#125: The MS Brain Health Strategy: Treatments, Cognitive Tools & Patient Empowerment with Prof. Barbara Willekens

MS-Perspektive - The Multiple Sclerosis Podcast

📖 Read the full blog interview here 👉 https://ms-perspektive.com/125-barbara-willekens

🎙️ What’s this episode about?

In episode 125, neurologist Prof. Barbara Willekens shares powerful insights on how to protect and improve your brain health while living with MS. We talk about the importance of early treatment, how lifestyle changes and digital tools can help, and why shared decision-making empowers patients to take control of their care.

Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been managing MS for years, this conversation offers guidance, hope, and practical tips to support your cognitive and physical well-being.

🧠 Topics we cover:

• What "brain health" really means for people with MS

• Why early and high-efficacy disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) are essential

• The role of lifestyle choices: small changes, big impact

• How to manage comorbidities like anxiety, sleep problems or hypertension

• Strategies for maintaining cognitive function

• Digital tools and wearables to track your brain health

• What shared decision-making looks like in real life

• The global inequality in MS care and what can be done about it

• Prof. Willekens' vision for the next breakthrough in MS treatment

🔥 Memorable quotes:

“You can still have brain health—even with MS.” “Stopping smoking would be my number one advice.” “Being diagnosed with MS today is completely different than 20 years ago.”

👩‍⚕️ About my guest:

Prof. Barbara Willekens is a neurologist and senior MS specialist at Antwerp University Hospital. She is also a clinical researcher focusing on advanced therapies, brain repair, and multidisciplinary MS care.

🔗 Follow her on LinkedIn or search her work on PubMed

📌 Resources mentioned:

• MS Brain Health Strategy: https://www.msbrainhealth.org

• Linked episodes on smoking, cognition, and family planning – see blog post for direct links!

See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

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