Speaking of the Brain

What can the brain’s ventricles tell us about how the brain develops? In this episode of Speaking of the Brain, I explore research connecting ventricular development, neural stem cells, hydrocephalus, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. We’ll look at how changes in these fluid-filled structures may offer clues about developmental processes beginning much earlier in the brain and the potential to serve as an early detection tool for neurodevelopmental disorders.

In Part 2 of "My Journey in Neuroscience", I share how my interests in neurodevelopment and kidney physiology came together through research on the kidney-brain axis in Dr. Harshman's lab at the University of Iowa. I discuss using spatial transcriptomics to investigate how pediatric chronic kidney disease may affect different regions of the developing brain and reflect on what I have learned from these experiences about curiosity and growth in research.

In this episode of Speaking of the Brain, I share the story of how my journey into neuroscience research began at the University of Iowa's PEND Laboratory led by Dr. Hanna Stevens, M.D., Ph.D. From studying the placenta's role in neurodevelopment to discovering the value of curiosity, mentorship, and persistence, I reflect on the research experience that shaped my passion for becoming a physician-scientist and for neuroscience.

Description:

In this episode of Speaking of the Brain, we explore BrainIAC, a new AI tool that analyzes brain MRI scans to help predict brain age, dementia risk, stroke timing, brain tumor mutations, and cancer survival. Tune in to hear about how AI may uncover hidden patterns in medical images and what this could mean for earlier detection, more personalized care, and hope for many patients.

References:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-026-02202-6

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2026/02/new-ai-tool-predicts-brain-age-dementia-risk-cancer-survival/

https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/press-releases/ai-tool-brainiac-identifies-key-neuro-health-indicators-from-mri-datasets

How can a brain implant adjust itself in real time? In this episode, we explore adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), a newly FDA-approved technology that can sense abnormal brain activity and automatically respond to changing symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Learn how decades of research led to this breakthrough and how it could transform the future of neurological treatment.

References:

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/02/deep-adaptive-brain-stimulation-parkinsons.html

https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/09/helen-bronte-stewart-parkinsons-treatment-research-deep-brain-stimulation-therapy

https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/ask-md-next-generation-dbs-here

https://stanmed.stanford.edu/adbs-parkinsons-brain-pacemaker/

In this special episode of Speaking of the Brain, I sit down with Dr. Debebe Theodros, a neurosurgery resident at Stanford University and one of my mentors through the Harris Neuroscience Internship.

We discuss Dr. Theodros’s journey into medicine and neurosurgery, the challenges of training in one of the most demanding medical specialties, and the mentors who helped shape his path. Dr. Theodros also shares valuable insights about resilience, learning from failure, and what it means to support the next generation of scientists.

As someone who has learned so much from his mentorship, this conversation was especially meaningful to me. I hope listeners can take away a glimpse into the possible pathways for a neuroscientist and are encouraged to stay curious and keep moving forward even when things don’t go as planned.

How does the brain turn practice into muscle memory? In this episode, we delve into how movement and memory are encoded in the brain, as explored through the work of Stanford neuroscientist Dr. Jun Ding. Learn how neural circuits refine with practice, why skills become automatic over time, and what this research reveals about aging, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.

Sources:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/inside-the-science-of-memory

https://www.usa.edu/blog/science-backed-memory-tips/

https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2024/03/memory-age-dementia-healthy-brain.html

https://neuroscience.stanford.edu/news/stanford-researchers-observe-memory-formation-real-time

https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2022/07/the-science-behind-muscle-memory.html

https://scitechdaily.com/stanford-scientists-rethink-how-we-learn-to-move-in-the-world/

https://brainresilience.stanford.edu/news/rethinking-how-we-learn-move-world

https://www.science.org.au/curious/people-medicine/all-our-different-types-memories

Why do New Year’s resolutions start out strong and then fizzle so fast? On this episode of Speaking of the Brain, we dive into what your brain is really doing when you try to change. From habit loops to motivation crashes to decision fatigue, we’ll explore why sticking to goals is harder than it seems and how to outsmart your own brain.

Sources:

https://sceniccityneurotherapy.com/why-new-years-resolutions-fail-a-neuroscience-and-psychological-perspective/

https://time.com/7342704/new-year-resolutions/

https://www.uab.edu/news/news-you-can-use/brain-hack-neuroscience-tips-to-make-new-years-resolutions-stick

https://news.wfu.edu/2025/12/11/thinking-of-making-new-years-resolutions-the-trick-isnt-trying-harder-its-planning-smarter/

https://hbr.org/2022/01/to-build-new-habits-get-comfortable-failing 

Are you “left-brained” or “right-brained”? In this episode, we take a closer look at the popular myth behind the brain dominance theory and explore what neuroscience actually says. From hemispheric specialization to the brain’s high-speed communication system, the corpus callosum, we uncover why creativity, logic, intuition, and reasoning aren’t split down the middle. Tune in for a myth-busting dive into how the brain really functions as a whole.

In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking “digital bridge” developed by Dr. Grégoire Courtine and Dr. Jocelyne Bloch, a wireless brain-spine interface that helps restore movement after spinal cord injury. Learn how thoughts can once again become actions through cutting-edge neurotechnology.

Sources:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/post-next/interactive/2025/jocelyne-bloch-gregoire-courtine/

https://www.wired.com/sponsored/story/rolex-gregoire-courtine-neuroscience/

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03306-x

https://www.lausanneuniversityhospital.com/brain-computer-interface-enables-thought-controlled-walking-after-spinal-cord-injury

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05385-7