eanCast: Weekly Neurology

Moderator: Yildiz Degirmenci (Istanbul, Türkiye) Guest: Marit Ruitenberg (Leiden, Netherlands) In this episode, Yıldız Değirmenci speaks with Marit Ruitenberg about the relationship between cognition and movement in neurodegenerative disorders. They discuss evidence showing that conditions traditionally classified as motor or cognitive often involve impairments across both domains, with examples from Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. The conversation highlights subtle cognitive and motor features that may be overlooked and emphasises the clinical relevance of integrated assessment for diagnosis, patient counselling, and understanding disease burden.

Moderator: Gabriela Rusin (Kraków, Poland) Guest: Jakub Antczak (Kraków, Poland) In this episode, Gabriela Rusin speaks with Jakub Antczak about non-invasive neuromodulation in neurology. They outline the principles of transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial electrical stimulation, emphasizing their role in modulating brain plasticity in network-based neurological disorders. The discussion reviews current clinical evidence across conditions such as stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, neuropathic pain, and Parkinson’s disease, highlighting variability in treatment response and key limitations. They also address practical considerations for clinical use, the importance of patient selection and combination with rehabilitation, and emerging techniques aimed at improving targeting and personalisation.

Moderator: Gabriela Rusin (Kraków, Poland) Guest: Jakub Antczak (Kraków, Poland) In this episode, Gabriela Rusin speaks with Jakub Antczak about the role of nerve ultrasound in neuromuscular diagnostics. The growing popularity of this method is rapidly transforming the field of neurology. In combination with nerve conduction studies and electromyography, it provides insight into both the function and the structure of peripheral nerves. They discuss the technical foundations of neuromuscular ultrasound as well as key clinical indications (neuropathies, trauma, plexopathies, root lesions, etc.) and real-world applications. Prof. Antczak shares his experience and practical tips for clinicians interested in incorporating peripheral nerve ultrasound into their practice.

Moderator: Caterina Leone (Rome, Italy) Guest: Andrea Truini (Rome, Italy) In this episode, Caterina Leone speaks with Andrea Truini about small fibre neuropathy, a frequently under-recognised condition with a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. They discuss key clinical features, including neuropathic pain and autonomic symptoms, and explain why routine nerve conduction studies are often normal. The conversation highlights the role and limitations of skin biopsy and functional testing, the importance of identifying underlying causes, and practical approaches to diagnosis and management with realistic treatment expectations.

Moderator: Rob Hadden (London, United Kingdom) Guest: Claudia Sommer (Würzburg, Germany) In this episode, Rob Hadden and Claudia Sommer discuss ongoing challenges in treating CIDP. While most patients benefit from current therapies, some remain treatment-refractory, driving the need for innovation. They highlight emerging response definitions, promising FcRn and complement inhibitors, and the importance of individualized care and serum biomarkers for improving patient outcomes. This episode has been supported by an educational grant from argenx. The programme has not been influenced in any way by its supporter.

Moderator: Yilidz Degirmenci (Istanbul, Türkiye) Guest: Hanneke Hulst (Auckland, New Zealand) In this episode, Yıldız Değirmenci speaks with Hanneke Hulst about cognitive problems in multiple sclerosis, an often invisible but highly disabling aspect of the disease. They discuss how common cognitive impairment is in MS, the domains most frequently affected, particularly information processing speed and memory, and the underlying white and gray matter pathology. The conversation highlights the real-world impact on work, relationships, and quality of life, as well as practical strategies for early detection, screening, and cognitive support in clinical practice.

Moderator: Alfonso Magliacano (Florence, Italy) Guest: Charlène Aubinet (Liege, Belgium) In this episode, Alfonso Magliacano is joined by Charlène Aubinet to examine how language and communication impairments shape the assessment and recovery of patients emerging from coma. They discuss the clinical distinctions between unresponsive wakefulness syndrome and the minimally conscious state, highlighting how aphasia and other comorbidities can obscure signs of awareness and lead to misdiagnosis. Dr. Aubinet outlines emerging tools, from eye-tracking assessments to EEG and fMRI markers, that help detect residual language processing even without behavioral responses. The conversation also explores how early linguistic abilities can serve as prognostic indicators, the practical challenges faced by speech therapists, and the evidence that some language processing may persist even in states of severely impaired consciousness, with important clinical and ethical implications.

Moderator: Justyna Paprocka (Katowice, Poland) Guests: Stephan Rüegg (Basel, Switzerland), Markus Leitinger (Salzburg, Austria) In this episode, Justyna Paprocka welcomes Stefan Rüegg and Markus Leitinger to examine how clinicians can approach emergency EEG in suspected non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). They discuss NCSE epidemiology, the importance of continuous EEG, and the use of structured diagnostic frameworks including the Salzburg criteria and the 2HELPS2B score. The conversation highlights practical strategies such as IV anti-seizure medication trials, pitfalls in benzodiazepine use, and the complexities of distinguishing NCSE from encephalopathy. The experts also address EEG interpretation in post-anoxic patients and recommend foundational literature for early-career neurologists.

Moderator: Messud Ashina (Copenhagen, Denmark) Guests: Theodoros Mavridis (Dublin, Ireland), Oxana Grosu (Chișinău, Moldova) In this episode, Messud Ashina is joined by Theodoros Mavridis and Oxana Grosu to discuss the latest advances in pain and headache medicine, as highlighted in the EAN Pain and Headache Panels' Yearbook chapters. The conversation dives into recent breakthroughs in the pathophysiology of pain and headaches, as well as cutting-edge approaches to prevention and treatment. The experts explore how new research is influencing clinical practice, with a focus on the synergies between pain and headache management. They also examine emerging trends, potential future directions, and the impact of these developments on patient care.

Moderator: Theodoros Mavridis (Dublin, Ireland) Guests: Diana Aguiar de Sousa (Lisbon, Portugal), Mira Katan (Basel, Switzerland) Embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) continues to challenge clinicians as its definition and diagnostic approach evolve. In this episode, Theodoros Mavridis is joined by Diana Aguiar de Sousa and Mira Katan. They explore the epidemiological, clinical and mechanistic nuances of ESUS, discuss insights gained from major clinical trials, and examine current therapeutic strategies. The conversation also highlights advances in detecting covert embolic sources, the emerging relevance of atrial myopathy, the role of PFO closure, and the promise of biomarkers in shaping future patient care.