Concussions are often called “mild” — but the reality is far more complex. In this episode, we take a deep dive into mild traumatic brain injury: what really happens to the brain, how to recognize and diagnose concussion, the best practices for safe recovery, and the evolving science behind long-term outcomes like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Whether you’re a healthcare professional, athlete, caregiver, or simply someone interested in brain health, this conversation will change the way you think about concussions — and why taking them seriously matters more than ever.

Concussions are often called “mild” — but the reality is far more complex. In this episode, we take a deep dive into mild traumatic brain injury: what really happens to the brain, how to recognize and diagnose concussion, the best practices for safe recovery, and the evolving science behind long-term outcomes like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Whether you’re a healthcare professional, athlete, caregiver, or simply someone interested in brain health, this conversation will change the way you think about concussions — and why taking them seriously matters more than ever.

In this episode, we delve into the neurobiological underpinnings of resilience in the face of trauma. Drawing insights from the recent article "Brain Connectivity and Resilience Across Trauma," we explore how the brain's connectivity patterns before, during, and after traumatic events influence individual responses. Discover the roles of key brain regions like the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the amygdala, and understand how their interactions can determine whether one succumbs to stress or emerges resilient. Join us as we navigate the intricate pathways that shape our capacity to withstand and recover from life's most challenging experiences.

In this episode, we explore the pivotal role of the medical expert witness in Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) cases. From misdiagnosis and stigma to the challenges of explaining FND’s complex nature in legal settings, expert witnesses must translate nuanced clinical insights into courtroom clarity. Join us as we unpack how neurologists and psychologists evaluate symptoms, differentiate FND from malingering, and support fair outcomes in litigation and insurance claims. Whether you're a clinician, lawyer, or curious listener, this episode offers a front-row seat to the intersection of neuroscience and justice.

Hello, and welcome to Beyond the Impact, where we explore the fascinating, challenging, and sometimes misunderstood world of the brain. I’m Dr. Ioannis Mavroudis, neurologist and researcher, and today we’re diving deep into a topic that affects millions across the globe—traumatic brain injury, or TBI, and what happens to our cognitive functions in the aftermath.

In this episode, we explore one of the most cutting-edge tools in brain imaging: Magnetoencephalography (MEG) — and its transformative role in the diagnosis and understanding of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-concussion syndrome (PCS).

While conventional imaging like CT and MRI often fall short in detecting subtle disruptions after a concussion, MEG offers a real-time window into the brain's electrical activity — capturing dysfunctions in connectivity, oscillatory rhythms, and network integrity that are invisible to standard scans.

Join Dr. [Your Name], consultant neurologist and brain injury specialist, as we discuss:

• What MEG measures and how it works

• Why MEG is particularly suited for detecting abnormalities in mTBI

• Recent research and clinical cases demonstrating MEG’s diagnostic potential

• Challenges in accessibility, interpretation, and standardization

• The future of MEG in concussion protocols and legal/medicolegal settings

Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, athlete, or advocate for brain injury awareness, this episode sheds light on how neurotechnology is helping us validate what patients have known all along — that even “mild” brain injuries can have profound and persistent effects.

In this episode, we delve into the evolving understanding of Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS)—a complex condition that often follows mild traumatic brain injury. Despite its common occurrence, PCS remains difficult to define and diagnose due to the subjective nature of symptoms, their overlap with other conditions, and the absence of a clear biological marker.

We explore how diagnostic criteria have shifted over time, moving from the structured definition in ICD-10 to more nuanced approaches in ICD-11 and DSM-5, which reframe PCS under broader neurocognitive or symptom-specific categories. What are the implications of this shift for clinicians, patients, and researchers?

Join us as we discuss the clinical challenges, the case for a multidisciplinary and domain-specific assessment strategy, and the emerging role of digital health tools and biomarkers in improving diagnosis and long-term care for those living with PCS.

A discussion on a comprehensive umbrella systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the connection between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the subsequent risk of cognitive decline, specifically dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). By pooling data from multiple existing meta-analyses and cohort studies, the authors found a significant association between TBI and an increased risk of dementia, with this risk appearing higher for more severe injuries. However, the link between TBI and AD was less consistent, suggesting a weaker or more complex relationship. The study highlights the importance of considering TBI as a potential risk factor for long-term cognitive problems and suggests the need for ongoing monitoring, particularly for those with more substantial head injuries.