The Neurology Lounge15 Nov 2024

Episode 40. Skirmish - Myasthenia Gravis and Its Belligerent Antibodies

In this episode I explore the autoimmune neurological disorder, myasthenia gravis. I review its classical manifestations as ocular and generalised myasthenia, and I highlight its complications such as refractory myasthenia and myasthenic crisis.

The podcast also discusses the pathogenesis and triggers of the disease, its various mimics, and its indispensable investigations. I also review its treatments which include acetylcholine esterase inhibitors, steroids, immunosuppressants, IVIg and plasma exchange.

I complement the podcast with historical anecdotes regarding the discoveries, frequently serendipitous, of the various treatments of myasthenia gravis. This narrative includes such stories as Mary Walker’s miracle of Alfege’s, the dream insight of Otto Loewi, the mystery of the headless torso in the Thames, and the role played by the Calabar bean in the history of myasthenia gravis. Other relevant historical themes were the role played by Alfred Blalock in introducing thymectomy for myasthenia gravis, and the first serendipitous self-treatment of myasthenia gravis by medical student Harriet Edgeworth.

I rely on such illustrative patient memoirs as those of Kemi Olawaiye-Dampson titled Living with Myasthenia Gravis, of Howard Caras titled Permanent Detour, and of Ronald Henderson titled Attacking Myasthenia Gravis.

I also cited such enlightening academic sources as Coping with Myasthenia Gravis, by Aziz Shaibani and colleagues, and The Spark of Life by Frances Ashcroft.

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Avsnitt(84)

Episode 84. 10 Tricky Neurological Disorders in Pregnancy

In this short podcast, I highlight 10 major neurological disorders that can afflict pregnant women.

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Episode 83. Depression with Linda Gask – Author of The Other Side of Darkness

Linda Gask joins me in this episode to explore her dual perspectives of depression as a sufferer, and as a psychiatrist. Emerita Professor of Primary Care Psychiatry, Linda chronicles her history of d...

1 Maj 20251h 15min

Episode 82. Darkness – In the Abyss of Depression

In this episode I take an exhaustive look at the diverse perspectives of depression, that pervasive mood disorder that afflicts far too many people. I explore its gradual onset and chronic, often life...

28 Apr 202528min

Episode 81. 10 Persistent Disorders of Consciousness That Put Neurologists on the Alert

This brief podcast reviews the top ten causes of persistent impairment of consciousness.

25 Apr 202510min

Episode 80. Aphantasia with Joanne Hedger – Author of Aphantasia

I am joined in this podcast by Joanne Hedger to discuss her lifelong experience of aphantasia, something she has written about in her memoir titled Aphantasia: Journeying Through Mind Blindness and Em...

21 Apr 202549min

Episode 79. Unimaginable – The Mind Blindness of Aphantasia

In this episode, I explore the fascinating phenomenon of aphantasia, the inability to imagine. I discuss the manifestations of the condition which primarily affects visual imagination, but which also ...

17 Apr 202515min

Episode 78. 10 Strange Neurological Disorders that Go Bump in the Night

In this episode, I explore 10 disorders that manifest during sleep, or are considered sleep disorders. These range from the more familiar REM sleep behaviour disorder, to the lesser-known exploding he...

13 Apr 202511min

Episode 77. Guillain Barre Syndrome with Holly Frances – Author of Life Support

I am joined in this podcast by Holly Frances to discuss her experience of Guillain Barre syndrome as she narrated in her illness memoir titled Life Support: Surviving Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Holly is...

10 Apr 202546min