Cerebrum

Michael L. Lipton, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.R., a neuroradiologist and neuroscientist who is associate director of the Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center and director of Radiology Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine as well as Medical Director of MRI Services at its University Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center, both in New York, discusses his Cerebrum article, his long career studying mild traumatic brain injury, and the ethical implications of kids playing contact sports.

Howard Hurtig, M.D., the Chair Emeritus of the Department of Neurology at Pennsylvania Hospital, discusses his Cerebrum article, what inspired him to research, and the challenges associated with solving a neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people.

Susan Magsamen, founder and executive director of the International Arts + Mind Lab, a pioneering neuroaesthetics initiative from the Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, discusses her Cerebrum article (dana.org/Cerebrum/2019/Your_Aesthetic_Brain_A_Growing_Case_for_the_Arts/) and research aimed at the intersection of brain sciences and the arts—and how our unique response to aesthetic experiences can amplify human potential.

UC Davis Neurorobotics Laboratory Director and Cerebrumauthor Karen Moxon discusses her Cerebrum article, the future of machine-brain interface, and the emerging technology's privacy and other ethical concerns.

University of Maryland cardiologist and Cerebrum author Michael Miller, M.D., talks about the reasons the heart is often overlooked in brain research and the tie between the amygdala, hippocampus, and the heart in reducing stress and helping people live longer, healthy lives.

Stanford University Department of Psychology chair and professor Anthony D. Wagner, Ph.D., talks about his Cerebrum article, "Multicosts of Multitasking," how the brain processes multitasking, and the importance of past and future research in this critical area.

Lee L. Rubin, Ph.D., a professor of stem cell and regenerative biology at Harvard University and director of therapeutic medicine at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, talks about his Cerebrum article, "Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Huge Steps," and new drugs and clinical trials that have improved survival rates significantly.

Along with the rising number of people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease (due to longer life spans) come two main concerns: finding remedies and helping them live comfortable and contented lives. Dorthe Berntsen, Ph.D., talks about her Cerebrum article, "Watering Memory Trees," and the impact of reminiscence therapy and retro environments on quality of life and treatment.

Do toys and games improve thinking or IQ, or do they just make a child better at playing the games? Kathryn Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D., talks about her Cerebrum article, "Brain Training for Kids: Adding a Human Touch," the $7.5 billion market for apps and games, and the latest research on its effectiveness.

While the human brain is hardwired to feel pleasure for basic survival necessities, such as eating and sex, music—although obviously pleasurable—doesn't offer the same evolutionary advantages.Robert J. Zatorre, Ph.D., talks about his Cerebrum article, "Why Do We Love Music," (dana.org/Cerebrum/2018/Why_Do_We_Love_Music/) his pioneering research at McGill University's Montreal Neurological Institute, and research that shows that music has the power to change an individual's brain.