Understanding the Forces Shaping US Health Care

Dr. Tesha Monteith discusses growing evidence supporting CGRP-targeted therapies as first-line preventive treatment options for people with migraine. Show citation:  Reuter U, Dycke AV, Versijpt J, et al. Tolerability, safety, and efficacy of atogepant versus topiramate in adults with migraine (TEMPLE): a randomised, head-to-head, phase 3b trial. Lancet Neurol. 2026;25(9):806-817. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(26)00214-0 

Dr. Casey Kozak discusses why most patients referred with seronegative NMOSD ultimately receive alternative diagnoses, underscoring the challenges of accurate diagnosis in antibody-negative cases.  Show citation: Lang MV, Welk GM, Tajfirouz DA, et al. Unveiling Misdiagnosis: Rethinking Seronegative NMOSD. Mult Scler. 2025;31(11):1381-1384. doi:10.1177/13524585251360648 

Dr. Katie Krulisky and Dr. Kelsey Smith discuss the impact of menopause on women with epilepsy, including therapeutics and clinical management during midlife. Show citation:  Smith KM, Faubion SS, Vadlamudi L, et al. The Menopause Transition and Epilepsy: A Focus on Therapeutics. Neurol Clin Pract. 2026;16(5):e200650. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200650

Dr. Katie Krulisky and Dr. Kelsey Smith discuss the impact of menopause on women with epilepsy, including therapeutics and clinical management during midlife. Show citation:  Smith KM, Faubion SS, Vadlamudi L, et al. The Menopause Transition and Epilepsy: A Focus on Therapeutics. Neurol Clin Pract. 2026;16(5):e200650. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200650

Dr. Casey Kozak discusses a new scoring system for MOGAD identification.  Show citation: Vilaseca A, Filippatou AG, Said Y, et al. TRUE-MOGAD Score: A Novel Scoring System to Identify MOGAD Among Positive MOG-IgG Test Results. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2026;13(5):e200617. doi:10.1212/NXI.0000000000200617 

Dr. Hailey Katulski discusses limb compression therapy and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in women with gynecologic cancers.  Show citation: Başkurt K, Uyar GC, Yeşilbaş E, et al. Limb Compression Therapy and Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Women With Gynecologic Cancers: A Prospective Self-Controlled Study(NEURO-GLOVE Trial). Int J Cancer. 2026;159(9):2300-2313. doi:10.1002/ijc.70601 

In the final episode of this nine-part series, Dr. Christine Cliatt-Brown discusses pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management. 

Dr. Margarita Fedorova and Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer discuss how the herpes zoster vaccination may have neuroprotective effects, potentially delaying or preventing dementia. Show citation:  Pomirchy M, Chung S, Bommer C, Strobel S, Geldsetzer P. Herpes zoster vaccination and incident dementia in Canada: an analysis of natural experiments. Lancet Neurol. 2026;25(2):170-180. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(25)00455-7 

Dr. Jason Crowell and Dr. John McDonough discuss the historical and economic factors shaping the US healthcare system and why understanding these systemic forces matters for neurologists and patient care.  Show citation:  Powell A. How to fix U.S. Healthcare? "Radical Action," says John McDonough. Harvard Gazette. August 18, 2026. Accessed August 20, 2026. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2026/08/how-to-fix-u-s-healthcare-radical-action-says-john-mcdonough/.   

In the eighth episode of this nine-part series, Dr. Christine Cliatt-Brown discusses delusional companion syndrome.