Lab Minute: Human Prion Disease
Neurology Minute
In this lab minute, Dr. Stacey Clardy discusses human prion disease.
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Lab Minute: Human Prion Disease
Neurology Minute
In this lab minute, Dr. Stacey Clardy discusses human prion disease.
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July 2026 President Spotlight: Mid-Year Update
Neurology Minute
In the July episode of the President's Spotlight, Dr. Jason Crowell and Dr. Natalia Rost provide a mid-year review of the AAN’s progress, highlighting advocacy successes and the growing momentum for brain health worldwide. Stay informed by watching the video.
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Preparing ALS Clinics to Provide Longitudinal Care for Individuals Carrying ALS Risk Variants
Neurology Minute
Dr. Derek Stitt and Dr. Jennifer Morganroth discuss why identifying carrier status is so important. Show citation: Morganroth J, Yasek J, Harms M. Preparing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Clinics to Provide Longitudinal Care for Individuals Carrying ALS Risk Variants. Neurol Genet. 2026;12(4):e200406. Published 2026 Jun 24. doi:
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When Drug Marketing Masquerades as Clinical Trials
Neurology Minute
Dr. Justin Abbatemarco and Sukhun Kang discuss seeding trials and other hidden marketing tactics in clinical trials, and their implications for clinical practice and patient care. Show citation: Kang S, Lin I, Ekblom M, and Chang S. Clinical trials that are actually marketing ploys targeting doctors – how seeding trials put profit over patients. The Conversation. 2026;6(5). doi:
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The DRAIN Trial
Neurology Minute
Dr. Margarita Fedorova discusses the DRAIN trial and the efficacy of acetazolamide in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. Show citation: Virhammar J, Fasth O, Ekblom M, et al. Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of acetazolamide in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (DRAIN) in Sweden: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial. Lancet Neurol. 2026;25(6):550-559. doi:
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Diagnosis and Management of Headache
Neurology Minute
Dr. Matthew Robbins discusses the assessment and diagnosis of headache in emergency settings, emphasizing red and green flags to differentiate primary from secondary headaches. This episode provides practical tips for trainees and clinicians to improve headache management. Show citation: Robbins MS. Diagnosis and Management of Headache: A Review. JAMA. 2021;325(18):1874-1885. doi:
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Navigating the Transition From Pediatric to Adult Epilepsy Care - Part 2
Neurology Minute
In the second episode of this series, Dr. Dara Albert and Dr. Scott Perry discuss common barriers to transitioning from pediatric to adult care and share practical strategies clinicians can use to support successful patient transitions. Show citation: Perry MS, Nascimento FA, Pina-Garza JE, et al. Addressing Barriers to Transitioning Pediatric Patients With Epilepsy to Adult Health Care in the United States: A Narrative Review. Neurol Clin Pract. 2026;16(3):e200616. doi:
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Neurology® at 75: The Evolution of the Neurology Journal
Neurology Minute
To celebrate 75 years of Neurology®, Dr. Chris Boes and Dr. José Merino discuss the journal’s history, its evolution, and what lies ahead for the future of Neurology®. Read more about the first .
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Navigating the Transition From Pediatric to Adult Epilepsy Care - Part 1
Neurology Minute
In part one of this series, Dr. Dara Albert and Dr. Scott Perry discuss what every neurology resident should know about caring for young adults with epilepsy as they transition from pediatric to adult neurology. Show citation: Perry MS, Nascimento FA, Pina-Garza JE, et al. Addressing Barriers to Transitioning Pediatric Patients With Epilepsy to Adult Health Care in the United States: A Narrative Review. Neurol Clin Pract. 2026;16(3):e200616. doi:
info_outlineDr. Stacey Clardy discusses methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) in this lab minute.
Show transcript:
Dr. Stacey Clardy:
Hi, this is Stacey Clardy from the Salt Lake City VA in the University of Utah. Let's do a lab minute today on MTHFR. This one just simply will not go away. This is one of those topics where a huge amount of patient anxiety is inversely proportional to the utility of a test.
So MTHFR is methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. It's the enzyme that helps generate five methyltetrahydrofolates supporting remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. That biochemistry does matter because the clinical leap that often follows is the problem.
So the common polymorphisms of MTHFR are C677T and A1298C. They are widespread in the general population. A recurring misunderstanding is that ordering MTHFR genotyping in a thrombophilia evaluation or as a catchall explanation for you name it, migraines, neuropathy, psychiatric symptoms, nondescript inflammation, is going to give you the answer.
The best evidence-based guidance is that MTHFR polymorphism testing has minimal clinical utility and should not be ordered routinely, particularly not as part of a thrombophilia evaluation.So what do we do when a patient arrives with one of these MTHFR results and they are concerned? I try to translate into what actually matters clinically. If there is a concern for thrombotic risk or a documented thrombotic risk event, I focus on established thrombophilias and clinical risk factors and not common MTHFR isolated variants.
Now, if the concern is folate metabolism and homocystine, well, we can actually measure those nutritional markers and homocystine. And so if homocystine is elevated, the next thing I'll do is consider the context.
And if their folate is low or if one of their B vitamins is low, I replace it rather than building a medical mythology around a genotype that's not going to change the management for most patients.
So that's an approach and an update to MTHFR. I hope it's helpful. This is Stacey Clardy, until next time.