In this episode, we will focus on the latest in the research on ALS. ALS remains a devastating disease, but the field is now at an inflection point with a growing pipeline of precision therapies, trial-ready sites, and a new generation of clinician scientists - yet barriers persist. There is disease heterogeneity, limited trial access for patients, and rising development costs. For an update on ALS clinical trials and the Healey ALS MyMatch program, a centralized platform that matches participants to trials, we spoke with Dr. Suma Babu. Dr. Suma Babu is an associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and co-director of the Neurological Clinical Research Institute at Mass General Brigham. She was interviewed by Dr. Ryan Jacobson, an associate professor of neurology at Rush University.

Disclosure: This episode does not award CME.

ANA Investigates is the official podcast of the American Neurological Association, featuring conversations that highlight the latest discoveries, controversies, and trends in academic neurology. After the successful release of over 80 podcast episodes, In today's episode, we'll explore the creation and evolution of the ANA Investigates podcast since its launch in September 2019. We have the privilege of hosting four legends who were instrumental in bringing this podcast to life.

First, Dr. Adeline Goss, Assistant Professor at Highland Hospital in Oakland, California, whose background as a radio host uniquely positioned her to serve as ANA investigates Executive Producer for six years.

We are also joined by Dr. Megan Richie, Associate Professor at UCSF, and Dr. Romer Geocadin, Professor at Johns Hopkins—both of whom played central roles in shaping the podcast from its earliest days through its evolution.

Finally, we're joined by Jennifer Hurley, Education and Accreditation Manager for the American Neurological Association, who has been integral to the editing, production, and sustained success of every single episode.

Disclosures: This episode does not award CME credit.

The diagnosis and management of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is evolving. However, skepticism about this diagnosis persists among neurologists based upon lack of disease specific pathology, overlap with other neurodegenerative processes, and a lack of uniform diagnostic criteria. Also, prior reports of minimal or transient improvement after treatment with an invasive procedure and lack of high-quality studies has concerned some neurologists. We are joined by 2 experts in the field of movement disorders and CSF flow – Dr. Alberto Espay and Dr. Michael Williams – to discuss advances in our understanding of idiopathic NPH, the PENS trial, and evidence still needed to convince neurologists that NPH is clinical syndrome that warrants timely evaluation and treatment.

• Guest(s): Dr. Alberto Espay, Professor of Neurology at the University of Cincinnati; Dr. Michael Williams, Professor Neurology and Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington
• Interviewer: Dr. Kara Wyant, Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Michigan
• Disclosures:
  • Dr. Espay: Consultancies & Scientific Advisory Boards Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America (formerly, Neuroderm), Amneal, Acorda, Abbvie, Bial, Supernus (formerly, USWorldMeds), NeuroDiagnostics, Inc (SYNAPS Dx), Intrance Medical Systems, Inc., Merz, Praxis Precision Medicines, Citrus Health, and Herantis Pharma.
  • Dr. Williams: I am a paid consultant to Aesculap regarding devices to treat hydrocephalus
  • Dr. Wyant: Biovie - consulting, (NEW 8/2025) ongoing, UCB Pharma - research support, ended 6/2025, PhotoPharmics - research support, ongoing