In his latest book, neuroscientist David Linden explains the science of touch. He tells Fresh Air how pain protects, why fingertips are so sensitive and why you can’t read Braille with your genitals.
Our interview with David Linden is free on iTunes. But we didn’t talk just about his book. We dove into the newest research David and his lab are working on and the personal side of being a neuroscientist.
David Linden thinks the brain is a FREAKING MESS.
Episode 26 - Discovering Circuits with Dr. Massimo Scanzinai
On this episode of Brain Matters, Anthony talked with Dr. Massimo Scanziani (Professor, UC San Diego; HHMI Investigator) not just about his contributions to neuroscience, but about his journey as a scientist, a student, and a mentor. Massimo’s history is fascinating and motivating.
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Episode 25 - Addiction and Glutamate Transmission with Dr. Marina Wolf
For our 25th episode, Matt and Dr. Marina Wolf (Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at the Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science) talk about Marina’s work in addiction and how this is related to mechanisms in learning and memory.
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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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The Pulse profiled the work of recent Brain Matters guest Maria Geffen.
“Based on the context under which you hear some sounds, you need to respond to it in a different way,” Geffen said. “I can hear the honking — that’s probably more important, because I don’t want to die right now.”
Wow! Brain Matters has been featured on PlayerFM’s list of ‘Best Neuroscience Podcasts’ alongside a few really great shows. So exciting!
Check out the whole list here!
Episode 18 - The Negative Impacts of Stress with Dr. David Morilak
Is stress good or bad? Do the negative impacts of a stressful life outweight the benefits of the adaptive physiological response? Matt and Dr. David Morilak (Professor of Pharmacology, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio) talk about what defines a stress response and why we have them to begin with. We also find out if stress researchers have the secret to beating anxiety.
Thanks to Audible for supporting Brain Matters efforts in science outreach and education. Get a free audiobook of your choice at audiblepodcast.com/brainmatters.
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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.
One of our favorite guests, Dr. Amelia Eisch, gave a great lecture at Quinnipiac University. If you’re still craving more about adult neurogenesis, listen to our interview with Amelia for free on iTunes.