Podcast Episode 128 | Functional Cognitive Disorder – With Dr. Laura McWhirter

Laura McWhirter graduated MBChB from the University of Edinburgh in 2008, having taken an unusual route to medicine after a degree in music from the University of York in 2001.  Dr McWhirter completed specialist training in General Adult and Liaison Psychiatry in South East Scotland in June 2018. She has been active in neuropsychiatry research […]

Podcast 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 […]

Podcast 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.

Podcast 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Episode 108 | Functional Neurological Disorders – With Dr. Mark Hallett

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Mark Hallett about functional neurological disorders (FNDs). We cover the history, epidemiology, symptomatology, and pathophysiology of FNDs. We touch on the issue of “lumping versus splitting,” controversies in the literature, the need for better training on FNDs in medicine and psychology, and currently available treatments, among other topics.

Episode 106 | Sport Related Concussion – With Dr. Michael McCrea

In 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.