behavior at Home, at School, in Marriage & Close Relationships, in the Workplace and Online. Ms. Whitson is an educator on bullying, crisis intervention, and child and adolescent emotional and behavioral health. She offers real-world examples and empowering, practical strategies for individuals confronted with passive aggressiveness.

Unraveling Health Disparities for Women with Parkinson's Disease Aug 25, 2017

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Guest: Allison Willis, MD

More men than women are diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease by almost a 2 to 1 margin. However, women receive supportive surgery less often than men, and their symptoms are more severe on average by the time surgical options are taken.

Host Brian McDonough chats with Dr. Allison Willis, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, about gender differences in diagnosing and managing Parkinson's Disease.

Redefining the Vegetative State: How Imaging Measures Consciousness Aug 12, 2017

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Vegetative state is commonly defined as "wakefulness with awareness." Patients with a vegetative state diagnosis will show only reflex behavior, are not able to follow commands and are unable to communicate. This barrier in the inability for patients to communicate can make it difficult for doctors to measure their level of consciousness. In fact, some patients who are believed to be in a completely vegetative state may be more aware of what's going on than people realize.

Host Brian McDonough joins Dr. Adrian Owen, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging at the Brain and Mind Institute at Western University. They talk about how the use of MRI technology is aiding doctors in measuring the level of consciousness in patients under vegetative states.

Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP): Risks and Prevention Jul 23, 2017

Host: Andrew Wilner, MD, FACP, FAAN
Guest: Elizabeth Donner, MD

Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) refers to the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy person with epilepsy where no cause of death can be found. What do doctors need to know about this mysterious and devastating phenomenon?

Dr. Elizabeth Donner, Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program and Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto joins host Dr. Andrew Wilner to talk about the risks and investigated causes of SUDEP.

Radiation Nation: The Effects of Cell Phones on Children's Brains Jul 17, 2017

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Could constant cell phone use be damaging children's brains?

Host Dr. Brian McDonough chats with Daniel Debaun, author of Radiation Nation: The Fallout of Modern Technology," about how electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiation produced by modern technology such as cell phones, tablets, laptops, Wi-Fi, and smart meters may be emerging as a health threat with many unknown consequences.

Gut Feeling: The Links Between IBD and Mental Health Jul 07, 2017

Host: Adam Ehrlich, MD, MPH
Guest: Alison Kaufman, PsyD

Our body responds to stress and anxiety in a variety of ways. For patients with IBD, the body manifests stress into various psychological issues, creating a link between IBD and mental health.

Dr. Alison Kaufman, a psychologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will discuss the common emotional reactions of IBD patients, suggesting ways for physicians to help these patients cope with their chronic disease. She is joined by Dr. Adam Ehrlich of Temple University.

The Biophysics of Minimizing Brain Damage After Hemorrhagic Stroke Jun 12, 2017

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Guest: Annalisa Scimemi

Hemorrhagic strokes account for about 200,000 strokes per year. Of those who survive, about 66 percent suffer some permanent brain damage. Our guest, biophysicist Dr. Annalisa Scimemi, has been studying the receptors in the brain that may contribute to brain damage immediately after hemorrhagic stroke. Alongside host Dr. Brian McDonough, she will discuss how to lessen the effects of brain damage following a stroke.

Committed: The Battle Over Involuntary Psychiatric Care Jun 12, 2017

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Guest: Annette Hanson, MD

Is forced treatment helpful or harmful? Battle lines have been drawn over involuntary treatment for psychiatric patients.

Psychiatrist Dr. Annette Hanson offers a thought-provoking and engaging account of the controversy surrounding involuntary psychiatric care in the United States. She brings the issue to life with first-hand accounts from patients, clinicians, advocates, and opponents. Committed takes on the difficult question of psychiatry's role in preventing violence, suicide, and mass murder.

Hosted by Dr. Maurice Pickard.

Telemedicine Champion Discusses Impact of Telehealth on Access to Care Mar 27, 2017

This week, hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Dr. Peter Yellowlees, President-elect of the American Telemedicine Association which seeks to improve health care delivery through better use of remote medicine technologies. Dr. Yellowlees discusses his decades of work at the University of California Davis advancing the use of telemedicine in clinical and behavioral care.

Mental Health America CEO on Public Health Approaches to Mental Illness Mar 13, 2017

This week, hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Paul Gionfriddo, CEO of Mental Health America, the nation's oldest organization dedicated to advancing access to mental services for all Americans. He discusses the need to change the nation's response to mental illness from a public safety to a public health approach.

Neck and Back Pain: When Should You Refer Your Patients to a Neurosurgeon? Feb 13, 2017

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Patrick J. Connolly, MD

Back and neck pain is extremely common, with 80-90% of people experiencing some pain within their lifetime. About 90% of cases resolve within six weeks, but for those patients whose pain persists, questions arise as to who should be referred next for further consultation. While patients often see a spine specialist at first, the care journey sometimes leads to a neurosurgeon or orthopaedic spine surgeon. Can this pathway from primary care to neurosurgery or orthopaedic surgery ever be expedited?

Dr. Patrick Connolly, neurosurgeon at Penn Medicine joins host Dr. Matt Birnholz to discuss when primary care physicians should consider referring patients to neurosurgeons for neck and back pain. Dr. Connolly will also discuss the different types of surgical options for patients seeking prolonged back and neck pain relief.

Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade: The 5 Love Languages and the Alzheimer's Journey Jan 23, 2017

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

Dr. Maurice Pickards talks with Dr. Edward Shaw about his book Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade: The 5 Love Languages and the Alzheimer's Journey. Dr. Shaw shares how love can lift a corner of dementia’s dark curtain to cultivate an emotional connection amid memory loss. The book provides focused help for those feeling overwhelmed by the relational toll of Alzheimer’s.

Tackling Concussions in Youth Football: Are Children Safe? Jan 17, 2017

Host: David Weisman, MD

Dr. David Weisman explores a study from Wake Forest School of Medicine that examined the effects of concussions for youth football participants.

Drug-Free Brain Health: Treatments Using Virtual Reality and Video Games Jan 11, 2017

This week hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with renowned neuroscientist Dr. Adam Gazzaley, Director of the Neuroscience Imaging Center and Gazzaley Lab at UC San Francisco. Dr. Gazzaley discusses his closed loop system designed to improve brain function through personalized game design and feedback, which are already undergoing FDA clinical trials for therapeutic interventions for a number of brain disorders including ADHD, aging brain, PTSD and addiction.

Introducing Telepsychiatry: How Technology is Revolutionizing Mental Health Services Jan 09, 2017

Host: Tim Rush
Guest: Fred Moss, MD

In today’s fast paced world, it can be hard for people to find time in their busy schedules for even the most accessible mainstays of psychological treatment, such as talking to a therapist.

Dr. Fred Moss, a Board Certified Psychiatrist and practitioner in the emerging telepsychiatry field, is helping usher in a new response to this problem by utilizing virtual psychiatric services. Is this approach as effective as the in-person visit?

The Rising Diabulimia Epidemic: Safeguarding Diabetic Patients with Eating Disorders Dec 19, 2016

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Diabulimia, defined as the manipulation of insulin treatments by Type 1 diabetic patients in order to lose weight, is a rising problem among teens and young adults in the U.S, particularly young women. Joining Dr. Brian McDonough to discuss this dual diagnosis phenomenon of diabetes and eating disorders, ways in which they exacerbate other disease processes, the long term consequences, and management priorities for phycisians is author and registered dietitian Susan Weiner. Susan is a recipient of the AADE Diabetes Educator of the Year award and has devoted much of her writing and clinical expertise to addressing diabulimia in at-risk patients.

Future Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder Dec 17, 2016

Host: Paul Rokuskie

As medical professionals gain better understandings of the etiologies, mechanisms, and progressions of autism spectrum disorder, they are looking for ways to standardize this diagnosis. This creates new needs to change the way autism is conceptualized clinically, from severity scales to behavioral impacts on quality of life.

Host Paul Rokuskie welcomes Dr. Sven Bolte, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Science and Director of the Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. The two discuss the complex process for building new diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder.

Pioneering Research Avenues for Autism Spectrum Disorder Nov 28, 2016

Host: Paul Rokuskie

New research is vital toward better understanding the complexities of autism spectrum disorder. Joining host Paul Rokuskie to discuss the latest research projects striving to identify the underlying causes as well as effective treatments for autism is Dr. Robert Schultz, Director of the Center for Autism Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Finding Personal Fulfilment at Work and Home Nov 20, 2016

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Dr. Brian McDonough explores the importance of finding personal fulfilment in work and home life with Dr. William Schiemann, CEO of Metrus Group and author of Fulfilled! Critical Choices: Work, Home, Life.

Tissue-Specific Protein Clusters May Help Predict Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease Oct 25, 2016

A protein homeostasis signature in healthy brains recapitulates tissue vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease

Rosie Freer, Pietro Sormanni, Giulia Vecchi, Prajwal Ciryam, Christopher M. Dobson, and Michele Vendruscolo

Science Advances 10 Aug 2016: Vol. 2, no. 8, e1600947 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1600947

Abstract: In Alzheimer’s disease, aggregates of Aβ and tau in amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles spread progressively across brain tissues following a characteristic pattern, implying a tissue-specific vulnerability to the disease. We report a transcriptional analysis of healthy brains and identify an expression signature that predicts—at ages well before the typical onset—the tissue-specific progression of the disease. We obtain this result by finding a quantitative correlation between the histopathological staging of the disease and the expression patterns of the proteins that coaggregate in amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, together with those of the protein homeostasis components that regulate Aβ and tau. Because this expression signature is evident in healthy brains, our analysis provides an explanatory link between a tissue-specific environmental risk of protein aggregation and a corresponding vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease.

Recognizing Alzheimer's Disease at the Earliest Stages: Key Signs and Symptoms Oct 02, 2016

Host: John J. Russell, MD
Guest: Howard Fillit, MD

Quality care for patients with Alzheimer's disease starts with early recognition, which enables a timely diagnosis and subsequent intervention with the best available treatment and support options. As such, understanding the broad spectrum of signs and symptoms at the earliest stages of disease is absolutely critical.

Joining host Dr. John Russell to discuss the keys to early recognition for Alzheimer's Disease is Dr. Howard Fillit, founding Executive Director and Chief Science Officer for the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Mechanisms of Alzheimer's Pathogenesis: How Disease Origins Guide Early Detection Practices Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Carol Lippa, MD

Understandings of the origins and mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease are evolving constantly, opening doors to improved targets for therapeutic research. But at a time when disease-modifying therapies for advanced Alzheimer's aren't yet available, the need for early detection becomes critically important to help protect quality of life for patients.

Host Dr. Matt Birnholz welcomes Dr. Carol Lippa, Professor of Neurology & Director of the Memory Disorders Program at Drexel University College of Medicine. Dr. Lippa is a member of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer's Association and Chair of the Delaware Valley Chapter’s Medical & Scientific Committee.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Latest Methods to Early Detection for Alzheimer's: Cognitive Assessments and Diagnostic Tools in Practice Oct 02, 2016

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Douglas Scharre, MD, CMD

Cognitive assessment tools and detection tests for Alzheimer's disease are mutually designed to identify signs of cognitive impairment that are sometimes too subtle to catch by astute clinicians or even patients themselves. But what methods are available to help detect Alzheimer's as early as possible, and how do they impact quality of life for patients throughout the disease progression?

Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle welcomes Dr. Douglas Scharre, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Addressing Barriers to Early Detection for Alzheimer's Disease Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Marwan Noel Sabbagh, MD, FAAN, CCRI

In efforts to detect and diagnose Alzheimer's Disease, time is of the essence. But there are numerous barriers that clinicians face in practice to establishing a diagnosis quickly and accurately, which affects quality of care for patients.

Joining host Dr. Matt Birnholz to address and consider solutions for these barriers is Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, Professor of Neurology and Chief of the Memory Disorders Division at the Barrow Neurological Institute.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Recognizing the Spectrum of Signs and Symptoms for Alzheimer's Disease Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: David Weisman, MD

Dr. David Weisman, neurologist with Abington Neurological Associates and Director of Abington Neurologic Association's Trial Center, talks about expert approaches to recognizing the signs and symptoms for Alzheimer's disease.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Why Early Detection for Alzheimer's Disease Is So Critically Important Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Douglas Scharre, MD, CMD

Dr. Douglas Scharre, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, explains the importance of early detection for Alzheimer's disease on patient quality of life, as well as broader impacts on American healthcare systems.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Understanding the Pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Douglas Scharre, MD, CMD

Dr. Douglas Scharre, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, describes updated perspectives and understandings on the pathophysiology for Alzheimer's disease.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Alzheimer's: A Hidden Disease in More Ways Than One Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Carol Lippa, MD

Dr. Carol Lippa, Professor of Neurology & Director of the Memory Disorders Program at Drexel University College of Medicine, member of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer's Association, and Chair of the Delaware Valley Chapter’s Medical & Scientific Committee, reveals the biological, social, and stigma-based ways in which Alzheimer's remains the most prominently "hidden" disease in America.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Why Patients Delay Seeking an Early Diagnosis for Alzheimer’s Disease Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD

More than half of those seeking a diagnosis for dementia have delayed going to their doctor by at least a year, according to a survey carried out by the Alzheimer’s Society of Great Britain. Dr. Matt Birnholz reports.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Screening & Detection Tests for Alzheimer's Disease: The Benefits & Costs Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Douglas Scharre, MD, CMD

Dr. Douglas Scharre, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry with the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorder at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, speaks to the methods used for early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease, and their respective advantages vs costs in clinical practice.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

The Astute Primary Care Clinician's 3 Keys to Improving Alzheimer's Care Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Marwan Noel Sabbagh, MD, FAAN, CCRI

Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, Professor of Neurology and Chief of the Memory Disorders Division at Barrow Neurological Institute, describes some of his key priorities for the current and future state of Alzheimer’s care.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Hospital Records Predict Risk of Suicide Sep 14, 2016

[Read the Article]

Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death in the United States and identifying those at risk can be challenging. According to a new study, certain words in hospital discharge notes may be one way to identify patients who are at an increased risk of suicide.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital examined more than 450,000 patients’ discharge notes from 2005 to 2013. They analyzed these notes by using a sentiment analysis computer program which searches for positive or negative words. The researchers found that certain words like gloomy, unfortunate, and sad can predict a higher risk for suicide, as opposed to words like lovely, delightful or pleasant.

In general, there is an elevated risk for suicide after hospital discharge so this is a moment for increased intervention.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Beyond the Baby Blues: Depression Screening in the Pregnant Patient Sep 12, 2016

Host: Patrice L Basanta-Henry, MD, MHSc, FACOG

According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, between 14% and 23% of women will struggle with some symptoms of depression during their pregnancy. This condition often goes unrecognized and untreated in part because of safety concerns in using medications or other therapeutic methods during pregnancy.

Host Dr. Patrice Basanta-Henry talks with Dr. Nzinga Harrison, a board-certified physician in addiction medicine and psychiatry and Chief Medical Officer for Anka Behavioral Health, Inc about the current recommendations for depression screenings in the pregnant patient.

Device Reduces Risk of Brain Injury After Heart Valve Replacement Aug 09, 2016

[Read the Article]

Patients who might benefit from a heart valve replacement but are too ill for open heart surgery can sometimes undergo a less invasive procedure known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation or "TAVI". About 10% of patients undergoing TAVI can experience small strokes and related brain injury as a complication. A new study found that the use of a cerebral protection device, which captures debris dislodged from blood vessels during the TAVI procedure, reduced the number and volume of brain lesions seen on MRI.
Researchers from the University of Leipzig Heart Center, Germany studied 100 patients with an average age of 80 who underwent TAVI. Half of the patients received the cerebral protection device and the other half did not. Patients underwent brain MRIs before the implantation and again at 2 and at 7 days after the procedure. The results found that using the filter device helped to decrease the number of brain lesions seen in the brain by about half.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

The Rise of Mood Tracking: How Big Data Can Transform Psychiatry Aug 08, 2016

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO

Mood tracking, a novel integration of technology with psychiatric care to track mental status changes over time, has the potential to fundamentally change how clinicians treat behavioral health disorders. Will smartphone apps become the vehicle for this technology to the wider masses?

Dr. Adam Kaplin, Principle Psychiatric Consultant to the Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis and Transverse Myelitis Centers of Excellence, is the founder and inventor of Mood 24/7, a mobile app that allows people to record their mood daily and share this data with their health care providers to provide better accuracy in reporting mood symptoms. He joins Dr. Jennifer Caudle to discuss the emergence of mood tracking portals such as Mood 24/7 and the ways they can transform mental health care.

Time is Brain: Diagnosing and Treating Stroke in the Golden Window Aug 08, 2016

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Michael Mullen, MD

Every second counts for stroke patients. During a stroke, two-million brain cells die every minute, making the urgent administration of therapies and treatment vital to ensure a positive outcome.

Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle is joined by Dr. Michael Mullen, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Penn Medicine. They discuss the clinical hallmarks and priority treatment consideration for stroke.

How Information Technology Will Revolutionize Mental Health Care Aug 01, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD

Psychiatry gets a bad rep for being one of the more "technophobic" fields in clinical medicine. This negative association stems in part to the difficulty in tracking changes in mood, cognition, and certain behaviors over time. But there is a growing contingency of psychiatric clinicians who are bringing technology into this specialty to help propel standards in mental health care.

Dr. Adam Kaplin, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Principle Psyciatric Consultant to the Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis and Transverse Myelitis Centers of Excellence, joins Dr. Jennifer Caudle to discuss ways in which technological innovations can enhance psychiatric care and decrease stigma surrounding mental illness.

Innovations in Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis Aug 01, 2016

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Joseph Berger, MD, FACP, FAAN, FANA

Multiple sclerosis is a notoriously difficult disease to diagnose early on. With no singular confirmatory tests yet available, physicians often become reluctant to identify MS in their patients, leading to years of diagnostic and treatment uncertainty. But new innovations are helping doctors establish earlier diagnoses and start more targeted treatments for MS patients.

Dr. Jennifer Caudle welcomes Dr. Joseph Berger, Professor of Neurology at Penn Medicine, to explore some of these innovations advancing MS diagnosis and treatment.

4 Latest Advances in Epilepsy Treatment at Penn Jul 18, 2016

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Kathryn Davis, MD, MTR
Guest: Timothy Lucas, MD, PhD

According to the epilepsy foundation, epilepsy is the 4th most common neurological problem in the U.S. – only migraine, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease occur more frequently. The average incidence of epilepsy each year in the U. S is estimated at 150,000, or 48 for every 100,000 people.

Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle talks with Doctors Kathryn Davis and Timothy Lucas about advances in treatment for epilepsy at Penn Medicine. Dr. Davis is Assistant Professor of Neurology and Medical Director of the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit and Epilepsy Surgical Program. Dr. Timothy Lucas is Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Surgical Director at the Penn Epilepsy Center, and Director of the Penn Center for Laser Neurosurgery.

10% Happier: How a Journalist Found Self-Help That Actually Works Jun 21, 2016

Host: John J. Russell, MD

After having a nationally televised panic attack, Dan Harris, co-anchor of “Nightline” and the weekend edition of “Good Morning America” on ABC News, knew he had to make some changes. Mr. Harris realized that the source of his problems was the very thing he always thought was his greatest asset: the incessant, insatiable voice in his head, which had propelled him through the ranks of a hypercompetitive business, but had also led him to make decisions that provoked his on-air panic attack.

Eventually Harris stumbled upon an effective way to rein in that voice, something he always assumed to be either impossible or useless: meditation, a tool that research suggests can do everything from lower your blood pressure to essentially rewire your brain.

10% Happier, an autobiographical account of Harris's discovery of meditation, takes readers on a ride from the outer reaches of neuroscience to the inner sanctum of network news to the bizarre fringes of America’s spiritual scene, leaving takeaway for readers to make meaningful changes in their lives.

Overcoming Destructive Anger: Strategies That Work Jun 06, 2016

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

Dr. Maurice Pickard speaks with psychologist Dr. Bernard Golden, an anger management specialist and author of Overcoming Destructive Anger: Strategies That Work.

Dr. Golden draws on both compassion-focused therapy―a model for change that encompasses and expands on cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and practices in compassion and self-compassion―and theories of emotional intelligence to offer concrete tools for turning destructive anger into healthy anger. This in turn can have positive health effects on a range of disease states, from cardiovascular disease to diabetes to depression.

Bernard Golden, PhD has been a practicing psychologist for almost forty years. He specializes in working with children, teens and adults on anger management issues, utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques and practices in compassion and self-compassion. Dr. Golden is the author of Overcoming Destructive Anger: Strategies That Work (John Hopkins University Press, 2016), which teaches readers to recognize, sit with, and move beyond the triggers that cause destructive anger. Emphasizing anger’s link to the old brain (limbic cortex) and habits of mind, Dr. Golden offers multiple strategies for engaging the “rational brain” (prefrontal cortex) to overwrite established neural pathways and form new patterns of behavior.

Muhammed Ali's Death Prompts Questions Linking CTE and Parkinson's Disease Jun 06, 2016

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Muhammed Ali died on June 3rd, 2016. The cause of death was respiratory complications from septic shock, but his 30-year battle with Parkinson's disease played a major role in his declining health. Did a storied career in boxing contribute to and/or cause the development of this disease?

Dr. Brian McDonough previews the current clinical understandings and medical literature connecting chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) with the development of Parkinson's disease.

How Autism Manifests Differently in Girls vs Boys Apr 20, 2016

Host: Paul Rokuskie

Recent studies have uncovered sex differences in both the neurobiology and phenotypical presentations of autism. These emerging understandings for how autism manifests uniquely in girls vs boys may radically change the way autism spectrum disorder is clinically perceived, improving diagnostic sensitivity and personalizing therapies.

Joining host Paul Rokuskie to discuss this line of research developments in autism spectrum disorder is Dr. Kaustubh Supekar, research scientist in the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Identifying Children at Risk for Persistent Symptoms after Concussion Mar 09, 2016

[Read the Article]

Approximately one-third of children who experience a concussion will experience persistent post-concussion symptoms. Researchers have developed a new clinical scoring system that may help predict which patients are at a higher risk for prolonged symptoms.
Canadian researchers evaluated more than 3,000 patients, ages 5 to 18, who presented within 48 hours of an acute head injury. About thirty percent ended up with persistent post-concussion symptoms at 28 days. Researchers identified nine clinical factors that were predictive of post-concussive symptoms. These factors were then used in a twelve point risk score that included items like age, sex, history of migraines or depression, prior history of concussion, and problems with balance.
Although the clinical score was better than a physician's judgement alone, further research is needed before it is fully adopted into clinical practice.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Protect the Head: A Former Pro Football Player's Mission to Prevent Concussions Mar 07, 2016

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Dr. Brian McDonough welcomes John Roman, CEO of Defend Your Head, a sports safety company based in Chester County, PA. Mr. Roman is a former offensive lineman in the NFL with the New York Jets (1976-1983) before launching a 30-year successful career on Wall Street. He joins Primary Care Today to discuss technological advances in helmet design and construction for football players of all ages. His company has recently developed ProTech, a football helmet product using a soft outer-shell technology designed to improve energy and force dissipation and reduction.

Eating Seafood May Help Lower the Risk of Dementia Feb 04, 2016

[Read the Article]

A new study examined the brains of deceased individuals and found that moderate seafood consumption correlated with lesser Alzheimer disease.
Researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago enrolled older people living in public housing and retirement communities in an ongoing study of memory and aging. Participants had normal memory function when they entered the study and were asked to keep track of their diet using a detailed questionnaire. The participants also agreed to brain donation after they died, providing researchers a total of 286 brains to examine.
They found that participants who reported consuming seafood at least once a week had decreased occurrence of the plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer disease. Increased seafood consumption was associated with increased brain mercury levels, but the mercury did not appear to have an impact on brain health.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Updates Recommendations for Depression Screening in Adults Jan 27, 2016

[Read the Article]

Depression is a common clinical problem, and is a leading cause of disability in adults. This condition is often under recognized and under treated, affecting individuals, families, businesses and society. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is an independent group of medical professionals that makes evidence-based recommendations about clinical preventive services in the primary care setting. The Task Force is recommending screening for depression in adults, including pregnant and postpartum women.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Electromagnetic Therapy Improves Survival in Patients with Aggressive Type of Brain Cancer Jan 05, 2016

[Read the Article]

Glioblastoma is the most devastating form of brain cancer in adults; most patients die within one to two years of diagnosis. A new study examined whether using tumor-treating fields, a type of electromagnetic therapy, combined with maintenance chemotherapy in patients with glioblastoma who had already completed standard chemotherapy and radiation, could increase survival.
Researchers from University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland are conducting a worldwide trial with 695 glioblastoma patients. One out of three received a standard maintenance course of chemotherapy, while the other two received maintenance therapy plus the tumor treating fields for up to two years.
The current results are for the first 315 patients. Researchers found that use of the tumor-treating fields increased both progression-free survival and overall survival. Overall survival is prolonged by an average of three months in patients getting the tumor-treating fields therapy.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Depression Among Resident Physicians Jan 05, 2016

[Read the Article]

Even in the general population, people often don't want to talk about depression, which is one of the major reasons it isn't always treated properly. Depression is also a concern in the medical community, particularly affecting physicians in training known as medical residents. A considerable number of medical residents suffer significant depressive symptoms at various times during their training. What should be done to address the problem?

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Delaying or Deferring the Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease: Can a New Blood Test Help? Dec 28, 2015

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO

Host Jennifer Caudle, DO welcomes Robert Nagele, PhD, a Rowan University researcher and Professor at the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Nagele and his team are closing in on a new blood test to detect Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS, cancers and other diseases by searching for the autoantibodies created by the disease processes. The test has initially shown to be remarkably accurate in research trials with a capability to accurately assess the stage of disease. More important, it appears to detect pre-clinical disease, giving physicians an opportunity to intervene with lifestyle changes that delay or defer the onset of symptoms.

This program was recorded live at the American Osteopathic Association's annual medical education conference, OMED2015 in Orlando, FL,

Helping Patients Overcome Travel Anxieties in Uncertain Times Dec 21, 2015

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Dr. Brian McDonough welcomes Dr Ken Yeager, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Ohio State University School of Medicine. Dr. Yeager examines how physicians can help their patients handle the stress of a "24-hour news world" with depictions and images of disasters coming into their homes every day.

The Traumatized Brain: A Family Guide to Understanding Mood, Memory, and Behavior after Brain Injury Dec 14, 2015

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

A traumatic brain injury is a life-changing event, affecting an individual’s lifestyle, ability to work, relationships―even personality. In The Traumatized Brain: a Family Guide to Understanding Mood, Memory, and Behavior after Brain Injury, co-author and neuropsychiatrist Dr. Sandeep Vaishnavi explains how traumatic brain injury, whether mild, moderate, or severe, affects the brain. He describes how emotional symptoms such as depression, anxiety, mania, and apathy can be treated; how behavioral symptoms such as psychosis, aggression, impulsivity, and sleep disturbances can be addressed; and how cognitive functions like attention, memory, executive functioning, and language can be improved.

Combination Drug Treatment Reduces Agitation in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease Sep 22, 2015

[Read the Article]

Agitation is common in patients with dementia and can contribute to distress for patients and caregivers and an increased risk of institutionalization. Nonpharmacological interventions are recommended as first-line therapy, but many patients fail to respond, and medications are often needed. Currently available medications don't work very well and can have serious side effects. A new study tested a combination of two existing medications, dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate, to see if this would help control agitation in patients with Alzheimer's dementia.
Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic recruited 220 patients with Alzheimer's dementia and agitation. During a preliminary 10 week trial, participants were randomly assigned to receive either the dextromethorphan- quinidine combination or a placebo.
Results showed that patients receiving the combination medication demonstrated fewer episodes of agitation compared to patients who received the placebo. When agitation did occur, it tended to be less severe. Researchers also found that not only is the combined drug effective, but safe.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Low Vitamin D Associated with Faster Decline in Cognitive Function Sep 15, 2015

[Read the Article]

About 42 percent of the general U.S. population has low vitamin D levels. In addition to promoting calcium and bone health, vitamin D may also affect the brain and cognitive function. A new study by JAMA Neurology looked at the association between baseline vitamin D levels and the rate of cognitive decline in a group of ethnically diverse older adults.
A researcher from Rutgers University, along with colleagues from the University of California Davis, studied 382 older adults with an average age of 75. Among the group, 61 percent of participants were women, 41 percent white, about 30 percent were African American and 25 percent were Hispanic. At study enrollment, about 18 percent had dementia, 33 percent had mild cognitive impairment and half were cognitively normal.
Vitamin D levels and cognitive function were measured at baseline. Cognitive function was also followed in 318 of the participants for an average of 5 years.
Researchers found:
- About 60 percent of the group, regardless of their race or ethnicity, was low in vitamin D.
- Vitamin D levels were lower for African American and Hispanics, compared with their white counterparts.
- …

Can Exercise Improve Cognitive Function in Older Adults? Sep 08, 2015

[Read the Article]

Some evidence suggests that physical activity can help slow cognitive decline. A new study evaluated whether a program of moderate physical activity would result in better cognitive function, lower risk of dementia, or both, for older adults compared with a health education program.
Researchers from Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina evaluated more than 1,600 sedentary adults, between the ages of 70 and 89, and randomly assigned them to either physical activity or a health education program. The participants were monitored for 24 months, during which their cognitive function was measured using a variety of clinical tests.
Results found that both groups preserved their cognitive function over the two year study period. Although there was no difference between the groups, the outcomes still prove notable, since steady decline in cognitive function would generally be expected within this age group.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Mindfulness-Based Therapy Decreases Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms for U.S. Veterans Sep 08, 2015

[Read the Article]

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects twenty-three percent of veterans returning home from deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. Left untreated, PTSD is associated with high rates of other disorders, disabilities, and poor quality of life. A new study evaluated a different approach to managing PTSD related symptoms, a mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy.
Researchers at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System randomly assigned 116 veterans with PTSD to receive nine sessions of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy, which teaches participants to be present in the moment in a nonjudgmental, accepting manner. The others attended group therapy, primarily focusing on current life problems. The veterans were monitored before, during and after treatment.
Results found that among veterans with PTSD, mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy, compared to group therapy, resulted in a greater decrease in PTSD symptom severity.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Stroke Associated with Both Immediate and Long-term Decline in Cognitive Function Sep 08, 2015

[Read the Article]

Each year, nearly 800,000 Americans experience a stroke, and for survivors, cognitive decline including memory and thinking speed, is a major cause of disability. Many patients experience these declines immediately after a stroke, but a new study examined whether cognitive decline continues several years after the initial stroke.
Researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor examined changes in cognitive function in more than 23,000 individuals who were 45 years of age or older. All participants were free of cognitive impairment at the start of the study. Memory and other measures of cognitive function were recorded at the beginning and at regular intervals throughout a six year follow up period. 515 participants experienced a stroke during the study, the rest remained stroke free.
Results found that stroke survivors had a faster rate of cognitive decline after stroke compared with the pre-stroke rate. Stroke was associated with an early decline in cognitive function and also accelerated and persistent cognitive decline over the next six years.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma Jul 06, 2015

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

Renowned trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk has spent over three decades working with trauma survivors. In his book, The Body Keeps the Score, Dr. van der Kolk adds to modern understandings of traumatic stress, revealing how it literally rearranges the brain’s wiring—specifically areas dedicated to pleasure, engagement, control, and trust. He discusses how these areas can be reactivated through innovative treatments including neurofeedback, mindfulness techniques, play, yoga, and other therapies.

Management of Acute Stroke: Perspectives from a Neurointerventional Radiologist Mar 09, 2015

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Dr. McDonough welcomes Dr. Donald Frei, neuroradiologist and Director of Neurointerventional Surgery at Radiology Imaging Associates in Denver, CO. Dr. Frei is working towards establishing state-of-the-art diagnosis and management strategies in treating patients with acute stroke. His procedural specialties include acute catheter directed stroke intervention, angioplasty/stent revascularization of cerebrovascular stenosis and minimally invasive treatment of cerebral aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations.

Insulin Resistance and the Risk of Ischemic Stroke Oct 27, 2010

Guest: Tatjana Rundek, MD, PhD
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

Hundreds of millions of people may have insulin resistance worldwide. What is the connection between insulin resistance and the risk of ischemic stroke? Dr. Tatjana Rundek, associate professor of neurology and director of the clinical translational research division in the department of neurology of the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, Florida, discusses her research on the risk of developing ischemic stroke among non-diabetic patients with insulin resistance with host Dr. Maurice Pickard. How can lipid-lowering medications help reduce the risk of stroke for non-diabetic patients with insulin resistance, and are any other medications on the horizon for these patients?

Attachment-based Family Therapy for Treating Adolescent Depression Jul 20, 2010

Guest: Guy Diamond, PhD
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the US, affecting 4-6% of adolescents. Suicide is also a significant issue in this age group, and is the the third leading cause of death among adolescents. How effective are the various types of psychotherapy and medications typically used to treat adolescent depression, and how is a newer form of therapy, attachment-based family therapy, aimed at engaging this patient population more effectively? Dr. Guy Diamond, director of the Center for Family Intervention Science at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and associate professor of psychology at Penn Medicine, joins host Dr. Maurice Pickard to discuss the theory behind attachment-based family therapy, which is intended to address the patient's environment and stressors that may be contributing to their depression. When might attachment-based family therapy be more beneficial than enhanced usual care (including cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications)?

New Frontiers and Challenges for Alzheimer's Drugs May 19, 2010

Guest: William Thies, PhD
Host: Bruce Japsen

Some 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, with more cases sure to develop as the baby boomer generation ages. New potential discoveries are on the horizon. But, as Dr. William Thies, chief medical and scientific officer for the national office of the Alzheimer's Association, tells host Bruce Japsen, significant challenges and obstacles also lie ahead for these potential ground-breaking discoveries.

Rewriting the DSM Feb 23, 2010

Guest: Darrel Regier, MD
Host: Bruce Japsen

It's been over 15 years since the publication of the Fourth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The DSM-V is due to be published in May 2013, and for the first time, the American Psychiatric Association invited input from the wider medical community and the general public. Anyone could go to the website, view the draft criteria alongside DSM-IV criteria, as well as the rationale behind the proposed changes, and add their comments, through April 20, 2010. Dr. Darrel Regier, executive director of the American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education and director, division of research, at the American Psychiatric Association, tells host Bruce Japsen about what's due to change in the Manual, and the ramifications for research, treatment, payment, and — ultimately — outcomes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Adults With ADHD Apr 15, 2009

Guest: Mary Solanto, PhD
Host: Vatsal Thakkar, MD

How can cognitive behavioral therapy help alleviate symptoms of ADHD patients, as well as other symptoms of comorbid anxiety or depression in these patients? Is cognitive behavioral therapy more effective than other types of group or individual counseling for these patients? Dr. Mary Solanto, associate professor of psychiatry and director of the ADHD Center at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, describes some of the benefits ADHD patients may receive from this non-pharmacologic approach to treatment. Dr. Vatsal Thakkar hosts.

Research on Genetic Traits of ADHD Apr 15, 2009

Guest: Randy Blakely, PhD
Host: Vatsal Thakkar, MD

Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter in the cortex, essential to movement and activity control, as well as attention and executive function, tying this transporter to ADHD. How are scientists finding the genetic markers that may be transmitted to those with ADHD, and how does this help scientists understand more about the disorder? Dr. Randy Blakely, director of the Center for Molecular Neuroscience at the Silvio O. Conte Center for Neuroscience Research and the Alan D. Bass Professor of Pharmacology and Psychiatry at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, describes a genetic mutation that causes the dopamine transporter to run backwards, and how this discovery is helping scientists understand the mechanisms of ADHD. Dr. Vatsal Thakkar hosts.

Non-Stimulant Options for ADHD Patients Apr 02, 2009

Guest: Richard Rubin, MD
Host: Vatsal Thakkar, MD

Although stimulant medications are often used to treat ADHD patients, there are patients for whom non-stimulants might also be a viable option. What are the advantages to each type of medication? Dr. Richard Rubin, clinical associate professor at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and adjunct associate professor of child psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical College, joins host Dr. Vatsal Thakkar to discuss medication options for treating patients with ADHD.

Brain Attack: The 'Golden Hour' After a CVA Mar 13, 2009

Guest: Ralph Sacco, MD
Host: Shira Johnson, MD

Over 700,000 Americans have a new or recurrent stroke each year. Dr Ralph Sacco, professor and chairman of neurology at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine, discusses the leading research on treatment in the 'golden hour' after a stroke occurs. He reviews why thrombolytics have led the way after a dry infarct, but why your patients may need additional care only available in a comprehensive stroke center. As chief of neurology at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and a leading researcher, Dr. Sacco joins host Dr Shira Johnson to talk about the state of the art in care after a CVA.

Investigating Long-Term Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Cocaine Mar 02, 2009

Guest: Ira Chasnoff, MD
Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP

Over the past few decades, there has been grave concern that prenatal exposure to cocaine would result in a population of children with physical, mental and emotional problems. Many of these infants have been carefully studied as they progress toward adolescence and beyond, and data suggests the impact on their development may not be as dramatic as we once thought. Dr. Ira Chasnoff, professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and president of the Children's Research Triangle in Chicago, joins host Dr. Jennifer Shu to explore the shift in our thinking about the long-term effects of prenatal exposure to cocaine.

Can We Erase the Past with Beta-Blockers? Feb 26, 2009

Guest: James McGaugh, PhD
Host: Michael Greenberg, MD

How can beta-blockers influence the formation of memories? Can beta-blockers erase memories entirely, or do these medications only affect the way or degree to which a memory is imprinted? Dr. James McGaugh, founding director of the Center for Neurobiology and Memory at the University of California, Irvine, explains the way beta-blockers can be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. What are the ethical concerns about pharmacologically manipulating our anxieties or stresses? Dr. Michael Greenberg hosts.

Payoffs and Pitfalls of E-Communication in Psychiatry Feb 26, 2009

Guest: Richard A. Friedman, MD
Host: Cathleen Margolin, PhD

The continued growth of the Internet, and its increasing pervasiveness in our lives, has many of us considering how we might incorporate Web-based avenues of communication in our practice. The ease and convenience of e-mail, for example, is tempting, but could also open up a Pandora's box. Does e-mail inherently pose new challenges that may not be an issue with phone dialogue or in-person discussion? Dr. Richard Friedman, professor of clinical psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College and a regular contributor to the New York Times, shares his experience with e-mail in his practice and a few tips for those who use or are contemplating Web communication for their practice. Dr. Cathleen Margolin hosts.

Are Older Drugs 'In' Again for Depression in Parkinson’s? Feb 25, 2009

Guest: Matthew A. Menza, MD
Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Could tricyclic antidepressants be more effective at treating depression in patients with Parkinson's disease? They have been used since the 1950s for treatment of depression, but in recent years, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have become the predominant form of therapy. New research is suggesting that SSRIs may not be the best antidepressant option for our patients with Parkinson's. The lead author of this research, Dr. Matthew Menza, professor of psychiatry and neurology, and interim chair of psychiatry at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, speaks with host Dr. Larry Kaskel about the potential implications of his study on how we care for our Parkinson's patients who are also suffering from depression. Dr. Menza also explores a few other relevant issues: the reticence, among many of those with Parkinson's, to speak with their physician about depression, and the concurrent reluctance, among many in the medical community, to recognize and treat their patients' vulnerability to depression.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s: Risks vs. Benefits Feb 20, 2009

Guest: Matthew B. Stern, MD
Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP

Medication and physical therapy have been mainstay treatments for controlling neurologic symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. One strategy for mitigating the characteristic tremors, rigidity and slow movement has focused on deep brain stimulation (DBS). What are the risks and benefits of this surgical intervention, when is it indicated, and how does it compare with medical treatment for Parkinson's? Host Dr. Jennifer Shu welcomes Dr. Matthew Stern, the Parker Family Professor of Neurology and director of the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, to explore DBS and its indication for your patients with Parkinson's disease. Dr. Stern also offers his view on the question of whether DBS could eventually be considered for treatment much earlier in the disease's progression, or potentially as a first-line therapy for patients with Parkinson's.

Occipital Nerve Stimulation for Patients With Intractable Cluster Headache Feb 18, 2009

Guest: Peter Goadsby, MD, PhD
Host: Mary Leuchars, MD

Occipital Nerve Stimulation has recently emerged as a novel form of therapy for patients with intractable cluster headaches. Could it be the hallmark of a new era in stimulation therapies for primary headache syndromes? Joining host Dr. Mary Leuchars to share insights on this subject is neurologist Dr. Peter Goadsby, director of UCSF's Headache Center and a world expert on trigeminal autonomic cephalgias, or TACs.

Migraines and Beyond: Narcotic Therapy and Pain Control Feb 16, 2009

Guest: Joel Saper, MD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Many physicians today feel overburdened by the task of pain management. The current state of pain management stands in sharp contrast to years past, when our options were once relatively limited in the treatment of pain associated with headaches and other ailments. When is it appropriate to prescribe narcotics, if at all, for these conditions? Dr. Joel Saper, director of the Michigan Head Pain and Neurological Institute in Ann Arbor, Michigan, recounts how physicians' sensitivities have changed over the years. Are we now too sensitive to pain control? Dr. Mark Nolan Hill hosts.

When to Prescribe Opioid Therapy for Headaches Feb 16, 2009

Guest: Joel Saper, MD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Though many therapies exist for the treatment of headaches, some chronic headache cases do not respond to prescribed therapies. In a portion of these cases, opioid medications are offered to help patients find relief. But prescription of opioids can present additional problems, including increasingly recurrent headaches. This leads us to the question: which of our patients should receive opioid therapy for their headaches?Dr. Joel Saper, director of the Michigan Head Pain and Neurological Institute in Ann Arbor, Michigan, examines this critical question and much more with host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill. Which patient populations are most vulnerable to the potential problems associated with narcotic therapy? Are we properly advising our patients on the risks of narcotic misuse and overuse, as well as the importance of dose limitations--and if not, how can we improve …

Managing Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalgias Feb 16, 2009

Guest: Peter Goadsby, MD, PhD
Host: Mary Leuchars, MD

Trigeminal autonomic cephalgias, or TACs, and their classifications are enough to give any clinician a headache. How can physicians better appreciate this condition to enhance clinical practice? Dr. Peter Goadsby, director of the Headache Center at the University of California, San Francisco, Medical Center and a world expert on TAC, joins host Dr. Mary Leuchars to update listeners on this unique group of headache conditions.

Benefits of Prazosin Use for PTSD Patients Feb 16, 2009

Guest: Murray Raskind, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD

The sleep disruptions and irritability that often affect patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be challenging to treat with traditional psychotherapy or pharmacologic treatments. Host Dr. Lee Freedman welcomes Dr. Murray Raskind, professor and vice-chairman in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine, to discuss the benefits of using prazosin to treat PTSD symptoms.

Considering Cognitive-Enhancing Drugs for the Healthy Feb 12, 2009

Guest: Henry T. Greely, JD
Host: Cathleen Margolin, PhD

How might society best respond to the growing demand for cognitive-enhancing drugs by healthy individuals? That's the overriding question posed in a recent article published in Nature, written by a team of authors led by Henry Greely, professor of law and director of the Center for Law and the Biosciences at Stanford University. Mr. Greely joins host Dr. Cathleen Margolin to evaluate the appeal and the risks of drug-propelled cognitive enhancement, from safety considerations for healthy individuals using such medications, to the fairness of comparing the achievements of those who use versus those who do not, and the potential for coercion by superiors aiming, in theory, for enhanced performance from subordinates. One other question they will consider: is there a moral difference between cognitive enhancement through pharmaceuticals versus enhancement through sleep or nutritionally beneficial food products?

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Feb 11, 2009

Host: Michael Greenberg, MD
Guest: Anne Louise Oaklander, MD, PhD

How is complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) distinguished from chronic or phantom limb pain? Can something as simple as a fracture or blood drawing trigger this condition? Dr. Anne-Louise Oaklander, associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, joins host Dr. Michael Greenberg to discuss the intricacies of neuropathic pain. Since CRPS is rare, at what point should a physician suspect CRPS, and can this condition be treated?

Sensation and the Brain: Case Study of an Itch Feb 11, 2009

Host: Michael Greenberg, MD
Guest: Anne Louise Oaklander, MD, PhD

An HIV-positive patient developed shingles. After the shingles healed, this patient began experiencing a very severe unremitting itch, which caused her to scratch through her own skull while sleeping one night. How is this possible, and what are the mechanics of itch that would allow a patient to feel no pain from scratching? Dr. Anne Louise Oaklander, associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, reveals the pathophysiology of neurological itch. Is itch really just low-level firing of pain neurons, or is itch entirely distinct? Dr. Michael Greenberg hosts.

The Role of Neurosurgery for Patients With Refractory Depression Feb 10, 2009

Guest: Aviva Abosch, MD, PhD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

Increasingly, depression is viewed a systems-level disorder. For patients who are refractory to the all traditional therapies, surgery on the brain may be answer. What are the benefits, and how is psychosurgery different than it was 50 years ago? Dr. Leslie Lundt is joined by Dr. Aviva Abosch, director of the Epilepsy and Functional Neurosurgery Program, and assistant professor in the department of neurosurgery, at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis.

Psychoanalysis, Dynamic Psychotherapy Make a Comeback Feb 09, 2009

Guest: Raymond Levy, PsyD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Guest: John Stuart Ablon, PhD

Psychoanalysis and dynamic psychotherapy have been criticized as too time-consuming, costly and even ineffective. Dr. Raymond Levy and Dr. Stewart Ablon, of the Psychotherapy Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, discuss their recent evidence-based research into these long-term therapies. What differentiates psychoanalysis and dynamic psychotherapy from other types of therapy, and are these therapies more effective for specific disorders? Dr. Lee Freedman hosts.

SAD: Treating Winter's Doldrums Feb 09, 2009

Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP
Guest: Norman Rosenthal, MD

The condition we now know as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) was first recognized in the early 1980s, when some patients were noted to have symptoms of depression only during the winter months. How does seasonal depression differ from other conditions such as major depression or bipolar disorder? Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a former senior researcher in psychiatry and psychobiology at the National Institute of Mental Health and one of the world's foremost experts on SAD, details the clinical profile of this disorder and describes light therapy and other potential treatments with host Dr. Jennifer Shu. Because there are some similarities between SAD and full depression, is it possible that light therapies or other SAD treatments would be effective for patients with year-round symptoms or bipolar disorder?

Treating Temporal Lobe Epilepsy With Surgery Feb 04, 2009

Guest: Hyunmi Choi, MD
Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Is brain surgery better than medicine for temporal lobe epilepsy? Host Dr. Larry Kaskel talks with Dr. Hyunmi Choi, assistant professor of clinical neurology at Columbia University Medical Center in the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, about her research into the benefits of brain surgery over continued medication management.

Comparing Treatments for Anxiety Disorders in Children Feb 04, 2009

Guest: Anne Marie Albano, PhD, ABPP
Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD

For the last several years, the mainstays of treatment for children with anxiety disorders have varied among practitioners, but few attempts have been made to evaluate their comparative or combinatorial effectiveness. Dr. Anne Marie Albano, associate professor of clinical psychology in psychiatry and director of the Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders in the division of child and adolescent psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center, shares the outcomes of her research comparing cognitive behavioral therapy with medication in treating anxiety disorders in children. Dr. Albano discusses these two forms of therapy, both in isolation and combined, to treat a variety of problems, such as generalized anxiety disorder and social phobias. Dr. Bill Rutenberg hosts.

Evaluating Exposure Therapy to Treat Anxiety Disorders in Childhood Feb 04, 2009

Guest: Stephen Whiteside, PhD, LP
Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD

Should exposure therapy be added to a mental health practitioner's arsenal of treatment techniques for anxiety disorders in children? Dr. Stephen Whiteside, assistant professor of psychology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, explores the merits and limitations of this therapeutic approach, with recommendations for selecting patients who stand to benefit most. Hosted by Dr. Bill Rutenberg.

Contemporary Neurosurgical Approaches in Psychiatry Feb 02, 2009

Guest: Steven Dubovsky, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD

How have neurosurgical procedures for psychiatric conditions advanced since the development of the lobotomy? Which types of neurosurgical procedures are best for treating depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder? Dr. Steven Dubovsky, professor and chair of the department of psychiatry at the State University New York at Buffalo, explains lesioning surgeries, vegus nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation for treating depression. Dr. Lee Freedman hosts. Can these procedures cure patients of their psychiatric conditions?

New Treatment Techniques for Paranoia Jan 27, 2009

Guest: Daniel Freeman, PhD, DClinPsy
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

How prevalent is paranoia and what are the latest strategies clinicians can use to treat patients with paranoia? Dr. Daniel Freeman, a Wellcome Trust Fellow at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss this 21st century fear. New techniques are designed to reduce distress and encourage people to talk about their paranoia.

Smoking, Cessation, and the Dual Risks of Suicide Jan 27, 2009

Guest: John Hughes, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

Dr. Leslie Lundt's guest, Dr. John Hughes, professor of psychiatry, psychology and family practice at the University of Vermont, whose research is primarily focused on tobacco use, explains why suicide is linked to both smoking and stopping smoking. They discuss the variables that may explain this, as well as the medications available to help patients to stop smoking and their effect on depression. How can clinicians best help their patients?

Treating Psychosis in Adolescents Jan 27, 2009

Guest: Robert Findling, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

When schizophrenia first presents in the teen years, patients often have a particularly poor prognosis. What are the best treatments for adolescents? Which medicine is best? Dr. Robert Findling, the Rocco L. Motto, MD, Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, talks with host Dr. Leslie Lundt about the long-term effects of medications and new research into treatment of early-onset schizophrenia.

Managing Psychological Distress Post-ICU Stay Jan 26, 2009

Guest: Dale Needham, MD, PhD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD

What complications in the ICU might lead to a patient experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder after an ICU stay? Is it better to keep ICU patients sedated to prevent pain, or is there an advantage to encouraging movement as soon as possible? Host Dr. Lee Freedman debates this question with Dr. Dale Needham, assistant professor in the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins University. Are certain patients more susceptible than others to developing PTSD after being in the ICU?

Practical Advice for Treating Bipolar Patients Jan 14, 2009

Guest: Monica Basco, PhD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

What are the most successful methods of treating bipolar patients? Dr. Monica Basco, associate professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss her work with treating bipolar patients. Learn the best tools for increasing treatment adherence, recognizing prodromal symptoms and preventing relapse.

Sleep Disorders in Parkinson's Disease Patients Jan 14, 2009

Guest: Matthew A. Menza, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

Sleep disturbance is extremely common in Parkinson's disease patients; more than two-thirds of community dwelling patients are affected. Dr. Matthew Menza, professor of psychiatry and neurology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to describe the most common sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease patients and how to treat them.

Educational Accommodations for the ADHD Patient Dec 19, 2008

Guest: Matthew Tominey
Host: Lenard Adler, MD

How can educational accommodations be tailored to best fit ADHD patients? What role does an appropriate psychometric assessment of an ADHD patient play in determining the best educational accommodations for that patient? Do all institutions require similar documentation? Dr. Matthew Tominey, director of Disability Support Services at Seton Hall University, discusses how to best address the educational needs of ADHD patients. Dr. Lenard Adler hosts.

Pre-Op Bariatric Surgery Psychological Workup Nov 21, 2008

Guest: David Sarwer, PhD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

Understanding the psychosocial aspects of treating morbid obesity may help us improve the success rate of these patients postoperatively. Dr. David Sarwer, the director of clinical services at the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, explores the psychological workup of the pre-op bariatric surgery patient with host Dr. Leslie Lundt.

The Expanding Role of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Nov 20, 2008

Guest: Paul Holman, MD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

At first glance, minimally invasive spine surgery sounds like a contradiction in terms: how could an operation on an area of the body so complex, be navigated successfully through only a few simple incisions? Dr. Paul Holman, a neurosurgeon for the Methodist Neurological Institute at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, joins host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill to explore the intricacies of these procedures, as well as the outcomes: how do the results of minimally invasive spine surgery compare with the more traditional open procedure? Dr. Holman also takes a look ahead, envisioning the technologies and techniques of future minimally invasive spine procedures.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurosarcoidosis Nov 11, 2008

Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD
Guest: David R. Spiegel, MD

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease most commonly affecting lung, lymph nodes, eyes and skin. Neurosarcoidosis is not an infrequent complication. Host Dr. Leslie Lundt welcomes Dr. David Spiegel, associate professor of clinical psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the consultation-liaison service at Eastern Virginia Medical School, to review the diagnosis and treatment of neurosarcoidosis.

Improving Physician Training in Addiction Medicine Nov 10, 2008

Guest: Daniel Alford, MD, MPH
Host: Mary Leuchars, MD

Current research from Boston Medical Center indicates that education in addiction medicine among American medical students and residents is largely inadequate. What is being done to ensure that patients at risk receive optimal medical care from appropriately trained personnel? Joining host Dr. Mary Leuchars is Dr. Daniel Alford, associate professor of medicine and director of Chief Resident Immersion Training in Addiction Medicine section of general internal medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. The topic of discussion is how to expand training in addiction medicine for young medical professionals, assessing the methods developed at Boston Medical Center.

Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation to Treat or Cure Disease Nov 10, 2008

Guest: Mitch Tyler
Host: Bruce Bloom, DDS, JD
Guest: Kurt Kaczmarek, PhD
Guest: Yuri Danilov, PhD

A number of illnesses are caused by central nervous system damage. Can a new method of non-invasive brain stimulation treat or cure disease? Join host Dr. Bruce Bloom as he discusses non-invasive neuromodulation of the central nervous system with senior scientists Dr. Kurt Kaczmarek and Dr. Yuri Danoliv, and Mitch Tyler, from the Tactile Communication and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The Future of Tinnitus Research and Treatment May 27, 2008

Guest: Richard Salvi, PhD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Dr. Richard Salvi, professor in the department of communicative disorders and sciences, and director of the Center for Hearing Deafness at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, outlines potentially fertile areas of research in our pursuit of more effective treatment regimens for tinnitus with host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill. We are still working toward a cure for the condition, but there have been major advances in our treatment of the physiologic and psychologic triggers for the condition. What are the most important investigational issues in the future of tinnitus research?

Advances in Treatment for Tinnitus May 27, 2008

Guest: Richard Salvi, PhD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Major advances in tinnitus research are making investigators very optimistic about our ability to treat the condition now and in the future. What are the most effective therapeutic measures for tinnitus? What are the specific mechanisms behind our various treatment options? Dr. Richard Salvi, professor in the department of communicative disorders and sciences, and director of the Center for Hearing Deafness at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, details our ongoing pursuit of optimal treatment strategies for tinnitus with host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill.

Tinnitus: A Disorder of the Ear or the Brain? May 27, 2008

Guest: Richard Salvi, PhD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

We're learning more about tinnitus at a steady clip, as researchers use newer imaging modalities to help us understand the origin of the condition, and consider lifestyle and behavioral modifications that may limit its effects. Host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill explores the main causes of tinnitus with Dr. Richard Salvi, professor in the department of communicative disorders and sciences, and director of the Center for Hearing Deafness at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine.

Tinnitus: The Everyday Toll on Our Patients May 27, 2008

Guest: Richard Salvi, PhD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

A neurological condition that can be highly distressing, tinnitus affects as much as fifteen percent of our population, according to some surveys. How should medical professionals counsel their patients on this condition? Are we moving closer to understanding the basic triggers of tinnitus? Dr. Richard Salvi, professor in the department of communicative disorders and sciences, and director of the Center for Hearing Deafness at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, joins host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill to discuss the impact of tinnitus on the daily lives of our patients.

Where There are No Psychiatrists May 05, 2008

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Guest: Vikram Patel, PhD

Dr. Vikram Patel, professor of international mental health and the Wellcome Trust Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, discusses a community model in developing countries that empowers patients with mental illness to use collaborative psychosocial intervention. In India, where there are 3,000 psychiatrists for 1 billion people, technicians can be trained to diagnose and treat depression and anxiety with cost-effective results. Hosted by Dr. Maurice Pickard.

Overlooking Global Mental Health May 05, 2008

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Guest: Vikram Patel, PhD

People with mental illness face enormous physical and social adversities on a daily basis. In developing countries, this issue becomes all the more prominent due to poor access to effective treatment. Because mental illness often begins to manifest earlier in life, efforts are ongoing across the globe to better integrate mental health with child and adolescent care. Dr. Vikram Patel, professor of international mental health and the Wellcome Trust Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, speaks to the importance of addressing mental illness in developing countries.

Early Alzheimer Screening Device: DETECT Jan 30, 2008

Guest: David Wright, MD
Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Our guest, Dr. David Wright shares news of a new device currently being tested to screen for mild congnitive impairment, one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer's. Is this a device you should have in your office? Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel to find out.

Overview of Movement Disorders Sep 27, 2007

Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD
Guest: Joseph Jankovic, MD

More than 40 million people are living with a movement disorder, chronic, often painful and debilitating conditions that negatively impact a person's quality of life. These neurological conditions include Parkinson's disease, tics and Tourette's syndrome, tremor, dystonia, spasticity and ataxia among others. Despite the prevalence, movement disorders still go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with some patients visiting more than 15 doctors over the course of five years before receiving a correct diagnosis. Host Dr. Leslie Lundt reviews movement disorders with Dr. Joeseph Jankovic.

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