Think Twice Podcast

Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in human cognitive functioning, encompassing different neurological profiles like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc. Rather than thinking of these differences as medical conditions in need of treatment, the idea of neurodiversity shifts this ideology to think about these differences as a form of natural human diversity, each offering distinct perspectives and contributions to society. This framework calls for changes in both clinical and cultural narratives but how do we approach this in the scientific community? In this episode, we discuss all things neurodiversity and talk about how neurodiverse perspectives are being included in biomedical studies in order to recognize, and support diverse neurological experiences.

Matt joined the Scott lab in September 2022. He graduated from University of California Santa Cruz with B.S. in Cognitive Science with Honors and a minor in computer science and worked in the High Level Perception Lab under Professor Nicolas Davidenko. Professionally, Matt worked at Open Minds, Silicon Valley. Working closely with self-advocates, Matt helped found the Social Innovation Lab, a UX lab focused on inclusivity and accessibility in education. Currently, his research surrounds sensory integration and voluntary motor control using non-human primate models.

Authors: Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

When you eat very few carbs or go for a while without eating, your body can change its main energy source. Instead of running on sugar from food, your body starts burning fat, producing another source of energy in the process: ketones. For many years now, ketones have been investigated for multiple health benefits, such as weight loss, but also for boosting energy, improving focus, and supporting brain and heart health. Some research even suggests ketones might help protect against diseases like Alzheimer’s. But how legitimate is the hype surrounding ketogenic diets? In this grad student interview episode with Paule, we discuss ketogenic diets, the aging brain and the potential to use ketones as a therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease.

Paule defines herself as a curious limitless African neuroscientist. She left her country Côte d’Ivoire to study the complexity of the aging brain. She is currently doing her PhD between the University of Montreal and the University of Sherbrooke. Using behavioural tests as well as cellular and molecular analytic tools, she investigates the therapeutic potential of ketogenic dietary interventions in Alzheimer’s Disease. The goal is to optimize lifestyle-based interventions for the prevention and treatment of aging-related neurodegenerative disorders.

Authors: Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Grad school defenses are the ultimate test of a researcher’s expertise, challenging students to defend their work (sometimes years worth of it!) before a panel of experts. But why are they so important? In this episode, we break down the purpose of various types of defenses, what makes them so nerve-wracking, and how they shape the next generation of scientists.

Authors: Eve Racette, Elena Koning, Shima Hassanpour, Golnar Taheri

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

In neuroscience research, very small details can make a big difference in the results and in the way they are interpreted. If research conditions aren’t carefully optimized, studies can produce inconsistent or unreliable findings, and can stall research in specific fields for months, sometimes even years. By fine-tuning their research parameters, scientists can get clearer, more accurate insights into how the brain really works. In this grad student interview episode, we discuss why optimizing basic research parameters is important to understand the pathological mechanisms of stroke.

Sophie Wolkoff is a recent graduate from the Centre for Neuroscience Studies at Queen's University , where she completed her master's degree. As a master's student, she studied under the supervision of Dr. David Andrew. Their research focused on "spreading depolarizations", which are a cellular phenomenon that occurs in the brain following strokes and other traumatic brain injuries. For her thesis in particular, Sophie conducted research on how temperature affects spreading depolarization, as well as how both of these factors can influence the preparation of rodent brain slices. Aside from her passion for neuroscience, she loves traveling, rock-climbing, and spending time with family and friends.

Authors: Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Memory gives meaning to our lives. It shapes the way we think, feel, act and helps us navigate through our lives. Science fiction in literature and cinema have exploited the idea of memory manipulation with fascinating stories. A neuroscience understanding of memory has great clinical implications. Understanding how emotion is linked to memory may help find ways to treat PTSD. Join us on this episode, where we discuss how memories are formed, its use in media, its impact on society, the neuroscience behind memory and the interesting ways researchers are using our understanding of memory to manipulate it.

Authors: Nick Preenan, Eve Racette

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Love is a focal point of our favourite movies, music, and most cherished memories. But what really happens in the brain when we fall in love? Is "love at first sight" real? Does the media get it right, or are we being fed myths about what romance really looks like? In this special Valentine's Day episode, we break down the neuroscience of love, attraction, and attachment. From synapses to soulmates, we discuss the neurobiology of falling in love, the role of social media and dating apps, dark sides of love, and the truth behind the "five love languages." We also provide 8 practical tips to improve your own love-life and relationships, based on neuroscience. Whether your a hopeless romanic, skeptical scientist, or just curious about love, we look forward to sharing this knowledge with you. Love, Think Twice.

Authors: Elena Koning, Eve Racette

Resources:

Domestic violence resources (Canada): https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html

Domestic violence resources (US): https://www.thehotline.org/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

The idea that technology may be able to directly capture and control our thoughts is both fascinating and scary. But this type of technology has been around and is continues to be developed for a variety of applications. In this episode, we speak to Dr. Susan Boehnke about brain computer interfaces and neuromarketing. We dive into the ethical implications of brain-computer interface (BCI) applications—are these technologies enhancing human potential or invading our privacy? We also unpack how the media's portrayal of BCIs often exaggerates their capabilities, contrasting it with their real-world use. Plus, we explore neuromarketing: the fascinating history of how companies use brain data to influence your choices and shape marketing strategies. Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation! Susan Boehnke completed a PhD in Neuroscience (2002) at Dalhousie University as a Killam Scholar using psychophysical and neurophysiological approaches to examine spatial processing in the auditory system. She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in primate visual and oculomotor neurophysiology with Prof. Doug Munoz at Queen’s Univ. In collaboration with Profs. Munoz and De Felice (Brazil), she took a lead role in the creation and validation of one of the first non-human primate (NHP) models of Alzheimer’s disease using behavioural, neurophysiological, neuroimaging, and molecular approaches. She led development of the first NHP biobank in Canada, and the establishment of normative values of fluid biomarkers of neurodegeneration in macaques. During COVID, her team used the NHP facility at Queen’s to explore the effect of social enrichment and isolation on the brain.

In response to recent explosion of interest in neurotechnology, such as brain computer interfaces, she has now turned her attention to creating a micro-credential program in neurotechnology (https://neurotechmicrocreds.com/) and exploring ethical issues related to neurotech. She is also the lead of the Training Committee for Connected Minds: Neural and Machine Systems for a Healthy, Just Society, a large Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) program between York and Queen’s Universities.

This episode is sponsored by the Connected Minds program. Connected Minds, funded by the Canadian First Research Excellence Fund, is a 7-year collaborative program between York University and Queen’s University that focuses on interdisciplinary, ethical, and socially responsible research and technology development. The program offers funding for trainees, researchers, and artists. To learn more and get involved, visit the Connected Minds website.

Website: https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/

Authors: Deanne Pinto, Eve Racette

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) allow us to connect the brain directly to an external device. By implanting some electrodes in certain regions of the brain, we can record brain activity and connect it to a computer or prosthetic that can then carry out the action that is being decoded based on the neural activity. Cool, huh? But before we get carried away by all the potential these technologies have, its important to discuss what the current state of research truly is and what ethical considerations we may start to face when these implants become more common. In this episode, we discuss current BCI research, its very promising avenues and its ethical challenges.

Authors: Eve Racette, Sapphire Newman-Fogel, Deanne Pinto

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

DNA is the code for life, it's in all of our cells and it makes us who we are. But, it can also make things go terribly wrong, leading to genetic diseases and predispositions to other diseases like cancer. A cutting-edge field known as gene therapy is focused on manipulating that code to study diseases and develop novel therapeutics that rely on genetic engineering techniques. So how does it all work? What is CRISPR? Will it lead to a future of designer babies and super humans? In this episode, we're switching things up for the new year and putting our host Eve in the hot seat to discuss her field of work; genetic engineering and the potential of gene therapies to treat brain conditions.

Authors: Eve Racette, Elena Koning

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Did you know that your eye is actually an extension of your brain? Ever heard of an eye microbiome? Why do you have to sneeze when you go into the sun? Can vitamin D supplements really replace the vitamin D you get from the sun? What role do your eyes play in vitamin D levels and why do we even care about Vitamin D anyway? How is the risk of developing multiple sclerosis or optic neuropathy related to your geographic location on earth? We discuss all of these questions and more in this episode on the neuroscience of eyes!

Kabeer Thaker is a second year PhD student in the vision science research laboratory, under the supervision of Dr. Jacob Rullo. His research focuses on the presence and function of vitamin D within the neuro-ocular microenvironment and how it impacts down-stream neuroprotection in disease conditions. Alongside his research, he is passionate about science education/outreach and community engagement. He is also an avid skier and outdoor enthusiast!

Authors: Eve Racette, Elena Koning

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.