Focus on Neurology and Psychiatry

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.