Welcome to the 32th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications.

This episode features a discussion with first author Dr Philipp J Koch of the Brain article entitled: Neurotransmitter-informed connectivity maps and their application for outcome inference after stroke

We discuss a fascinating method to map neurotransmitter-informed brain network maps. From here, the authors examine two separate stroke cohorts and examine the degree of lesion-related disruption of these neurotransmitter connectomes. Of note, disproportionately high damage to dopamine-transporter–weighted networks consistently predicted worse functional recovery. This may lead to exciting therapeutic avenues.

Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the November 2025 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf185

This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Michael and Adam Handel, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.

Welcome to the 31th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications.

This episode features a discussion with first author Dr Ifrah Zawar of the Brain article entitled: The association of seizure control with neuropathology in dementia

We discuss an impressive post-mortem investigation of the link between seizures and the associated neuropathology of dementia. Higher tau and beta-amyloid burden is associated with Alzheimer's disease and also other forms of dementia. Listen as Dr Zawah discusses how seizures may drive neurodegeneration and that this, in turn, may lead to worse seizures and cognitive difficulties. This is an under-recognised and important problem in the clinical management of dementia.

Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the July 2025 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf017

This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Xin You Tai and Roberto Bellanti, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.

Welcome to the 30th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications.

This episode features a discussion with senior author Professor Gabor G Kovacs of the Brain article entitled: Midbrain cytotoxic T cells as a distinct neuropathological feature of progressive supranuclear palsy

Listen to the fascinating insights exploring the autoimmune side of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) following identification of cytotoxic T cells within the mid-brain of PSP post-mortem tissue. The pattern of T cells appears to follow both temporal progression of underlying PSP and may also relate to rate of disease progression. Professor Kovacs discusses potential autoimmune treatment in a neurodegenerative disorder, such as PSP, and others.

Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the August 2025 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf135

This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by David Michael and Adam Handel, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.