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.

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.

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

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

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