In this episode, we discuss the link between the gut microbiome and brain health with Dr. Barbara Bendlin, Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Associate Director of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. We explore why the gut microbiome has emerged as an exciting new area of Alzheimer’s disease research and what current evidence suggests about its role in brain aging and dementia risk. Dr. Bendlin explains what the gut microbiome is, how it changes with aging and Alzheimer’s disease, and whether it could one day help identify individuals at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. We also discuss the evidence behind approaches to modifying the gut microbiome including diet, probiotics, and fecal transplantation, and the challenges of translating these discoveries into clinical practice.

Dr. Bendlin's Lab Website: https://bendlinlab.medicine.wisc.edu/

Hosted By AMBER KIDWAI & SARAH MONIER

Filmed And Edited By PAN GU

Marketing & Operations Producer: PATRICIA MORAN

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In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Wendy Rogers, Professor of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, to talk about human factors—what it really means to design technology with people in mind. We learn how technology is shaping independence, dignity, and well-being as we age, and what happens when design truly reflects human needs. We also explore exciting innovations like assistive robots that support everyday tasks, enhance social connection, and even play a role in caregiving and dementia care. Whether you’re interested in aging, robotics, or the role of technology in our daily lives, this is a  conversation you won’t want to miss.

DR. WENDY ROGERS Lab: http://www.hfaging.org/

Google Scholar: https://scholar-google-com.utd.idm.oc...

Hosted By AMBER KIDWAI & SARAH MONIER

Filmed And Edited By PAN GU

Marketing & Operations Producer: PATRICIA MORAN

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In this episode, we discuss the Cerebellum, or 'Little Brain', with Dr. Jessica Bernard, an Endowed Professor at Texas A & M University. We discuss her work on how cognitive and motor behavior changes with aging, and how the cerebellum, an often overlooked little brain region at the bottom of the brain, plays a big role in how we move, think and age. Dr. Bernard shares research on sex differences and how this region is affected by hormones and impacted by Alzheimer's disease. We explore the broad role of the cerebellum in shaping cognition, memory and resilience in aging and disease and we dive into how this region may be a new target for interventions aimed at slowing cognitive decline.

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DR. JESSICA BERNARD Lab: https://www.lifespancognitivelab.com/

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?...

HOSTED BY: Amber Kidwai and Sarah Monier

FILMED AND EDITED BY: Pan Gu

MARKETING & OPERATIONS PRODUCER: Patricia Moran

Welcome to our new ‘Round Table Series’ where Sarah and Amber chat about the latest research in brain health! In this episode we examine the relationship between heart health and brain health, with insights from Dr. Binu Thomas, an Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center whose research focuses on neuroimaging and cerebrovascular physiology. We discuss how physical health impacts brain health, what this looks like in aging and dementia, and practical tips for keeping our brains healthy as we age. 

How does the brain know where we are -- and how do we find our way through the world? In this episode, we explore the cognitive neuroscience of spatial navigation with Dr. Steven Weisberg, a cognitive neuroscientist at The University of Texas at Arlington. We discuss how the brain supports navigation, why some people have a better sense of direction than others, how navigation abilities change with age, and how tools like GPS and virtual reality shape spatial cognition. Dr. Weisberg also shares insights into whether navigation skills can be trained and practical ways we can improve our ability to find our way.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Beatriz Luna, Distinguished Professor at the University of Pittsburgh and a pioneer in research on the adolescent brain. We discuss the science behind teenage impulsivity and risk taking and why these behaviors are not only normal. but essential for learning, exploration, and developing independence. Dr. Luna explains the neurobiological changes taking place during this critical stage of life and discusses their implications for mental health and addiction. We also explore how this research can inform public policies that better support adolescents. Finally, she offers practical guidance for supporting teens as they navigate this exciting yet challenging period.

In this special episode, recorded in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Center for Vital Longevity (CVL), we welcome Dr. Yaakov Stern—recipient of the inaugural Denise C. Park Research Excellence Award.

We discuss his influential theory of cognitive reserve and explore how our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease has evolved over the decades. Dr. Stern also shares insights from his longitudinal RANN study and discusses how lifestyle, education, and even early-life experiences shape our brain’s ability to adapt and thrive as we age.

In this episode, we meet with Dr. Jaime Castrellon, an Assistant Professor at UCLA. We discuss the science of decision-making and how emotions, moral judgments, and social context steer our choices. We also talk about dopamine’s role in choice, why we often go for immediate rewards, and how resisting social pressure may change with age. Our conversation also turns to the courtroom: Dr. Castrellon explains how biases can influence the decisions jurors make and how storytelling and narratives also play a role.

Dr. Michael Rugg, Distinguished Chair at the University of Texas at Dallas, Director of the Center for Vital Longevity, and a leading figure in the cognitive neuroscience of memory, joins us to pay tribute to the life and work of Dr. Eleanor Maguire, an award-winning Professor at the University College London. We discuss her groundbreaking research on memory and spatial navigation and how her innovative use of cutting-edge technology shaped our understanding of how the brain supports these processes. Her famous ‘London Taxi Driver’ study demonstrated the brain’s remarkable ability to continue to change throughout life, and her commitment to studying human brain function in naturalistic settings continues to inspire researchers worldwide. Sadly, Dr. Maguire passed away earlier this year. We hope you enjoy this discussion about her profound impact on the field of cognitive neuroscience. Thank you so much for tuning in!

Dr. Louis Renoult, a cognitive neuroscientist and lecturer at the University of East Anglia in the UK,  explores how different types of memory, like episodic and semantic memory, are represented in the brain and how they interact. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Renoult about the distinctions between these memory systems, the key brain networks that support them, and how our memories evolve over time. We also discuss how time and context shape what we remember - and what we forget.  As always, thank you for tuning in - and we hope you enjoy this episode!