The Brain Podcast

Welcome to the 38th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. 
This episode features a discussion with senior author Professor Gültekin Tamgüney of the Brain article entitled: Vaccines mimicking conformational epitopes on α-synuclein fibrils provide immunity to Parkinson's disease
We discuss the an exciting approach of structurally engineering fungal proteins to mimic the specific conformational epitopes of pathological alpha-synuclein fibrils. The authors develop a precise method for inducing targeted immunity against synucleinopathies. In vivo testing demonstrated efficacy, with immunized models achieving up to a 42% extension in survival along with robust antibody recognition of human Parkinson's and Lewy body tissues. This study offers a proof-of-concept for human neurodegenerative disease therapeutics.
Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the August 2026 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awag099
This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Michael David and Adam Handel, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.

Welcome to the 37th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. 
This episode features a discussion with first author Dr Tobias Moser of the Brain article entitled: Propionic acid in multiple sclerosis: a phase 2b, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial
We discuss the an exciting results...
Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the July 2026 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awag099
This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Xin You Tai and Alasdair Coles, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.

Welcome to the 36th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. 
This episode features a discussion with senior author Dr Carsten Finke of the Brain article entitled: Brain atrophy patterns in anti-IgLON5 disease
We discuss a fascinating article which examines clinical and imaging data related to anti-Iglon5 disease. This valuable contribution to our understanding of this rare disease comprises data collected across multiple sites. Results identified distinct atrophy patterns in anti-IgLON5 disease, which closely mirror sites of pathophysiologic processes, including autoantibody binding and tau deposition.
Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the March 2026 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf256
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 35th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. 
This episode features a discussion with first author Dr Laetitia Marcadet and senior author Chantelle F Sephton of the Brain article entitled: Targeting lipid droplets in FUS-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mitigates neuronal and astrocytic lipotoxicity.
We discuss the interest concept of abnormal cellular energy metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and, more broadly, across other neurodegenerative and neurological conditions. The authors outline their combined model of neuronal and, more uniquely, astrocytic compartments to identify response to lipid droplet targeting.
Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the Feb 2026 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf404
This episode was co-hosted, edited and produced by Roberto Bellanti and Andreas Thermisticleous, co-produced by Xin You Tai and Antonia Johnston, original music by Ammar Al-Chalabi.

Welcome to the 34th episode of The Brain Podcast - the official podcast of the journals Brain and Brain Communications. 
This episode features a discussion with first author Dr Lorenzo Pini of the Brain article entitled: Brain connectivity as a new target for Alzheimer's disease therapy?
We discuss a fascinating review into the literature examing brain connectivity in Alzheimer's disease as a biomarker for symptom progression, diagnosis and monitoring response to treatment. Further, they discuss whether brain stimulation to target connectivity may have therapeutic opportunities. The article also features a discussion around digital twins to facilitate Alzheimer's research - well worth a read!
Check out the full article on the Brain website as part of the Feb 2026 issue: https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf404
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.