Research to Read, Edition 6.
In the sixth edition of Research To Read, let’s read some more research papers related to Neurology, the medical branch of study for the disorders of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
What is the R2R newsletter all about?
To recap, this newsletter is my 2025 resolution in action: to make reading medical research a consistent habit. Just like any muscle that needs regular exercise, the only way to strengthen this practice is by doing it repeatedly.
That’s the motivation behind Research to Read. It's a way for me to share the research I’m diving into, while also expanding my own knowledge. And I’m inviting my fellow medicos to join me on this journey. We all stand to benefit from staying informed and sharpening our understanding of the latest studies in our field.
So, let’s get into the research, together!
Before you dive in:
This edition consists of not just research papers, but also podcast discussions for each of the recommended articles, aiming to provide deep dives for each of them. These audio clips were generated in a discussion format with publicly available sources, using NotebookLM by Google, and are used here for educational and informational purposes only.
My recommendation (and what I found to be effective for myself) would be to listen to the podcast discussion first and then read through the respective paper to get the most out of the material.
Here’s my list of research papers to read:
The relationship between trait curiosity and cognitive reserve in younger and older adults
Wiegand, I., Donkers, I., Balart-Sanchez, S. et al. The relationship between trait curiosity and cognitive reserve in younger and older adults. Sci Rep 15, 24707 (2025).
This paper discusses the differences between perceptual curiosity (novel or surprising experiences that resolve uncertainties) and epistemic curiosity (desire to acquire new knowledge or understanding) and cognitive reserve, the brain’s ability to cope with age-related challenges or damage- a pretty interesting read for people in the medical field and beyond.
Read here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-10101-2
2. Assessment of lesions on magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis: practical guidelines
Filippi M et. al Assessment of lesions on magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis: practical guidelines. Brain. 2019 Jul 1;142(7):1858-1875.
The current MRI criteria for the diagnosis of MS are characteristic, but not specific enough and could potentially lead to misdiagnosis. This paper goes on to describe in the assessment of each individual lesion, the overall patterns of lesions, 15 general criteria for MRI use in MS diagnosis and areas of ongoing research.
Read here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31209474/
3. Practice Parameter: Diagnostic Assessment of the child with cerebral palsy-Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society
Ashwal S, Russman BS, Blasco PA, et al. Practice parameter: diagnostic assessment of the child with cerebral palsy [RETIRED]: report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology. 2004;62(6):851-863.
Cerebral Palsy is a disorder of aberrant control of movement and posture, appearing early in life secondary to a CNS lesion or dysfunction not related to a progressive or degenrative brain lesion.
This older review study by the Quality Standards Subcommittee of American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society expands upon the recommendations based on a four-tiered scheme of evidence classification after literature review (as class I, II, III, IV) and also offers possible avenues for future research.
A very long read and despite being retired, offers a lot of useful information and insight.
Read here: https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/01.WNL.0000117981.35364.1B
…and that brings us to the end of the sixth edition of Research to Read!!
I hope you enjoyed it and look forward to reading more research along with me, where I’ll be diving into research rooted in different medical specialities :)
Check out Research to Read, Edition 1, Research to Read Edition 2, Research to Read Edition 3, Research to Read Edition 4 and Research to Read Edition 5 here.
To get updates on future newsletter editions, please subscribe, and if you have any suggestions, write to me at srinivasannanditha@gmail.com
