This Review considers how variants in genes encoding proteins that regulate epigenetic mechanisms might contribute to epilepsy. The discussion is structured around five categories of epigenetic mechanisms: DNA methylation, histone modifications, histone–DNA crosstalk, non-coding RNAs and chromatin remodelling.

In this Roadmap, Marrie and colleagues set out the steps needed to improve our understanding of the multiple sclerosis (MS) prodrome and develop standardized criteria for identifying individuals with prodromal MS, thereby facilitating trials of interventions that could slow progression to classical MS.

The fifth edition of the WHO classification of CNS tumours was published in 2021. Here, Horbinski and colleagues summarize the main changes in this new edition and discuss how each change will affect post-surgical treatment, clinical trial enrolment and cooperative studies.

A new study describes a brain–machine interface that can detect pain episodes and deliver timely treatment in rats.

A new study describes a brain–machine interface that can detect pain episodes and deliver timely treatment in rats.

Molecular pathways involved in early neurodegeneration in progressive multiple sclerosis have been identified with a novel tissue analysis technique.

Mild COVID-19 can have long-term effects on the brain via neuroinflammatory mechanisms, according to new research.

Low-resource settings lag behind the rest of the world in achieving good health, in part owing to poor translation of clinical evidence into practice. Focusing on neurological disorders — in particular, stroke — this Comment identifies barriers to translation at the individual, provider and health systems levels and proposes theory-driven mitigating solutions.

Effective translation of evidence from clinical trials into clinical practice requires the enrolment of diverse, representative trial populations. However, this diversity is still often lacking, with negative clinical implications for under-served groups. Changes are needed to research practices and the broader research landscape to correct this problem.

The past 5–10 years have seen rapid advances in digital sensors and imaging-based technologies for the diagnosis of neurological conditions. However, the majority of these technologies are in the early stages of development — now is the time to consider how we validate these tools and safely integrate them into clinical practice.