Episode 32 - Translational Control in Neurons with Dr. Eric Klann

Creating new proteins is necessary for neurons to change the strength of their connections with each other. This process, known as translation, is controlled by a complex system of molecules and signlaing pathways. Anthony spoke with Dr. Eric Klann (Professor, New York University) about how understanding the minutiae of translational control in neurons can help us understand learning and memory, as well as developing potential therapeutics for cognitive disorders.

Music on today’s episode by Golden Living Room

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Episode 27 - Memory, the Cerebellum, and Axons with Dr. David Linden

Anthony and Dr. David Linden (Professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) talked this week about David’s neuroscience research and how he gets inspiration in and out of lab. Anthony also asked David about his journey to becoming a successful scientist and best-selling author.

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Episode 23 - Decaying Memories with Dr. Paul Frankland

On this episode of Brain Matters, Anthony talks about memory with Dr. Paul Frankland (Principal Investigator, Neurobiology Laboratory at The Hospital for Sick Children). How do the details of memories become lost forever? And why is it that your first memory falls so late in life?

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Can going to the gym improve your learning, memory, and cognition? Neuroscientist and Brain Matters guest Wendy Suzuki answers that question in her 2011 TEDx talk.

It seems that chronic media-multitaskers are more susceptible to distractions. In contrast, people who do not usually engage in media-multitasking showed a greater ability to focus on important information. According to the researchers, this reflects two fundamentally different strategies of information processing. Those who engage in media-multitasking more frequently are “breadth-biased,” preferring to explore any available information rather than restrict themselves… they develop a habit of treating all information equally. On the other extreme are those who avoid breadth in favor of information that is relevant to an immediate goal.

Portrait of a Multitasking Mind - an article about work done by recent Brain Matters guest Dr. Anthony Wagner. Listen to our interview with Wagner free on iTunes.

Dr. Kenneth Kosik from the University of California, Santa Barbara describes Alzheimer’s Disease. We talked with Kosik about his research and what steps he and his colleagues are taking to understand this disease.

The full documentary, “Filling the Blank” is on CNN’s website:
Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four

Want more from previous Brain Matters guest Dr. Amelia Eisch? Here’s a great lecture from The National Academy of Science’s Distinctive Voices program.

Listen to Amelia talk to Brain Matters about her work free on iTunes!