This year's Farmer's Almanac predicts that the winter of 2016 will bring unseasonably cold conditions over most of the country, including much of the Tennessee and Mississippi valleys and the Gulf Coast.

For those with neurologic conditions, snow and ice mean taking extra precautions: bundling up in layers, taking extra care on sidewalks and roads—especially if you have balance or mobility problems—and making sure you are well stocked with supplies at home in case the weather leaves you snowbound. It's a great time to catch up on reading, too, so I'm hopeful this issue has something for everyone.

Whether or not you are a sports fan, our cover story on Brian Grant called "Powering Forward" is sure to inspire you. The former NBA player known for his ferocious defense was given the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease when he was only 36. After overcoming a series of setbacks that included retirement, divorce, and depression, he established the Brian Grant Foundation in 2010 to empower those with Parkinson's disease to live active and fulfilling lives through exercise and diet.

Our Living Well column describes people with neurologic conditions who have committed their lives to advocacy by starting support groups, raising awareness or funds, or speaking in front of Congress to encourage research in neurologic disease and lobby for change. It also includes tips on how you can become an activist too.

In a feature called "Weighty Matters," experts discuss the link between obesity and neurologic problems such as sleep apnea, dementia, and even migraine. They also provide helpful advice for getting weight under control. Our delightful feature called "Healing Tails" about service and therapy dogs proves that treatments that don't come in a bottle sometimes work best. If you know someone with autism, dementia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, or Parkinson's disease, it's possible they too may benefit from canine companions.

As always, we try to have something of interest for each of you to increase awareness of neurologic disease and brain health. It's especially fitting this March, during which Brain Awareness Week is being celebrated throughout the world. For information about activities near you, visit dana.org/baw.

Finally, we are introducing several neurologist bloggers to the Neurology Now family. Be sure to look on BrainandLife.org for their advice on subjects like stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease.

Happy reading!

Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN

Editor-in-Chief