The Peripheral Nerve Podcast

In this episode of the Peripheral Nerve Podcast, hosts Dr. Paola Alberti (University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy) and Professor Susanna Park (University of Sydney, Australia) are joined by Professor Guido Cavaletti (University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy), a global leader in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) research.
This discussion explores the current understanding and ongoing uncertainties surrounding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive CIPN. Drawing on decades of research, Professor Cavaletti provides critical insights into pathophysiology, translational challenges, and emerging therapeutic strategies. 
Links for show notes: journals.lww.com/pain/fulltext/2024/11000/translation_of_paclitaxel_induced_peripheral.11.aspx
Transcript: https://pnsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/Ep1-CIPN-Podcast-Transcript-23March2026.docx

In this concluding episode of the Peripheral Nerve Society's Leprosy Awareness Podcast series, global experts examine the critical reality that microbiologic cure does not equal patient recovery. The discussion focuses on practical, real-world priorities:
Treating Hansen's disease effectively

Predicting neurologic and functional outcomes

Preventing disability, stigma, and ongoing transmission

The panel emphasizes that while multidrug therapy (MDT) reliably cures infection, nerve damage, disability, and social consequences remain the central unmet needs in leprosy care.
Transcript: https://pnsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/PNS-Podcast_Ep7_Treatment-and-prognosis-of-leprosy-neuropathy_19Feb2026.pdf

In this episode of the Leprosy Awareness Podcast, we tackle one of the most complex challenges in clinical practice: accurate and timely diagnosis of leprosy neuropathy. This episode explores how neurologists, dermatologists, and imaging specialists can integrate clinical examination, neurophysiology, ultrasound, Doppler, elastography, and MRI neurography to improve diagnostic accuracy—while minimizing misdiagnosis and false positives.
Through expert discussion, we examine leprosy as a spectral neuroinflammatory disease, the limitations of single-modality testing, and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in both endemic and non-endemic settings.
Featured Guests
Prof. Marcello Nogueira-Barbosa, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Radiology, University of São Paulo - Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

Prof. Diogo Fernandes dos Santos, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurology, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Brazil

Hosts:
Camila Pupe – Professor of Neurology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil

Wilson Marques Jr. – Professor of Neurology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine – Ribeirão Preto

Guests:
Einar Wilder-Smith – Professor of Neurology, University of Bern, Switzerland

Pedro Jose Tomaselli – Neurology Department, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto

This episode explores the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying leprosy neuropathy, emphasizing how interactions between Mycobacterium leprae, Schwann cell biology, and host immune responses manifest in electrophysiology. The discussion highlights the distinctive neurophysiological "fingerprint" of leprosy neuropathy and the evolution of diagnostic approaches—from standard nerve conduction studies to multisite protocols and advanced ultrasound techniques.
This episode brings together leading experts in the field, offering rich insights that integrate basic science, clinical neurology, and emerging diagnostic tools.

Hosts:
Prof. Camila Pupe, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil
Prof. Wilson Marques Jr., University of São Paulo School of Medicine – Ribeirão Preto
Guests:
Prof. Osvaldo Nascimento, Emeritus Professor of Neurology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil
Prof. Satish V. Khadilkar, Dean and Head of Neurology, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Mumbai, India

🎙️ Episode Overview
In this installment of the PNS Podcast Series on Leprosy Awareness, Professors Camila Pupe and Wilson Marques Jr. are joined by two internationally recognized experts—Prof. Osvaldo Nascimento and Prof. Satish Khadilkar—to explore the clinical spectrum of leprosy neuropathy.
From the common to the rare, this episode highlights how leprosy manifests in the nervous system, emphasizing why early recognition and vigilance are critical for preventing permanent disability. Transcript: https://pnsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/PNS_Podcast_Ep4_Clinical_Presentations_Leprosy_Neuropathy_corrected_transcript.pdf