Invisible Battles: The Unseen Realities of Neurological Conditions

Brain Health Matters

Welcome to another episode of Brain Health Matters, brought to you by the European Federation of Neurological Associations. In this episode, we’re shining a light on something often overlooked but deeply impactful—the invisible symptoms and burdens faced by people living with neurological conditions.

While tremors, seizures, or mobility challenges might be more visible, many of the most debilitating aspects of these conditions remain hidden from view. Fatigue, cognitive fog, chronic pain, anxiety— these are just a few of the silent struggles that can profoundly affect quality of life, yet are frequently misunderstood or dismissed.

In this episode, we’ll hear from Dr. Oliver Bernath, a neurologist and sleep disorder specialist based in the UK, Tania Pilz, a young woman from Austria living with Multiple Sclerosis, and GraceMarie Bricalli, President of the European ME Alliance, who will share insights into the frequently-overlooked burden of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and the urgent need for recognition and support.

Together, they'll help us uncover the emotional, psychological, and social toll of these invisible symptoms. We’ll explore why they’re so often under-recognized, how they impact daily life, and what can be done to ensure they’re taken seriously in both clinical care and public awareness.

Because when it comes to brain health, what we can’t see can hurt just as much as what we can.

The Brain Health Matters podcast is written and produced by Elizabeth Cunningham, on behalf of the European Federation of Neurological Associations, with support in 2025 from Roche, Merck, Alexion, PTC Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim and Lundbeck.