BrainWaves #88 Phenomenon

MedLink Neurology Podcast is delighted to feature selected episodes from BrainWaves, courtesy of James E Siegler MD, its originator and host. BrainWaves is an academic audio podcast whose mission is to educate medical providers through clinical cases and topical reviews in neurology, medicine, and the humanities, and episodes originally aired from 2016 to 2021. Originally released: December 7, 2017 This week on the show, we're discussing the science behind the fiction of George Malley, the protagonist of the 1996 classic, Phenomenon. Specifically, we ask the question, is there a disease out there that incidentally benefits the human organism? Maybe there is... Produced by James E Siegler. Music by Hyson, Ars Sonor, and Lee Rosevere. BrainWaves' podcasts and online content are intended for medical education only and should not be used for clinical decision-making. REFERENCES Costanzo JP, Lee RE Jr, Lortz PH. Glucose concentration regulates freeze tolerance in the wood frog Rana sylvatica. J Exp Biol 1993;181:245-55. PMID 8409827Moalem S, Weinberg ED, Percy ME. Hemochromatosis and the enigma of misplaced iron: implications for infectious disease and survival. Biometals 2004;17(2):135-9. PMID 15088940Nagasako EM, Oaklander AL, Dworkin RH. Congenital insensitivity to pain: an update. Pain 2003;101(3):213-9.  PMID 12583863Saloviita T, Ruusila L, Ruusila U. Incidence of Savant syndrome in Finland. Percept Mot Skills 2000;91(1):120-2. PMID 11011882  We believe that the principles expressed or implied in the podcast remain valid, but certain details may be superseded by evolving knowledge since the episode’s original release date.