The hottest Neurology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics
Rory’s Always On Newsletter 515 implied HN points 02 Nov 24
  1. Bas Bloem wants to eliminate Parkinson's disease so he can make himself unemployed. He believes that it's possible to make significant advances in treating and understanding the condition.
  2. Environmental factors, especially pesticides, may play a major role in causing Parkinson's. Bas argues that banning harmful substances could help reduce the disease's prevalence.
  3. The healthcare system in the Netherlands is more efficient for Parkinson's treatment, with less waiting time for patients. They focus on teamwork among specialists to provide comprehensive care.
Ground Truths 14172 implied HN points 22 Jan 26
  1. Multiple large natural experiments across countries show shingles vaccination is consistently linked to lower dementia rates, and the newer Shingrix vaccine may offer even greater protection.
  2. Studies tie the vaccine to slower biological aging and shifts in immune and inflammation markers over years, with bigger benefits seen in women, though blood markers of neurodegeneration haven’t changed and the exact mechanism is still unknown.
  3. Other studies suggest cardiovascular benefits too, so getting Shingrix at 50+ may offer broad protection, but more mechanistic research and replications are needed to confirm these effects.
Rory’s Always On Newsletter 515 implied HN points 12 Oct 24
  1. The waiting times for Parkinson's care in places like Oxford can be shocking, reaching up to 56 weeks for a new appointment.
  2. Many patients feel let down by the NHS and sometimes choose to pay for private care due to long delays in service.
  3. Fixing the NHS needs both immediate funding for extra appointments and long-term improvements to the system to make it work better.
L'Atelier Galita 179 implied HN points 15 Oct 24
  1. ADHD is not just about attention problems. People with ADHD can have intense focus (hyperfocus) on things they enjoy, but struggle to concentrate on tasks they find boring.
  2. ADHD affects both men and women equally, but many women go undiagnosed because the symptoms can present differently compared to men, leading to a lack of awareness.
  3. ADHD isn't just a childhood issue; many adults also experience it, but they often suffer in silence because they weren't diagnosed as kids and the school environment makes symptoms more apparent.
Ground Truths 14084 implied HN points 09 Aug 25
  1. Lithium has been used for a long time in mental health treatment, and recent studies suggest it might also help protect against Alzheimer's disease. Research indicates that lithium could have benefits for cognitive function.
  2. New findings show that lithium orotate, a specific form of lithium, may be more effective than the traditional lithium carbonate used before. It seems to help clear harmful substances in the brain linked to Alzheimer's.
  3. Mice studies show that a diet deficient in lithium can lead to increased inflammation and cognitive decline. Conversely, mice given lithium orotate showed improvements in memory and brain function.
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Astral Codex Ten 18101 implied HN points 09 Oct 24
  1. Survival-oriented systems focus on making quick decisions to prevent crises, while thriving-oriented systems take more time to explore options. This can cause misunderstandings between them.
  2. Collaboration can improve if both sides appreciate each other's intentions and realize they have different communication styles. Being thankful and confirming good intentions helps.
  3. When urgency rises, space-efficient communication might seem harsh, and time-efficient communication can feel unfocused. Both sides should try to interpret this behavior charitably to work together better.
Margins by Ranjan Roy and Can Duruk 5203 implied HN points 19 Nov 24
  1. Technology can help us understand and communicate health issues better. Tools like generative AI can make complex medical information easier to grasp for everyone.
  2. Grieving is a personal journey that everyone experiences differently. It's important to remember that your feelings of loss and sorrow are valid, and sharing your story can help others feel less alone.
  3. Creating memories with loved ones is crucial. Spending time with family, sharing experiences, and cherishing little moments can make a lasting impact, even after they've gone.
Software Design: Tidy First? 1745 implied HN points 10 Jun 25
  1. Cognitive decline can be hard to deal with. It can affect your daily life, work, and relationships.
  2. Getting a clear diagnosis is important, even if it doesn't provide all the answers. It can help you understand your situation better.
  3. Sharing your struggles can help others who may be going through similar issues. It's okay to seek help and adapt to new challenges.
psychotechnology 23 implied HN points 07 Feb 26
  1. Cluster headaches are an extreme, recurring form of pain that can be utterly incapacitating and even drive people to desperate measures.
  2. Psychedelics—especially inhaled DMT at low doses—can abort attacks almost instantly, and psilocybin/LSD can reduce or prevent cycles, often outperforming standard acute treatments.
  3. Legal barriers and crude healthcare metrics leave many patients without access or funding, so advocacy and organized efforts are pushing for research, policy change, and expanded compassionate access.
NEUROTECH FUTURES 59 implied HN points 07 May 24
  1. Improving early detection of cognitive impairment is key in changing the course of neurodegenerative diseases.
  2. The market for dementia screening is complex, involving challenges like doctor shortages, regulatory hurdles, and reimbursement issues.
  3. Innovations in digital and biological diagnostics, like blood tests and AI-powered tools, offer promising advances in dementia screening.
Eat Shit and Prosper 159 implied HN points 06 Mar 23
  1. Smoking may reduce the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Studies show that smokers are less likely to get this condition compared to nonsmokers.
  2. Both coffee and smoking have been linked to lower chances of Parkinson's disease. Drinking more coffee appears to provide a similar protective effect.
  3. Constipation can be an early sign of Parkinson's disease, sometimes showing up years before other symptoms. Smoking and coffee might help keep things moving in the gut, which could play a role in reducing Parkinson's risk.
Stream of Subconsciousness 39 implied HN points 01 Jun 23
  1. Flexibility is key to change; be brutally honest and put everything on the table for real transformation.
  2. Seek guidance from trusted voices to encourage exploration from a new perspective, draining hesitance and uncertainty.
  3. Change awareness through hypnotherapy, cognitive therapy, or brainwave training to disrupt old ways of thinking and find new paths.
Tessa Fights Robots 10 implied HN points 31 Jul 25
  1. Recent research on multiple sclerosis (MS) has generated interest but may not be as revolutionary as some claim. It's important to look at the details.
  2. The study connects MS to possible infectious triggers, which opens up new ways to think about neurological symptoms.
  3. Personal insights and discussions can help make sense of complex studies, and sharing perspectives can lead to better understanding.
Stream of Subconsciousness 19 implied HN points 07 Jun 23
  1. Hypnosis involves a complex internal state rather than a straightforward process.
  2. The concept of multiple observers and identities challenges our understanding of consciousness.
  3. Our personalities are layered structures that change based on the situation, revealing different aspects of ourselves.
Axial 7 implied HN points 13 Mar 24
  1. Roche is focusing on developing therapies for neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, with a new drug called trontinemab showing potential for rapid clearance of amyloid plaques in the brain.
  2. Roche's neurology strategy includes a diverse pipeline of treatments for various conditions like multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders, and gene therapies for muscle-related illnesses.
  3. The company's commitment to Alzheimer's research is driven by the amyloid hypothesis, societal impact, and economic burden, aiming to improve patient outcomes and address the growing need for effective treatments in the aging population.
Splattern 0 implied HN points 20 Dec 23
  1. Scientists can now better tell if people in vegetative states are aware of their surroundings or can regain consciousness. This helps distinguish between those who can't react at all and those who have some mental activity.
  2. Consciousness is linked to specific brain activities. Researchers can use tools like EKGs and MRIs to recognize these brain patterns that indicate someone is conscious.
  3. Future technology might allow people with locked-in syndrome to communicate or control devices just by thinking. This could be a major breakthrough for better understanding and helping these patients.