This podcast explores the diverse perspectives of neurology. It consists of monologues and conversations with neurologists, neuroscientists, neuroscience journalists and neurology patients who have written accessible books on the brain and its disorders.
In this podcast I use touching patient anecdotes to explore the characteristic and devastating manifestations of motor neurone disease, such as fasciculations and spasticity. I also explore the relentless progression of the disease. I also discuss the current understanding of the risk factors and mimics of the disease, and the challenges of making the diagnosis. I also covered the palliative treatments that are available, and the way many patients face up to the inevitable mortality of the disease.
In this episode I explore the patient perspective of multiple sclerosis with Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, a Professor of English Literature and a Fellow of Maudlyn College, Oxford. He narrated his experience of the symptoms of MS in his memoir titled Metamorphosis: A Life in Pieces. We also reviewed the investigations and treatments he underwent, including the cutting-edge stem cell transplantation. He also discusses the physical and emotional burdens of the disease, and how he has adapted to live a fully functional life. Apart from Metamorphosis, his other books include Becoming Dickens (2011), which was awarded the Duff Cooper Prize; The Story of Alice (2015), which was shortlisted for the Costa Prize; and The Turning Point (2021). He writes regularly for publications including the Times, Spectator, and Literary Review, and he also appears in radio and television programmes including Start the Week, the Today Programme, BBC Breakfast, and The Culture Show. Robert Douglas-Fairhurst has acted as the historical consultant on BBC productions of Jane Eyre, Emma, Great Expectations and Dickensian, and both of the Enola Holmes films for Netflix.
In this episode, I discuss multiple sclerosis with leading neurologist Stephen Hauser. We explore his recent autobiography in which he narrates his long career in medicine and his breakthroughs in the field of multiple sclerosis. Stephen also explains how his life experiences determined his career choices. Stephen Hauser is director the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, linking the clinical and basic neurosciences at UCSF to accelerate research against neurologic diseases. Dr. Hauser’s research has advanced our understanding of the genetics, immunology, and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). His work led to the development of B cell therapies for MS patients, representing a powerful new approach for relapsing forms of the disease and the first therapy of proven value for progressive MS. Dr. Hauser is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Academy of Physicians. He is an editor of the textbook Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. Previously chairman of the Department of Neurology at UCSF for 25 years, he has also served as President of the American Neurological Association, President of the Medical Staff at UCSF, Chair of the Research Advisory Committee for the VA, and editor-in-chief of Annals of Neurology. Dr. Hauser has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Jacob Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award; John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research (2008); Charcot Award (2013); Taubman Prize for Excellence in Translational Medical Research (2017); and Scientific Breakthrough Award from the American Brain Foundation (2022).
In this episode, I explore the manifestations and management of multiple sclerosis. I use powerful patient memoirs, such as that of Ann Romney, to illustrate the diversity of presentations and variants of this ubiquitous and devastating neuroinflammatory brain disease. I also trace the history of multiple sclerosis with references to Lidwina, the patron saint of figure skaters. I also narrate the role played by French neurologist Jean -Martin Charcot in defining the disorder, starting with his observations of his own maid. I also explore the risk factors, investigations, and increasing range of treatments now available for the disease.
