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Unlocking Bryson's Brain

CBC STORIES

Bryson is a beautiful, happy and loving boy. But a mysterious illness means he can’t walk, talk, or feed himself. After years without a diagnosis, even Bryson’s parents have come to accept that he may never be able to live independently. Then one day, everything changes. Scientists working at the cutting edge of genetics believe they know what’s causing Bryson’s disease — and think it could be reversed. Motivated by the hope for a cure, Bryson’s parents search for the miracle key that could unlock Bryson’s brain. Join Bryson's dad, host Keith McArthur, on their family's journey to understanding their son's rare condition.

Season 1

  1. EPISODE 1

    The Mystery Disease

    Bryson seems like a perfectly healthy baby. But soon doctors confirm his parents’ worst fears: something is wrong with Bryson’s brain. Despite dozens of tests over nearly a decade, doctors come up empty in their efforts to find a diagnosis. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/unlocking-bryson-s-brain-transcripts-listen-1.6740317

    53 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    Getting a Diagnosis

    From violent seizure-like episodes to insensitive comments from strangers, Bryson has a hard life. But after years of searching, doctors finally provide a diagnosis. The news changes everything for Bryson’s parents and provides a possible path to new treatments — or even a cure. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/unlocking-bryson-s-brain-transcripts-listen-1.6740317

    45 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    The CRISPR Revolution

    Bryson’s parents explore CRISPR, a new technology with the potential to cure dozens of diseases once thought incurable. But gene editing comes with risks — not just for individual patients, but for the human race. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/unlocking-bryson-s-brain-transcripts-listen-1.6740317

    34 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    A New Hope

    Bryson’s family travels to meet other GRIN1 patients, including Bryson’s GRIN-twin Olivia. And research on mice offers new hope for finding a cure. But a new illness means that the family now needs two medical miracles. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/unlocking-bryson-s-brain-transcripts-listen-1.6740317

    53 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Making a Mouse

    Scientists in Toronto get to work building a mouse with Bryson’s precise genetic variant. Plus, the family travels to Atlanta to provide blood samples for a researcher to create DNA-based “mini-brains” in his lab. Could this cutting edge science provide clues to unlocking Bryson’s brain? For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/unlocking-bryson-s-brain-transcripts-listen-1.6740317

    43 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    The Ethics of Cure

    Finding a cure for Bryson no longer seems impossible. And that raises new questions about the ethics of this journey. Bryson’s family seeks out new perspectives and learns why “cure” is a loaded term in the disability rights community. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/unlocking-bryson-s-brain-transcripts-listen-1.6740317

    50 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    Pilgrimage to Boston

    Bryson’s parents travel to Boston/Cambridge, the global capital for rare disease research. Their goal: to ask private biotech companies to help in their search for a cure. Scientists provide new clues, but also raise difficult questions. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/unlocking-bryson-s-brain-transcripts-listen-1.6740317

    41 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    Two Futures

    After months of waiting, the “Bryson mouse” is finally ready for lab tests that will provide new insights into treatments and cures. And Bryson’s parents explore two possible versions of Bryson’s future. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/unlocking-bryson-s-brain-transcripts-listen-1.6740317

    59 min

  9. EPISODE 9

    An Update

    Bryson's family struggles with the trials of pandemic life. A death in the community underscores the need for a cure — and promising new research might make one possible.

    59 min

  10. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Introducing: Unlocking Bryson's Brain

    Bryson is a beautiful, happy boy. But a mysterious illness means he can’t walk, talk, or feed himself. Scientists working at the cutting edge of genetics believe they know what’s causing Bryson’s disease — and think it could be reversed. Motivated by the hope for a cure, Bryson’s parents search for the miracle key that could unlock Bryson’s brain. Hosted by Keith McArthur, released April 2020.

    4 min

Trailer

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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Bryson is a beautiful, happy and loving boy. But a mysterious illness means he can’t walk, talk, or feed himself. After years without a diagnosis, even Bryson’s parents have come to accept that he may never be able to live independently. Then one day, everything changes. Scientists working at the cutting edge of genetics believe they know what’s causing Bryson’s disease — and think it could be reversed. Motivated by the hope for a cure, Bryson’s parents search for the miracle key that could unlock Bryson’s brain. Join Bryson's dad, host Keith McArthur, on their family's journey to understanding their son's rare condition.

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