Episode 128 | Functional Cognitive Disorder – With Dr. Laura McWhirter
This episode is a conversation about functional cognitive disorder (FCD) with Dr. Laura McWhirter. The discussion covers preliminary diagnostic criteria, internal inconsistency, epidemiology, clinical features, differential diagnosis with neurodegenerative diseases, common diagnostic pitfalls, etiology/mechanism, metacognition, subjective cognitive concerns, objective cognitive testing, performance validity, genetics and neurobiology, and pushback against FCD as a diagnosis.
Episode 126 | Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
In this episode, we discuss the long-term cognitive and mental health effects of sport related concussion, which includes an in depth conversation about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), with Dr. Nyaz Didehbani. Specific topics covered include methodological limitations of the literature on long-term effects of concussion, risk of neurodegenerative diseases from TBI (mild to severe), and CTE history, neuropathology, clinical symptoms, and sociocultural/sociopolitical influences.
Episode 124 | The Neuropsychology of Addiction – With Dr. Antonio Verdejo-Garcia
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Antonio Verdejo-Garcia about the neuropsychology of addiction. We cover addiction epidemiology, the syndrome model, neurobiology, transdiagnostic constructs such as compulsivity, behavioral addictions, cognitive profiles linked to substances of abuse, and behavioral, pharmacological, and cognitive treatments for people with addictions.
Episode 122 | Parkinson’s Disease – With Dr. Sara Schaefer
This episode is a wide ranging discussion of Parkinson’s disease, with Dr. Sara Schaefer. The conversation begins with basic facts, features, and concepts, and then moves into more complex topics, while covering many critical factors for neuropsychologists to consider. It includes a focus on diagnosis/symptoms, epidemiology, core neuropathology, neurodiagnostic approaches, risk factors (e.g., REM behavior disorder), nonmotor features (e.g., autonomic, neuropsychiatric, cognitive), subtypes, and treatment approaches.
Episode 106 | Sport Related Concussion – With Dr. Michael McCrea
n this episode, we speak with Dr. Michael McCrea about sport related concussion. We focus on definition, pathophysiology, recognition/diagnosis, biomarkers, (re)evaluation, recovery, rehabilitation, and return to sport following sport concussion. We also touch upon long-term effects of repeated sport concussion on long-term cognition and mental health.
Episode 120 | Apathy and Agitation in Neurodegenerative Diseases – With Dr. Krista Lanctôt
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Krista Lanctôt about neuropsychiatric symptoms in older adults with neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on apathy and agitation. The discussion covers definitions, diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, methods of assessment, relation to degenerative neuropathology, and various treatment approaches.
Episode 118 | Ecological Validity and Technology in Neuropsychology – With Dr. Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe
This episode is a conversation with Dr. Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe about ecological validity, with a focus on methods for capitalizing on digital technologies to maximize ecological validity in neuropsychology. We cover definitions, methods for assessing ecological validity, naturalistic assessment, smart homes, sensors, privacy and security, and a digital memory notebook.
Episode 116 | Brain Health in Adults – With Dr. Vonetta Dotson
This episode is a broad overview of brain health in adults. We discuss methods for encouraging positive brain health behavior change in our patients, how to help patients who have little to no motivation for change (“precontemplation” stage), the importance of tailoring feedback to a patient’s level of health literacy, research support for various forms of brain health (e.g., sleep, nutrition, physical activity), barriers to brain health behavior change (e.g., SES and the physical environment), the relationship between brain health and mental health, and advocacy work in the brain health space.
Episode 114 | Loneliness – With Dr. Ellen Lee
In this episode, we discuss loneliness with Dr. Ellen Lee. We cover definitions, epidemiology, various assessment methods (including digital technology), relationships with age, sex/gender, race/ethnicity, and culture, overall physical, cognitive, and mental health effects, and interventions to reduce loneliness.
Episode 112 | Functional (Nonepileptic) Seizures – With Dr. W. Curt LaFrance Jr.
In this episode, we speak with Dr. W. Curt LaFrance about functional (nonepileptic seizures). We cover epidemiology, overlap and differences with regard to epilepsy, negative health outcomes, co-occurring psychological and neurological factors, an etiological framework, cognitive profiles, and treatment. We also discuss general overlap across neurology and psychiatry, as well as future directions in research on functional seizures.