This week Dr. Audrey Nath speaks with accomplished powerlifter and personal trainer Javeno McLean about how he became motivated to open a gym where he provides free personal training for people with disabilities. Javeno talks about his passion for improving both the physical and mental health of his clients. Next Dr. Nath sits down with Dr. Gottfried Schlaug, a vascular neurologist and professor of neurology at Baystate Medical Center - UMass Chan Medical School. Dr. Schlaug explains neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to adapt and recover after a brain injury. He also discusses the importance of learning new skills and participating in activities to improve neuroplasticity and overall health of your brain.

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206, or email us at [email protected].

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/14-ways-to-get-motivated-to-exercise

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/studying-brains-of-polyglots-for-insights-about-language

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/stroke/

Social Media:

Guest: Javeno McLean @J7healthJaveno (Twitter & Instagram)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

In this episode Dr. Daniel Correa sits down with Dr. Craig Stark, professor at the University of California, Irvine's Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, to learn more about memory. Dr. Stark shares the basics of how memory works and tips to maximize your brain's memory capability. Dr. Stark also discusses memory habits everyone can incorporate into their own lives.

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206, or email us at [email protected].

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/podcast/marilu-henner-and-the-mysteries-of-memory

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/how-gaming-may-boost-memory

Social Media:

Guest: Dr. Craig Stark @Craig__Stark (twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

In this episode Dr. Daniel Correa speaks with legendary U.S. soccer goalkeeper, Briana Scurry. Briana reflects on her journey as a professional athlete who experienced multiple concussions and how they impacted her physical and mental health. Briana also talks about the treatments and therapies that helped her overcome her brain injury. Next Dr. Correa speaks with Dr. Michael Jaffee, neurologist and professor of neurology at the University of Florida and co-author of the newest addition to the Brain & Life Books Series Navigating the Challenges of Concussion. Dr. Jaffee discusses the different types of concussions and traumatic brain injuries along with the typical progression of symptoms and various treatment protocols.

Additional Resources:

https://www.briscurry.com/

https://www.briscurry.com/my-greatest-save

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/concussion/

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/traumatic-brain-injury/

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/new-brain-life-book-explores-concussion

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/how-sports-neurologists-protect-football-players-brains

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/concussion-symptoms-checklist

Social Media:

Guest: Briana Scurry @BriScurry (Twitter and Instagram); Dr. Michael Jaffee @Michael_Jaffee (Twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

In this episode Dr. Audrey Nath speaks with lawyer, model, and brain tumor advocate Victoria Vesce. Victoria talks about symptoms she experienced that eventually led to her being diagnosed with two non-malignant brain tumors. Victoria shares what her recovery was like after surgery and why it was important for her to get involved with the National Brain Tumor Society. Next Dr. Nath talks with Dr. Justin Jordan, a neurologist and clinical director at Massachusetts General Hospital Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology and assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Jordan discusses nerve cell tumors like Victoria's along with information about clinical trials and the importance of advocacy to support people with neurologic conditions and research funding.

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/lawyer-model-survived-brain-tumors-and-gives-back

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/brain-tumor/

https://braintumor.org/

https://www.abta.org/

https://www.victoriavesce.com/about-me

Social Media:

Guest: Victoria Vesce @victoriavesce (Instagram) @victoriavesce_ (Twitter); Dr. Justin Jordan @jtjordan (Twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

This week Dr. Audrey Nath speaks with Dr. Reeta Achari, a neurologist in private practice and clinical associate professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at McGovern Medical School in Houston. Dr. Achari shares her passion for nutritional neurology and discusses how foundational vitamins, minerals, and whole foods affect the brain.

Additional Resources:

https://tasting-health.com/

https://www.brainandlife.org/the-magazine/online-exclusives/guard-against-stroke-with-these-four-recipes/

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/eating-ultra-processed-foods-may-increase-risk-of-dementia

Social Media: Tasting Health @tastinghealth (Twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

In this episode Dr. Daniel Correa speaks with Emmy nominated filmmaker Michelle Boyaner about her experience as a caregiver for her parents. Michelle also talks about her documentary It's Not A Burden: The Humor and Heartache of Raising Elderly Parents, which highlights experiences of adult children who are caring for their aging parents. Next Dr. Correa talks with Beth Kallmyer, vice president of Care and Support for the Alzheimer's Association. Beth discusses the various resources offered by the Alzheimer's Association and how their programs support people with Alzheimer's and dementia-related diseases as well as their caregivers.

To contact the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline dial 800-272-3900.

Additional Resources:

https://www.itsnotaburden.com/

www.alz.org

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/new-film-honors-caregiving

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/how-women-balance-caregiving-children-careers

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/alzheimers-disease/

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/disorders/dementia

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/disorders/dementia-with-lewy-bodies

Social Media:

Guest: Michelle Boyaner @michelleboyaner (Instagram/Twitter) It's Not a Burden Film @ItsNotABurden (Twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

In this episode Dr. Audrey Nath speaks with Victor and Libby Boyce, the parents of actor Cameron Boyce who passed away in 2019 from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Victor and Libby discuss Cameron's passion for performing and philanthropy as well as his epilepsy diagnosis that led to SUDEP—a rare complication of epilepsy. Victor and Libby also talk about The Cameron Boyce Foundation, an organization established to raise awareness about SUDEP and to fund epilepsy research. Next Dr. Nath talks to Dr. Alica Goldman, epileptologist and professor of neurology at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Goldman discusses epilepsy genetics and SUDEP and provides information about various therapies and resources.

Additional Resources:

https://www.thecameronboycefoundation.org/

awareness/https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/cameron-boyce-foundation-launches-new-epilepsy-initiative

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/epilepsy/

https://www.aesnet.org/

https://www.epilepsy.com/

Social Media:

Guest: The Cameron Boyce Foundation @thecameronboycefoundation (Instagram) Libby Boyce @libboyce (Instagram); Victor Boyce @thevictorboyce (Instagram)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

In this episode Dr. Daniel Correa speaks with neuroscientist and writer Dr. Joseph Jebelli. Dr. Jebelli talks about his books In the Pursuit of Memory: The Fight Against Alzheimer's and How the Mind Changed: A Human History of our Evolving Brain. The discussion explores the evolution of the human brain and how societal and cultural evolution interacts with our biological evolution. Practical recommendations for preserving cognitive function are also covered in the conversation.

Additional Resources:

https://www.josephjebelli.com/

https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com/

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/disorders/alzheimer-s-disease

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/tips-may-lower-risk-of-alzheimers-disease

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/mediterranean-diet-recipes-promote-brain-gut-health

Social Media:

Guest: Little, Brown Spark @lbsparksbooks (Twitter); Little Brown & Co. @littlebrown (Twitter); John Murray Press @johnmurrays (Twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

In this episode Dr. Audrey Nath speaks with Great British Bake Off contestant Lizzie Acker. Lizzie shares her experience of being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and dyspraxia and how she has learned to overcome the challenges that accompany these diagnoses not only to build confidence but also to create beautiful baked goods. Next Dr. Nath talks with Dr. David Urion, behavioral neurologist and director of education and director of behavioral neurology clinics and programs at Boston Children's Hospital, and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Urion explains the history of ADHD, how it was first diagnosed, and how it is treated today.

Additional Resources:

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/disorders/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/disorders/dyslexia

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/adults-with-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-often-have-other-conditions

https://chadd.org/

https://dyslexiafoundation.org/

Social Media:

Guest: @lizzieacker_ (Instagram), @lizzieacker_ (Twitter), @lizzie.a.bakes (TikTok)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD

In this episode, Dr. Audrey Nath speaks with Dr. Evan Noch, a neuro-oncologist and assistant professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian. Dr. Noch shares his unique perspective as a physician who sees patients and researches treatments for brain tumors as someone who was also diagnosed with his own brain tumor, called an acoustic neuroma. Dr. Noch discusses his hearing loss that alerted him to see a doctor and then talks about his experience of surgery and recovery.

Additional Resources:

https://www.newser.com/story/323364/when-a-brain-cancer-doctor-finds-out-he-has-a-brain-tumor.html

https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/brain-tumor/

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/lawyer-model-survived-brain-tumors-and-gives-back

Social Media:

Guest: Dr. Evan Noch @EvanNoch (Twitter)

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Audrey Nath @AudreyNathMDPhD