PODCAST · health
Practical Neurology Podcast
by BMJ Group
The Practical Neurology Podcast is the essential guide for the everyday life of all neurologists. Just like our journal Practical Neurology, this podcast is useful for everyone who sees neurological patients and who wants to keep up-to-date and safe in managing them. In other words, this is a podcast for jobbing neurologists who plough through the tension headaches and funny turns week in and week out. Subscribe to enjoy deep dives into each journal issue with editors Prof. Philip Smith and Dr. Geraint Fuller, discussions on recent case reports with Prof. Martin Turner, and Editor’s Choice article discussions between authors and Dr. Amy Ross Russell. Practical Neurology - pn.bmj.com - is included as part of a subscription to JNNP and provided in print to all members of the Association of British Neurologists.* The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. The content of this podcast does not constitute medical advice and it is not intended to function as a substitute for
Episodes
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Adoptive immunotherapy, updated MS criteria, and misleading meters - Editors' Highlights October 2026
A rare sight on the podcast: a paper from the cutting edge of practice, with the novel use of CAR-T cells in treating neurological diseases. Editors Phil Smith and Geraint Fuller bring a selection of papers from the October 2026 issue of the journal to discuss. Returning to the more commonplace,...
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Mystifying malabsorption, and brain stem syndromes - Case Reports August 2026
Diet continues to be a growing presence in the neurological diagnoses cropping up for the Case Reports team, returning again after its previous appearance with gastric sleeves. The first case (1:25), from UCLH in London, is that of a 49-yo woman, presenting with a history of worsening…
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Mapping the blindspot: papilloedema for neurologists
Space, the final frontier. A new domain for the podcast opens, as we learn how astronauts are preparing for Mars transit by lying in bed. But first - the ophthalmology department refers a patient with a swollen optic disc. When is it papilloedema, and when is it not? And what does that have to do...
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Papilloedema, Parkinson's follow-up, and subhairline EEG - Editors' Highlights August 2026
The latest highlights from the journal will deliver confidence when managing complex everyday presentations. In this podcast for the August 2026 issue of Practical Neurology, co-editors Phil Smith and Geraint Fuller present the key highlights from a cracking 100-page edition spanning the full...
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Refractory epilepsy surgery, and the paradox of autoimmune encephalitis - live from the ABN Meeting 2026
In this special episode coming live from the Association of British Neurologists (ABN) annual meeting in Birmingham, Practical Neurology co-editors Phil Smith and Geraint Fuller join hosts Ruth Wood and Babak Soleimani to discuss the perennial clinical and educational value of case reports in...
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Not all insomnia is insomnia: a guide to sleep neurology
What's the real difference between a night owl and a morning lark? The Editors' Choice paper for the June 2026 issue of Practical Neurology is a review of all the ways sleep intersects with neurological practice. Last author Prof. Guy Leschziner¹ joins PN podcast editor Dr. Amy Ross Russell to…
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Drug-induced seizures, limb-shaking, and holistic myasthenia treatment - Editors' Highlights June 2026
The latest highlights from the journal are set to give confidence when trying something new. In this podcast for the June 2026 issue of Practical Neurology, co-editors Phil Smith and Geraint Fuller bring a distillation of the wisdom found in the journal's pages. They explain the crucial role of a...
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Perplexing keladophilia and post-surgical symptoms - Case Reports April 2026
It's the return of Merlin. Not the birdsong identification app this time, but the Rolls-Royce Merlin - engine of the historic Supermarine Spitfire warplane. The Case Reports trio are faced with another set of patient puzzles to work through in this latest episode. In the first case (1:25), a…
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Radiologically isolated syndrome: managing the preclinical phase of MS
What should a neurologist do when a routine MRI for migraine reveals incidental white matter lesions that look remarkably like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), despite the patient having no neurological symptoms? The Editors' Choice paper for the April 2026 issue of Practical Neurology is a practical…
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Bone health in Neurology: managing the fracture risk
In this Practical Neurology bonus international podcast linked to the February issue, host Alasdair Coles (Cambridge, UK) is joined by movement disorder specialist Dr. Ashley Paul (Johns Hopkins, US) and epilepsy expert Dr. Lata Vadlamudi (Brisbane, Australia) to discuss the integration of bone...
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Head knocks in athletes, the clock drawing test, and generic medications - Editors' Highlights April 2026
As with any Darwinian subject, neurology is under constant evolution. This podcast for the April 2026 issue of Practical Neurology has co-editors Phil Smith and Geraint Fuller taking a look at some intriguing specimens from the neurological field. Populating the menagerie for this episode are the...
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Recurring migraine, and unintentional weight loss - Case Reports February 2026
What unsuspecting dangers lie within a garden compost bin? The Case Reports team are back to uncover a new pair of neurological mysteries. The first case this episode (1:24) comes from Edinburgh, centred on an 88-yo woman who presents with headache and eye-pain on her right side. She receives an...
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A face in the hedge: Dementia with Lewy bodies
Many patients will affirm seeing clouds shaped like animals or other similar phenomena, which is why confirming pareidolia (seeing meaningful images in meaningless visual stimuli) is such a tricky symptom in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). While it may not be exclusive to DLB, placing such...
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Mind the gap, passage hallucinations, and conducting on cue - Editors' Highlights February 2026
When a patient says, "I biffed the car," how should that be translated? Puzzles like this represent the gap between description and diagnosis, and are a critical part of neurological practice. In this podcast for the February 2026 issue of Practical Neurology, editors Phil Smith and Geraint…
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The eye as a snowglobe: Uveitis for neurologists
Eye pain can be a source of serious concern for patients, bringing worries about their eyesight. While uveitis is far from the only source of ocular pain, in many presentations of the condition it is a feature. In this Editors' Choice podcast, ophthalmic surgeon Mr. Harry Petrushkin¹ ² and...
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Unusual emboli, and software versus hardware - Case Reports December 2025
Another set of intriguing cases from the latest issue of the journal, pored over by the Case Reports team. In the first case, a 24-yo man presents acutely with reduced consciousness, following 3 days of right-sided headache. His mother reports sudden behavioural changes with jerky movements and...
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Drugs of misuse: a contemporary guide
Neurology requires some detective work at times, and identifying the patterns of symptoms associated with drug misuse can be a tricky mystery indeed. For this episode, we're receiving a masterclass from Dr. Robin Howard¹ on the wide variety of drugs that bring patients into hospital, as well as…
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Prudent scanning, masquerade syndromes, and spotting the tadpole - Editors' Highlights December 2025
Who do we need to scan? Behind the constant considerations of irradiation risk and resource usage, there is nuance to be found. Parkinson's disease - being a clinical diagnosis - doesn't suggest a need for imaging, yet one case in this issue argues that should not be an absolute rule. Another…
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Unihemispheric atrophy, and a culinary culprit - Case Reports Oct 2025
Two new cases from the latest issue of the journal present the podcast team with some rare explanations, and a chance to test yourself on food trivia. In the first case (1:18), from Malaysia, a 49-yo left-handed woman develops 10 days of recurrent left-sided focal facial seizures. These seizures...
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Rethinking Myasthenia Gravis: A global perspective on ABN's latest guidelines
In this special international episode, we explore the 2025 update of the Association of British Neurologists’ guidelines on managing autoimmune myasthenia gravis. Ten years after the previous recommendations, significant changes have been introduced. We emphasise the importance of daily steroids,...
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The birdsong of the brain, cognitive flexibility, and a guideline update - Editors' Highlights October 2025
Another packed episode for this month's issue of the journal. There's a special emphasis on case reports this time, showing their value as a way to understand the rarely encountered. For the more common conditions there are guidelines, and the editors give you an introduction to the new ABN...
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Dangers from the deep, and prolonged pituitary inflammation - Case Reports August 2025
The wonders of the animal kingdom make an absorbing reappearance this episode, so grab your scuba mask before listening - or your chef’s hat. The first case this month is the kind that even an experienced neurologist would be nervous to encounter (1:35). A holidaymaker in his sixties presents to...
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Health anxiety: patient paradoxes and successful treatment
"This is a disorder that you don't want to miss", says Prof. Jon Stone¹, describing the condition at the heart of this episode, alongside co-author Dr. Huw Green². Their paper "Health anxiety in a neurological setting" is the subject of the Editors' Choice podcast for the August 2025 issue…
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Electrolyte abnormalities, unhelpful reassurance, and the essence of tremor - Editors' Highlights August 2025
Simplification is everything - that's the message for the latest issue of the journal. Assisted by a cast of characters including Albert Einstein and deep sea sponges, your editors Phil Smith and Geraint Fuller take on topics from hyponatraemia to health anxiety. You'll also find bread and butter...
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An international approach to the use of immunoglobulin
In the latest bonus podcast, the practical use of intravenous immunoglobulin is discussed with perspectives from three continents. Participants: Professor Alasdair Coles is Head of Department for Clinical Neuroscience and also Co-Director of the Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair, UK. Dr. Lynette...
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The risks of "bariatric tourism", and photophobia with a pustular rash - Case Reports June 2025
Gastric sleeve surgery is the key feature of a pair of recent cases from the journal, which start this episode (1:17). Both cases feature 25-yo women with presentations in common: paraesthesia and limb weakness, along with disordered eye movement. Their symptoms arose soon after the gastrectomy...
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New, complicated and evolving: IgG4-related disease
A neuroinflammatory disorder with the potential to affect virtually any organ in the body, IgG4-related disease is a challenge on many fronts. The latest Editors' Choice paper in the June 2025 issue takes on this systemic disease, presenting a treatment algorithm for its management. This episode,...
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Nutritional perils, the immunoglobulin paradox, and a flickering candle - Editors' Highlights June 2025
This episode’s theme is new diseases, whether they are newly described, or old diseases back in a new form. We start off with IgG4-related disease, a chronic multisystem disorder that is still being understood. Then there is a genetics paper on repeat expansion disorders, a group of conditions...
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Fragmented sleep with delusions of theft, and falls after eye shingles - Case Reports April 2025
Two wide open cases from the latest issue of the journal. Starting with a case from Italy (1:18), of a 63-yo man having a history of behavioural and cognitive problems since retiring. His many changes included low mood, significant weight loss, and problems with sleep and temperature regulation.…
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How do new cancer drugs affect our brains? A practical guide to immune checkpoint inhibitors
Immune checkpoint inhibitors can significantly improve cancer survival rates. But resulting immune-related toxicities are common, requiring multidisciplinary cooperation between oncology and neurology. This episode, PN's podcast editor Dr. Amy Ross Russell speaks with a panel of experts on the...
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Guidelines on disease-modifying treatment in MS: a decade-long update
The latest guidelines on disease-modifying treatment in multiple sclerosis (MS) from the Association of British Neurologists is discussed in this intercontinental podcast with perspectives from the UK, the USA, and Australia. Participants: Professor Alasdair Coles is Head of Department for…
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Localisation myths, brain fog, and small fibre neuropathies - Editors' Highlights April 2025
It's a podcast of pairs this time, for the latest issue of the journal. There's two hosts, two halves of the brain, two sides to a clinical debate, and two themes to the episode itself. Leading off is a discussion on peripheral neurology, taking a look at the editors' choice paper on immune...
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Intestinal obstruction, and new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) - Case Reports February 2025
A puzzling pair of Case Reports from the most recent issue of the journal. First up (1:35) is a man in his mid-fifties, presenting with lumbar spine fractures, which then developed into confusion, vomiting, and abdominal pain. An x-ray showed dilated intestinal loops and his blood sodium levels...
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Stiff-person syndrome
Intermittent painful spasms, stiffness and rigidity of the proximal and truncal muscles are only a few symptoms of the relatively uncommon Stiff-person syndrome (SPS). In this podcast, we delve into the characteristics and diagnosis of this complex autoimmune condition. PN's podcast editor Dr.…
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Posterior cortical atrophy, mascara staining, and careers in stroke - Editors' Highlights February 2025
The practice of neurology is constantly changing, and the papers in this issue exemplify that trend. On this episode, journal editors Dr. Geraint Fuller and Prof. Philip Smith discuss their highlights from the latest issue of Practical Neurology, for February 2025. They begin with the editors'...
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Episodic headaches after travel, and declining cognition with treated HIV - Case Reports
Two more fascinating Case Reports from the latest issue of the journal. The first case (1:15) is of a 57-yo woman, with an intermittent posterior headache, which had an associated bilateral pressure-like sensation. Her symptoms had begun on a recent trip to Sri Lanka....
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Championing general neurology
It’s the Christmas Special for 2024! Joining Amy in the studio is Dr. Steven Lewis. Current secretary general of the World Federation of Neurology, Steven is based in the United States, where he works as a general neurologist. Their conversation builds on a recent article by Dr. Bas Bloem…
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Diagnosing neuromuscular junction disorders: red flags and atypical presentations
The often challenging diagnosis of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) disorders can be explained by suspicious red flags for the key differential diagnoses (mimics) and atypical presentations (chameleons). In the latest Editor's Choice paper podcast, PN's podcast editor Dr. Amy Ross Russell interviews…
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Upward tingling, racing glaucoma and the toppling tower of frailty - Editors’ Highlights December 2024
Neuromuscular junction disorders can present in a variety of challenging ways, with the potential to mislead neurologists. Journal editors Prof. Philip Smith and Dr. Geraint Fuller begin with this subject as they talk through the latest issue of Practical Neurology, for December 2024. The...
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Postpartum paraesthesia, and myasthenia with melanoma - Case Reports
The immune system is a recurring feature in the cases discussed in this edition of the Case Reports podcast. The first paper details the cases of two young women, sisters, presenting with overlapping conditions but resulting in tragically different outcomes (1:16). Both were in their twenties…
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Neurotoxicology’s top offenders
"Could this presenting syndrome be caused by a neurotoxin?" Oftentimes neurologists will pass over toxins when diagnosing. Yet disease caused by neurotoxins is widespread, with many having quite typical syndromes. In the studio to discuss this is the first author of the October 2024 Editors'…
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Oligoclonal bands, methotrexate use, and inconclusive cases - Editors’ Highlights October 2024
The surgical sieve and Occam's razor may sound like familiar diagnostic metaphors, but what about Crabtree's bludgeon? These are just a few of the tools touched on by journal editors Prof. Philip Smith and Dr. Geraint Fuller, as they discuss the October 2024 issue of Practical Neurology. They…
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Midnight tetraparesis, and morning dysarthria - Case Reports
This month's cases both feature sudden onset neurological syndromes. The first case (1:23) is that of a 26-yo Brazilian man who awoke from sleep with weakness in all four limbs. The signs suggest a possibility of Guillain-Barré syndrome or polio. A normal cranial nerve examination follows, with…
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Lessons and pitfalls of whole genome sequencing
Genetic testing is a useful tool for any practising neurologist, but they must know how to interpret the results. This Editors' Choice podcast features two experts on the subject, Prof. Mary Reilly¹ and Dr. Christopher Record¹. They're in the studio to talk through their paper, covering the...
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Charcot-Marie-Tooth, steroid safety, and dusting off the old optokinetic drum - Editors’ Highlights June 2024
Journal editors Prof. Philip Smith and Dr. Geraint Fuller discuss the August 2024 issue of Practical Neurology, with room for mystery, history and practical advice. In particular, they cover topics like whole genome sequencing, foot surgery for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, safe prescribing in...
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Vacant spells, and bodybuilding hazards - Case Reports
Two highly unusual cases in this edition of Case Reports. The first case describes a 64-yo woman presenting to the emergency department with a five day history of bizarre behaviours (1:45). A BBC radio show prompts her, out of character, to reflect aloud about her childhood, and she experiences...
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Why are brain banks so important, and what can they tell us?
Neurodegenerative disease is the subject of this month's Editors' Choice podcast, with Dr. Patrick Cullinane¹ and Dr. Zane Jaunmuktane.¹ They join the podcast for an overview of brain examination, explaining the process of protein misfolding, the spread of pathology through the brain, and what…
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Valproate restriction, sexual dysfunction, and neuropathology - Editors’ Highlights June 2024
Journal editors Prof. Philip Smith and Dr. Geraint Fuller discuss the June 2024 issue of Practical Neurology, covering some of the interesting articles published this month. A number of difficult challenges and tradeoffs are featured, relating to recent men-only guidance for sodium valproate use,...
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Ptosis with paroxysmal cough, and ”just another kinase” - Case Reports
The first of this episode's two case reports features a 62-yo man, referred from ophthalmology with a drooping eyelid, chronic coughing, and excess sweating in the face provoked by eating (1:21). An MR scan finds abnormal deposits in his brain - (link) The second report describes two patients...
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A new guideline for spontaneous intracranial hypotension
The first multidisciplinary consensus guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) has recently been published by the UK SIH Specialist Interest Group. Group members Prof. Manjit Matharu (1), Dr. Indran Davagnanam (2), and Mr. Parag Sayal (3) join Dr.…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Practical Neurology Podcast is the essential guide for the everyday life of all neurologists. Just like our journal Practical Neurology, this podcast is useful for everyone who sees neurological patients and who wants to keep up-to-date and safe in managing them. In other words, this is a podcast for jobbing neurologists who plough through the tension headaches and funny turns week in and week out. Subscribe to enjoy deep dives into each journal issue with editors Prof. Philip Smith and Dr. Geraint Fuller, discussions on recent case reports with Prof. Martin Turner, and Editor’s Choice article discussions between authors and Dr. Amy Ross Russell. Practical Neurology - pn.bmj.com - is included as part of a subscription to JNNP and provided in print to all members of the Association of British Neurologists.* The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. The content of this podcast does not constitute medical advice and it is not intended to function as a substitute for
HOSTED BY
BMJ Group
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Practical Neurology Podcast have?
Practical Neurology Podcast currently has 132 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Practical Neurology Podcast about?
The Practical Neurology Podcast is the essential guide for the everyday life of all neurologists. Just like our journal Practical Neurology, this podcast is useful for everyone who sees neurological patients and who wants to keep up-to-date and safe in managing them. In other words, this is a...
How often does Practical Neurology Podcast release new episodes?
Practical Neurology Podcast publishes regularly with 132 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Practical Neurology Podcast?
You can listen to Practical Neurology Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Practical Neurology Podcast?
Practical Neurology Podcast is created and hosted by BMJ Group.
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