ANA Investigates

The latest in neurology and neuroscience, each month from the ANA.
ANA members are offered the opportunity to claim AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Detailed information about CME is on OnDEC.
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ANA Investigates host & executive producer: Adeline Goss, MD, Highland Hospital
ANA Investigates episode producers & planners are members of the ANA’s Education Innovation Committee.
Most Recent Episodes
ANA Investigates At a time when support for basic and translational science needs a strong voice and the burden of neurological disease is growing, the ANA is the champion of neurological research and the ally of all physicians and scientists who strive to make a difference through careers that combine discovery, education, and clinical care. From advances in stroke and dementia to movement disorders and epilepsy, the American Neurological Association has been at the forefront of research and practice since 1875 as the premier professional society of academic neurologists and neuroscientists devoted to understanding and treating diseases of the nervous system.
- ANA Investigates Atrial Fibrillation After Strokeby The American Neurological Association on January 28, 2025 at 12:00 pm
We all know that atrial fibrillation is associated with increased risk of stroke. But new research suggests that how we define afib -- and the timing and duration of the arrhythmia -- may be important for how we manage it in stroke patients. Luciano Sposato is a Professor of Neurology and Head of the Stroke Program at Western University in Ontario. He’ll talk to Christoph Stretz, vascular neurologist at Brown University, about the latest research into afib and aflutter after stroke -- and how this research might impact current clinical practice. Series 6, Episode 4 Featuring: Guest: Dr. Luciano Sposato, Professor of Neurology and Head of the Stroke Program at Western University in Ontario & Interviewer: Christoph Stretz, vascular neurologist at Brown University Disclosures: Dr. Sposato disclosed consulting fees and honoraria from Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Gore, Astrazeneca, and Simcere.
- ANA Investigates Dementia in Africaby The American Neurological Association on December 31, 2024 at 10:00 am
Dementia is a global issue, with two-thirds of people with dementia living in low- and middle- income countries. Despite this, dementia research continues to focus on patients in high-income countries. Our guest on this episode, Dr. Riadh Gouider, is working to correct this imbalance. Dr. Gouider is the Head of the Department of Neurology and the Alzheimer Center at Razi Hospital in Tunisia and an advisor on the latest WHO Global Action Plan on the public health response to dementia. He spoke with Dr. Jayant Acharya, Professor and Chair of Neurology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine -- about challenges, and opportunities, for dementia research across the globe. Series 6, Episode 3 Featuring: Dr. Riadh Gouider, Head of the Department of Neurology and the Alzheimer Center at Razi Hospital in Tunisia & Dr. Jayant Acharya, Professor and Chair of Neurology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Disclosures: None Below are the links to the publications discussed during this episode. Lancet Commission on Dementia: https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/dementia-prevention-intervention-care WHO Global Action Plan on Dementia: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/global-action-plan-on-the-public-health-response-to-dementia-2017---2025
- ANA Investigates Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatments in Epilepsyby The American Neurological Association on November 26, 2024 at 3:16 pm
It used to be that surgery for medically refractory epilepsy was big, open and invasive, a treatment of last resort. The landscape has changed in recent decades, with more and more minimally invasive surgical approaches being developed. So what does this mean for the average patient with medically refractory epilepsy? Our guest today is Dr. Jon Willie, Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He speaks with Dr. Ionnis Karakis, Epileptologist and Adjunct Professor of Neurology at Emory University, about the new landscape of epilepsy surgery. Series 6, Episode 2 Featuring: Guest: Jon T. Willie, MD, PhD, FAANS, Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri Interviewer: Ioannis Karakis, MD, PhD, MSc., Epileptologist and Adjunct Professor of Neurology at Emory University Disclosures: Dr. Karakis disclosed that he is a consultant for USB, GSK, Ceribell, and Epitel. Dr. Willie disclosed Consulting for Clearpoint, Inc, AiM Medical Robotics, Inc., and Fortec Medical, Inc.; Contracted Research with Abbott, Inc., Neurona, Inc., and Neuropace, Inc.; and Honoraria from Medtronic, Inc.
- ANA Investigates the Glymphatic System & Neurodegenerative Diseasesby The American Neurological Association on October 29, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Until recently, the Glymphatic System was a neglected corner of neuroscience. Now it’s increasingly clear that the brain’s system for the flow of fluid, nutrients, and waste plays an important role in sleep and brain disease. With glymphatics in the spotlight, researchers are coming up with innovative ways to study this slow, constant flow of cerebrospinal fluid throughout the brain. Dr. Daniel Claassen is a Professor of Neurology and Chief of the Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Division at Vanderbilt University, who researches the glymphatic system in humans. He’ll talk about new directions in glymphatics research with Dr. Cheran Elangovan, a Vascular Neurologist at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Series 6, Episode 1 Featuring: Guest: Dr. Daniel Claassen is a Professor of Neurology and Chief of the Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Division at Vanderbilt University Interviewer: Dr. Cheran Elangovan, a Vascular Neurologist at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Disclosures: No relationships
- **Bonus Episode** ANA Investigates ANA2024by The American Neurological Association on September 19, 2024 at 3:05 pm
Just last week, we wrapped up another exciting annual meeting of the American Neurological Association, ANA2024. Right before we packed up to head home, the President of the American Neurological Association, Dr. Betsy Ross, sat down with Dr. Allison Willis, the 2024 chair of the ANA’s Annual Meeting Programming Committee, to reflect on some of the highlights of this year's meeting. Series 5, Episode 12 Featuring: Guest: Dr. Allison Willis, the 2024 chair of the ANA’s Annual Meeting Programming Committee Interviewer: Dr. Betsy Ross, President of the American Neurological Association - Producer: Dr. Michelle Johansen, chair of the ANA's Education Innovation Committee Disclosures: None