In this wide ranging conversation, Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Professor Edward Quadros of SUNY Downstate to explore the critical roles of folate vitamin B9 and vitamin B12 in brain development and lifelong health. We unpack why some children show low cerebrospinal fluid folate despite a normal diet, how autoantibodies to the folate receptor can block folate from reaching the brain, and what the folate receptor antibody test FRAT reveals. Professor Quadros explains the research behind folinic acid leucovorin as a folate enhancer, what clinical studies show in children on the spectrum, and why earlier treatment tends to yield better outcomes. We also look at prenatal folate fortification, the potential value of screening parents, the milk and autoimmunity connection in susceptible kids, and clear up myths around the common MTHFR polymorphism. Finally, we connect B12 status, homocysteine, and the different B12 forms used in practice. If you care about evidence based insights on autism research, neurodevelopment, and smart supplementation, this episode is a must listen.
All content for The Smartest Doctor in the Room is the property of Dr. Dean Mitchell and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
In this wide ranging conversation, Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Professor Edward Quadros of SUNY Downstate to explore the critical roles of folate vitamin B9 and vitamin B12 in brain development and lifelong health. We unpack why some children show low cerebrospinal fluid folate despite a normal diet, how autoantibodies to the folate receptor can block folate from reaching the brain, and what the folate receptor antibody test FRAT reveals. Professor Quadros explains the research behind folinic acid leucovorin as a folate enhancer, what clinical studies show in children on the spectrum, and why earlier treatment tends to yield better outcomes. We also look at prenatal folate fortification, the potential value of screening parents, the milk and autoimmunity connection in susceptible kids, and clear up myths around the common MTHFR polymorphism. Finally, we connect B12 status, homocysteine, and the different B12 forms used in practice. If you care about evidence based insights on autism research, neurodevelopment, and smart supplementation, this episode is a must listen.
Ep. 193 - Are You Really Allergic? What Patients & Doctors Need to Know About Drug Reactions
The Smartest Doctor in the Room
55 minutes
1 month ago
Ep. 193 - Are You Really Allergic? What Patients & Doctors Need to Know About Drug Reactions
Adverse drug reactions and allergic responses to medications and vaccines are no longer rare side effects—they’re a growing medical challenge. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mariana Castells, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Director of the Mastocytosis Center of Excellence, and Director of the Drug Hypersensitivity and Desensitization Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.We explore:Why newer medications and targeted therapies carry higher risks of severe reactionsThe difference between drug intolerance, adverse reactions, and true allergiesThe dangers of mislabeling penicillin allergy—and how it affects treatment choicesCutting-edge diagnostic tools like basophil and mast cell activation testingThe role of mast cells, novel receptors, and genetics in multiple drug allergiesStrategies for safer prescribing, testing, and desensitizationWhether you’re a clinician, researcher, or patient who’s experienced a “bad reaction” to medication, this conversation offers clarity on what we know today—and where the science of drug allergy is heading.
The Smartest Doctor in the Room
In this wide ranging conversation, Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Professor Edward Quadros of SUNY Downstate to explore the critical roles of folate vitamin B9 and vitamin B12 in brain development and lifelong health. We unpack why some children show low cerebrospinal fluid folate despite a normal diet, how autoantibodies to the folate receptor can block folate from reaching the brain, and what the folate receptor antibody test FRAT reveals. Professor Quadros explains the research behind folinic acid leucovorin as a folate enhancer, what clinical studies show in children on the spectrum, and why earlier treatment tends to yield better outcomes. We also look at prenatal folate fortification, the potential value of screening parents, the milk and autoimmunity connection in susceptible kids, and clear up myths around the common MTHFR polymorphism. Finally, we connect B12 status, homocysteine, and the different B12 forms used in practice. If you care about evidence based insights on autism research, neurodevelopment, and smart supplementation, this episode is a must listen.
