No Brain Behind

In this episode of No Brain Behind, we discuss how dementia prevention must be designed for diverse populations across the globe. This conversation explores how biological, psychosocial, and economic factors intersect to shape brain and cognitive aging across the life course, and why prevention strategies developed in one setting may not translate to another.

We highlight the multinational AFRICA-FINGERS initiative, which is adapting evidence-based dementia prevention approaches through culturally appropriate, sustainable, and multimodal interventions. The episode also examines global efforts to expand equitable access to biomarker research through the World-Wide FINGERS Biomarker Consortium and the Davos Alzheimer’s Co...

In this episode of No Brain Behind, guest host Dr. Neeharika Krothapalli is joined by Dr. Dileep Yavagal, interventional neurologist, Director of Interventional Neurology at the University of Miami, and founder of Mission Thrombectomy. He shares his journey in advancing global access to stroke care and discusses how collaboration, advocacy, and innovation, from policy efforts to emerging technologies, are helping expand access to life-saving treatments worldwide. This conversation highlights the critical role of implementation and systems-level thinking in advancing equity in brain health.

In this episode of No Brain Behind, Dr. George Howard and Dr. Suzanne Judd discuss their leadership of the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) study, one of the largest longitudinal investigations of stroke disparities in the United States. They share how the study was designed to examine persistent racial and geographic disparities in stroke, including the elevated burden in the southeastern “Stroke Belt” and among African Americans, and reflect on the challenges of building and sustaining a national cohort over two decades. The conversation also highlights how REGARDS has evolved into a major scientific resource supporting rese...

In this episode of No Brain Behind, Dr. Charles “Chuck” Hillman, director of the Institute for Cognitive and Brain Health at Northeastern University, discusses his research on how physical activity shapes brain health across the lifespan. He outlines a multidisciplinary program integrating randomized interventions, neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and behavioral methods to examine the effects of aerobic fitness and adiposity on brain structure and cognitive function. The conversation highlights findings from studies in children and older adults and explores how this work can inform public health guidelines, educational practice, and equitable access to brain-healthy lifestyles.

In this episode of No Brain Behind, Dr. Stephanie Lyden and Dr. Lee Chung, neurologists at the University of Utah, discuss the challenges and innovations shaping rural neurologic care. They explore how geographic distance, limited infrastructure, and fragmented health systems impact access to time-sensitive stroke care in rural and Indigenous communities, and how tele-stroke and tele-neurology are helping bridge these gaps. The conversation highlights innovative care models, medical education pathways, and the importance of collaboration, cultural humility, and reimagining underserved neurology as a distinct and valued area of practice.

In this episode of No Brain Behind, Dr. Monica Diaz discusses key global developments in multiple sclerosis presented at the 2025 ECTRIMS Congress. She reviews updates to diagnostic criteria for MS and NMOSD, advances in disease-modifying therapies, and emerging safety data in pregnancy and breastfeeding. The conversation also highlights how social determinants of health shape MS outcomes worldwide and the ongoing equity challenges in improving brain health for people living with MS.

In this episode of No Brain Behind, Dr. Jonathan Rosand and Dr. Helena Lavretsky discuss innovative approaches to brain health that integrate prevention, lifestyle, and integrative medicine. They highlight tools such as the Brain Care Score, mind-body interventions, and strategies to empower patients and caregivers. The conversation emphasizes how evidence-based, personalized care can strengthen cognitive resilience and advance health equity worldwide.

In this episode of No Brain Behind, Dr. Carter Denny, stroke neurologist, and Angie Cauthorn, stroke survivor and advocate, discuss the critical transition from hospital to home in stroke recovery. Drawing on insights from the 2025 Stroke Transitions of Care and Post-Stroke Care Conference, they highlight how recovery is shaped not only by clinical care but also by social, geographic, and systemic factors. The conversation explores strategies to improve outcomes, including early outpatient follow-up, care coordination, telehealth, and survivor-centered approaches to advance more equitable post-stroke care.

In this episode of No Brain Behind, Dr. Harris Eyre, physician-neuroscientist and global leader in the Brain Capital movement, discusses a framework that positions brain health and brain skills as essential assets for individuals, societies, and economies. He explores how investing in cognitive and emotional well-being can drive innovation, strengthen economies, and advance global health equity. The conversation also highlights his work in rural and Indigenous health in Australia and his efforts to influence international policy through initiatives at the United Nations, World Economic Forum, and the African Brain Health Task Force.

In this episode of No Brain Behind, Dr. Virginia Howard (University of Alabama at Birmingham) and Dr. Matt Reeves (Michigan State University) discuss disparities in stroke care and research for women. They examine women-specific risk factors, the development of stroke risk scores, and barriers to women’s participation in clinical trials, along with emerging strategies to address these gaps. The conversation also highlights the work of PROWESS, an international initiative advancing research in women’s stroke care, and offers insights into future directions in stroke and women’s health research.

In this episode of No Brain Behind, Dr. Mitchell Elkind, neurologist and past President of the American Heart Association, discusses his career in neurology and vascular research and his leadership in advancing brain health. He explores the American Heart Association’s evolving role in stroke prevention, cognitive aging, and addressing health inequities through community-focused initiatives and inclusive research. The conversation also highlights career insights for trainees and early-career neurologists, including the importance of mentorship, focus, and resilience.

In this special World Brain Day episode of No Brain Behind, Drs. Rachel Forman and Christopher Orlando sit down with Dr. Steven Lewis, Secretary General of the World Federation of Neurology, to discuss global brain health and equity. Dr. Lewis shares insights on the growing burden of neurological disorders worldwide, the challenges of stigma and access, and the WFN’s initiatives to address these disparities. The conversation highlights the importance of global collaboration, technological innovations like tele-neurology, and the critical role of education and advocacy. We hope you will walk away inspired by practical steps and hopeful strategies for advancing br...

In this episode of No Brain Behind, hosts Dr. Orlando and Dr. Das sit down with the editors of Equity Neuroscience, Drs. Karen Orjuela and Carlos Ortiz Garcia, to discuss the Equity Neuroscience journal. They share the role of the journal and how it is a place to share and document the work being done in brain health equity. They discuss some highlights to look for in the first issue of the journal, and how each contribution advances the mission of the journal. Drs. Orjuela and Ortiz Garcia also share their vision for the future of Equity Neuroscience, a journal t...

In this special episode of No Brain Behind, guest hosts, Dr. Parneet Grewal, and Dr. Karen Orjuela, speak with the SEQUINS 2025 Hall of Fame honorees, Dr. Robert J. Adams, Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, Dr. Moira Kapral, Dr. Lewis Morgenstern, and Dr. Barbara Vickrey. These brilliant and highly accomplished scientists chatted with our hosts during the SEQUINS 2025 annual meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. They discussed their stellar contributions, career journeys, the importance of doing equity neuroscience research, and thoughts about the future directions of the field.

In this episode of No Brain Behind, hosts Drs. Gitanjali Das and Sonya Gleicher speak with Drs. Anjail Sharrief and Monica Diaz about their journeys into equity-focused neuroscience and the global impact of their work. Dr. Diaz shares her efforts to improve dementia care and access in underserved communities in Peru and Uganda, while Dr. Sharif discusses her initiatives in stroke prevention and systems-level reform for equitable neurological care. Both guests highlight the pivotal moments and challenges that shaped their careers, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, mentorship, and working across disciplines. They express optimism about the field’s future, dri...

In this inaugural episode, we sit down with Drs. Bruce Ovbiagele and Lilyana Amezcua, president and vice president of the Society for Equity Neuroscience (SEQUINS), to explore the origin story of the organization. They share the driving forces behind its creation, the urgent need to address inequities in neurological health, and how SEQUINS is building a global community around equity neuroscience. From grassroots initiatives to international collaboration, we’ll dive into the programs shaping the society’s mission. Our guests also reflect on the challenges posed by recent shifts in the health equity research funding landscape, and what it means for...