The Brain Matters Podcast

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a highly complex condition to diagnose, treat and live with.

Affecting 1 in 1000 people, and with symptoms usually presenting in people between the age of 20 and 40, the impact of MS can vary person to person. Any part of the central nervous system can be impacted – from vision, to sensory perception and sometimes cognition.

In this episode, we dive into the complexities of this disease with perspectives from leading MS clinician and researcher Professor Trevor Kilpatrick, Florey scientist Michelle Binder, and Catherine, a doctor who has lived with MS for 20 years.

How does the human brain become addicted? Why are addictions so difficult to treat? And what does the future look like for people experiencing these neuropsychological problems?

Together with The Florey’s Professor Andy Lawrence, Turning Point’s Professor Dan Lubman and Lisa Rebecca, who has been in recovery for 12 years, we explore different perspectives on these complex questions.

Globally, someone is diagnosed with dementia every 3 seconds. It’s a scary prospect for many of us as we age. But with blood tests for diagnosing dementia and promising medications on the horizon, does the future look brighter for this disease?

Joining our conversation is Nawaf Yassi, a neurologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Annemarie, whose husband was diagnosed at the age of 61. And Rebecca Nisbet, a neuroscientist at the forefront of developing treatments for dementia.