Cerebrum

In our Cerebrum article, "Finding the Hurt in Pain," Irene Tracey, head of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Oxford, writes that pain is unique to every person, and difficult to quantify and treat. Whether it is delivered as a jolt or a persistent, dull ache, pain is guaranteed to affect one's quality of life. Our podcast examines how brain imaging is opening our eyes to the richness and complexity of the pain experience, giving us extraordinary insight into the neurochemistry, network activity, wiring, and structures relevant to producing and modulating painful experiences in all their various guises. Tracey also discusses how imaging pain is having an increasing impact in the judiciary and in resolving end-of-life issues.

In our Cerebrum article, "Understanding the Terrorist Mind," Emile Bruneau writes about working to bring the tools of science to bear on the problem of intergroup conflict by characterizing cognitive biases. Bruneau, Ph.D., is a researcher and lecturer at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania. In this podcast, he addresses issues such as what constitutes terrorism, the role of social media, the link between brain imaging and behavior, and conflict resolution programs.

In our October Cerebrum article, "The Evolving View of Astrocytes," Philip G. Haydon writes about a type of glial cell that is prevalent in the cortex—the astrocyte. Haydon, Ph.D., is the Annetta and Gustav Grisard Professor and chair of the neuroscience department at Tufts University School of Medicine. In this podcast, he discusses the role of astrocytes in brain function and their potential to effect sleep, learning, and memory.

In our September Cerebrum article, "The Human Connectome Project: Progress and Prospects," David Van Essen, Ph.D., and Matthew Glasser, Ph.D., write about an ambitious six-year collaboration between neuroscientists at various institutions to map the brain with the help of 1,200 volunteers and ever evolving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. In this podcast, the pair discuss their role, some of the unexpected surprises, and what they hope to discover in the project's next phase.

In her July Cerebrum article, "Drinking Water and the Developing Brain," Ellen K. Silbergeld, Ph.D., a professor in epidemiology, environmental health sciences, and health policy and management at John Hopkins University and a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation "genius" award, writes about harmful contaminants that have been identified in our drinking water and others that have yet to be evaluated, much less regulated. Her podcast examines the Clean Water Act, the calamity in Flint, Michigan, and how to uncover whether your drinking water is safe.

In his June Cerebrum article, "The Neuro Funding Rollercoaster," Harry M. Tracy, Ph.D., founder and president of NI Research in Cardiff, CA and editor of NIR's bimonthly publication, NeuroPerspective, writes about the wild fluctuations of venture capital and private equity funding for neuroscience. In this podcast, Tracy discusses the past, present, and future climate in the areas he tracks and speculates about other areas that are also vital to providing money for research. One point comes across loud and clear: funding has the potential to make a difference and improve the quality of life for millions of people.

In their May Cerebrum article, "A New Approach for Epilepsy," Ray Dingledine, Ph.D., and Bjørnar Hassel, M.D., Ph.D.—longtime research collaborators—focus on a new study may very well initiate a shift to new therapeutic approaches for one-third of the 65 million people worldwide affected by epilepsy and who are treatment-resistant. They provide an overview of the disorder and the evolution of drug development, and discuss the pros and cons of a high-fat diet that is capable of alleviating symptoms in young children. Dingledine is professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology at Emory University School of Medicine, serves on the scientific advisory board of the Epilepsy Project, and chairs the investment committee of the Society for Neuroscience. Hassel, a neurologist and a biochemist, is professor and senior consultant at the University of Oslo, Department of Neurohabilitation.