Best Allan Brady Podcasts (2025)

1
Sridevi Sarma: Using DSM and Neuro-engineering to Diagnose and Treat Neurological Disorders 52:43

3d ago52:43

52:43

Neurological disorders involve aberrant neural network activity. New technologies are needed for establishing at a fine spatial and temporal resolution the nature of the altered network activity – and for restoring activity to or towards a healthy state. Professor Sri Sarma is an electrical engineer and neuroscientist who is at the forefront of thi…

1
Brian Kennedy: Decoding Metabolic Aging Clocks to Understand and Counteract Aging 1:20:19

19d ago1:20:19

1:20:19

Major progress has recently been made in understanding the aging process at the molecular, cellular, and organ system levels. This knowledge is now being applied in preventative and interventional health care. Moreover, because of the severe burden of age-related diseases on societies governments are increasingly developing strategies to extend hea…

1
Briony Rogers on resilient communities, systems change, and fire to flourish 35:24

26d ago35:24

35:24

In this episode, Elizabeth speaks with Professor Briony Rogers, based at Monash University’s Sustainable Development Institute. Briony is CEO of Fire to Flourish, a pioneering initiative partnering with fire-affected communities, researchers and philanthropy to co-create a model of holistic support for community-led disaster recovery and resilience…

1
Anton Maximov – The Synaptic Signatures of a Memory: Zooming in Using Cutting-Edge Technology 1:36:52

26d ago1:36:52

1:36:52

Remarkable progress has been made towards understanding of the molecular control of neurotransmitter release from presynaptic axon terminals and the responses of the postsynaptic neuron by neurotransmitters. We know that synaptic activity is required for learning and memory but the structural basis of a memory (an engram) remains unknown. Anton Max…

1
Allan Butterfield: Cell Membrane Lipid Peroxidation and Neuron Degeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease 1:30:42

1M ago1:30:42

1:30:42

The outer membrane of cells is comprised of a lipid bilayer consisting of phospholipids, cholesterol, arachidonic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, and others. Embedded in the membrane are various proteins that play roles critical to the survival and function of the cell. Examples of membrane proteins of particular importance for neurons are: ion channels…

1
Francesco Papaleo: Inter-brain Synchrony and Co-modulation of Neural Networks in Social Interactions 1:09:37

1M ago1:09:37

1:09:37

A fascinating feature of interactions between two people is that neural network activity patterns in their brain can become synchronized. In this episode Francesco Papaleo talks about research studies in which activities of neuronal networks are recorded simultaneously in interacting humans or mice. His work has recently focused on the role of inte…

1
Marco Toscano-Rivalta on human rights, disaster risk reduction, and finding harmony 55:26

2M ago55:26

55:26

Elizabeth speaks with Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Chief of United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) for Asia and the Pacific based in Bangkok. Across his career, Marco has worked with the UN and other international organisations in humanitarian relief, refugee protection, promotion and protection of human rights, justice administration,…

1
Thiruma Arumugam – Vascular Dementia Mechanisms, Risks, and Prevention 1:16:16

2M ago1:16:16

1:16:16

Neural networks in the brain are active 24/7 and so require a continuous supply of nutrients via the cerebral blood vessels. As we age the cerebral vascular system can become compromised resulting in damage to neurons and a consequent impairment of cognition. Cerebrovascular dementia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly but ca…

1
William Brady: MADness: Understanding and Counteracting Social Discord and Moral Contagion 1:09:03

2M ago1:09:03

1:09:03

William Brady deploys behavioral experiments, big data analytics, and natural language processing to elucidate how human psychology interacts with social media technology to affect morality, emotions, and decision-making. Until very recently in their evolution any one human interacted with no more than a few dozen others during their lifetime. More…

1
Dietary Phytochemicals and Mycochemicals, Neuroplasticity, and Neuroprotection 1:14:24

2M ago1:14:24

1:14:24

In this episode I provide an overview of the evidence that certain chemicals produced by plants and fungi are beneficial for brain function and health. I focus on the fact that the function of these phytochemicals or mycochemicals in the plants or mushrooms is to defend them from being consumed by insects and other animals. We and other animals evo…

1
Dietmar Schmitz: Interneuron Diversity and Circuit Mechanisms of Brain Rhythms in Memory and Recall 1:22:13

3M ago1:22:13

1:22:13

The vast majority of research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the storage and retrieval of memories has focused on the excitatory glutamatergic neurons that convey signals into and throughout the brain. However, recent research has revealed the importance of widespread oscillations in neural network activity (particularly gamma and thet…

1
Hon Kiri Allan on crisis communication, localised knowledge, and bridging worlds 1:13:46

3M ago1:13:46

1:13:46

Elizabeth speaks with former Cabinet Minister and lawyer, Kiri Allan. Kiri was a member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023, as a List MP and then representing the Labour Party in the East Coast electorate. She held the positions of Minister for Emergency Management and Minister of Conservation (Nov 2020-June…

1
Dudley Lamming: mTOR – How Dietary Protein and Amino Acids Affect Aging and Disease Processes 1:15:37

3M ago1:15:37

1:15:37

Research has shown that excessive dietary protein intake and high amounts of branch-chain amino acids (BCAA) in particular can accelerate aging and exacerbate chronic diseases of aging. In this episode University of Wisconsin Assoc. Professor Dudley Lamming talks about the cellular amino acid sensing mTOR pathway and its influences on aging and dis…

1
Roshan Cools: Dopamine’s Roles in Cognitive Control, Motivation, Decision-Making, ADHD, and PD 1:12:27

3M ago1:12:27

1:12:27

Dopamine is best known as a neurotransmitter involved in the experiencing of pleasure and reward, and for its role in addiction to drugs, gambling, food, etc. But dopamine is also very important in the brain’s ability to evaluate computational tradeoffs (cost versus benefit) and make decisions. In this episode Roshan Cools a Professor of cognitive …

1
Maryanne Garry: Misinformation, Disinformation, False Memories, AI, and Our Future 1:16:25

3M ago1:16:25

1:16:25

In this episode I talk with Professor Maryanne Garry at the University of Waikato New Zealand about several interrelated realms of human cognition that are fundamental to changes in the behaviors of individuals and social groups as influenced by electronic media and artificial intelligence. Dr. Garry has devoted her career to understanding how memo…

1
Michal Schwartz: How Immune System Cells Promote Brain Health and Recovery From Damage 56:59

3M ago56:59

56:59

It had long been thought that the brain was ‘immunologically privileged’ (physically separated from the immune system). However, this dogma was overturned by a series of discoveries including those made by Professor Michal Schwartz at the Weizmann Institute. In this episode I talk with Michal about the different types of immune cells that are locat…

1
Diego Mendoza-Halliday: How the Brain Stays on Task - Attention, Noise Filtering and Working Memory 1:22:39

3M ago1:22:39

1:22:39

Throughout our waking hours neural networks in our brains are processing incoming information, particularly sights and sounds, integrating those inputs with stored information, making decisions, and executing responses. Staying on task requires that we attend to the details of the task while filtering out ‘noise’. In this episode I talk with Diego …

1
Thomas Hartung: Merging Brain Organoid and AI Technologies to Accelerate Basic and Applied Research 1:07:18

4M ago1:07:18

1:07:18

Professor Thomas Hartung has made a major impact in biomedical research by developing and promoting alternatives to animal research. His efforts are leading to more ethical and efficient approaches to basic and applied research in the fields of environmental toxicology, drug development, and neuroscience. In this episode I talk with Thomas about tw…

1
Magdalena Götz: Direct Conversion of Astrocytes Into Neurons – Progress and Therapeutic Potential 54:55

4M ago54:55

54:55

Someday it may be possible to restore neuronal networks that have been lost or damaged by brain injury or in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. There are as many astrocytes in the human brain as there are neurons and the astrocytes generally do not die in brain injuries and neurodegenerative disorders. Profess…

1
Antonio Di leva: Fractal Patterns and the Brain - Applications in Basic and Clinical Neuroscience 1:12:42

4M ago1:12:42

1:12:42

The Euclidean geometry that we learned in our primary education concerns man-made shapes such as rectangles, triangles, and perfect circles. However the shapes of molecules, cells, and organ systems (and their dynamic changes over time) are more complex. Some biological structures exhibit fractal geometry which is defined as “shapes and patterns th…

1
Megan Stiffler on leadership, inclusivity, and walking your own path 54:19

4M ago54:19

54:19

Elizabeth speaks with Megan Stiffler, Deputy Commissioner of Fire & Rescue NSW. Megan is a career firefighter and senior officer, leading the way for change in her industry, while leading Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams on deployment across large-scale events, and representing the sector internationally. She holds an MBA, is a graduate of the …

1
Stephan Sigrist: Dietary Spermidine, Neuroplasticity, Aging, and Brain Health 1:08:36

4M ago1:08:36

1:08:36

Polyamines are small organic molecules that are acquired in the diet and can also be synthesized in cells. Spermidine is a polyamine that is increasingly recognized as playing important roles in counteracting aging. Foods with high amounts of spermidine include whole grains, broccoli, and natto (fermented soybeans). Professor Stephan Sigrist at the…

1
Jon Simons: Reality Monitoring- How the Brain Distinguishes Between Imagination and Reality 1:06:16

4M ago1:06:16

1:06:16

In the moment most people can readily distinguish between information that is coming into the brain from their senses and what information their brain is generating. However, when recalling information stored in the brain’s neuronal networks the ability to distinguish between what was real and what was imagined becomes more problematic. How does th…

1
Keqiang Ye: From Gut to Brain – Rogue Protein Fragments in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Diseases 1:20:26

5M ago1:20:26

1:20:26

In this episode Emory University and Chinese Academy of Sciences Professor Keqiang Ye talks about his fascinating and ground-breaking trail of discoveries that have revealed previously unknown mechanism responsible for the production and accumulation of damaging fragments of the APP and Tau proteins in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the alpha-synucle…

1
For-Profit Drivers of Poor Health in America 2: Pharmaceutical Industry 1:15:18

5M ago1:15:18

1:15:18

Among high income countries the United States spends the most on health care and yet has the lowest life expectancy. A high percentage of Americans suffer with chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental disorders, and Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases. There are several reasons why people living in the wealthiest…

1
Jason Shepherd: The Arc Protein – From Viral Origins to Center Stage in Neuroplasticity and Disease 1:00:41

5M ago1:00:41

1:00:41

In this episode I talk with Professor Jason Shepherd about his discoveries concerning a fascinating protein called Arc. In response to synaptic activity Arc levels rapidly increase in postsynaptic dendrites as a result of local translation of the Arc mRNA in the dendrites. Arc plays a critical role in long-term memory although it is not necessary f…

1
Dan Neely on community development, design thinking, and Vanilla Ice 40:42

6M ago40:42

40:42

Elizabeth speaks with Dan Neely, Manager of Community Resilience and Group Recovery Manager at the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office–aka WREMO. Dan began his career in the Peace Corps in Honduras during the recovery from Hurricane Mitch, contributed to post-tsunami efforts in Sri Lanka with the International Organization for Migration (…

1
For-Profit Drivers of Poor [Brain] Health in America 1: Food Industries 1:14:09

6M ago1:14:09

1:14:09

Among high income countries the United States spends the most on health care and yet has the lowest life expectancy. A high percentage of Americans suffer with chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental disorders, and Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases. There are several reasons why people living in the wealthiest…

1
Bruno Rossion: Elucidating the Remarkable Ability of the Human Brain to Recognize Faces 1:10:09

6M ago1:10:09

1:10:09

Humans have the amazing ability to instantly recognize the faces of hundreds or even thousands of people they have previously met or seen in pictures or movies. Studies of people with brain injuries that render them incapable of recognizing faces and recordings of neuronal activity in people during face recognition have shown that networks in the o…

1
Bioenergetics and Brain Health 4: Brain Aging, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases, and Stroke 1:27:21

6M ago1:27:21

1:27:21

In this final episode of the Bioenergetics and Brain Health series I talk about changes that occur in brain cells during normal aging, and in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke with emphasis on alterations upstream and downstream of cellular energy metabolism. The episode concludes with examples of therapeutic interventions that t…

1
Bioenergetics and Brain Health 3: How Exercise and Fasting Enhance Neuroplasticity and Resilience 1:12:40

6M ago1:12:40

1:12:40

In this third podcast in the Bioenergetics and Brain Health series I talk about how intermittent exercise and fasting affect brain function, neuroplasticity, and resilience. Research has shown that both of these bioenergetic challenges can enhance learning and memory, improve mood, counteract aging, and protect neurons against injury and disease. I…

1
Bioenergetics and Brain Health 2: Mitochondrial Dynamics, Biogenesis, Disposal, and Signaling 1:16:22

7M ago1:16:22

1:16:22

This is the second in a series of presentations on the interrelationships between energy metabolism, brain function and resilience, and disease processes. In this episode I describe how mitochondria are moved about within axons and dendrites, how mitochondria divide, fuse with each other, and are eliminated when they become dysfunctional. Important…

1
Josh Dubnau: Endogenous Retroviruses and Retrotransposons in Brain Aging and Degenerative Disorders 1:04:33

7M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

More than 40 percent of the human genome consists of retrotransposons which are DNA sequences related to retroviruses that can jump within the genome and have the ability to replicate although most are dormant. In this episode Professor Josh Dubnau at the University of Stony Brook talks about endogenous retroviruses and retrotransposons and recent …

1
Bioenergetics and Brain Health 1: Evolutionary Perspective and Overview of Brain Energy Metabolism 51:49

7M ago51:49

51:49

This is the fist in a short series of presentations on the interrelationships between energy metabolism, brain function and resilience, and disease processes. Overindulgent sedentary lifestyles are increasingly common with adverse consequences for trajectories of brain health in current and future generations. In this series I review findings from …

1
Ziv Williams: Encoding Social Cognition and Language in Individual Neurons and Neuronal Ensembles 1:09:18

7M ago1:09:18

1:09:18

Every day we communicate with and influence others via language, decision-making, and actions. The complexities of human social interactions and language begs the question of how the brain processes the relevant incoming information and then generates responses so rapidly and effortlessly. Neurosurgeon Ziv Williams and his team at Harvard Medical S…

1
Antoinette M van den Brink and Rolf Fronczek: Causes and Therapy for Migraine and Cluster Headaches 1:11:36

8M ago1:11:36

1:11:36

One in seven people experience migraine headaches while others suffer with even more debilitating cluster headaches. The causes of these headaches are not fully understood and current treatments provide only partial relief. In this episode pharmacologist Antoinette van den Brink and neurologist Rolf Fronczek describe the clinical features of these …

1
Andrea Luppi: Consciousness and Brain Function Through the Lens of Time, Space, and Information 1:04:43

8M ago1:04:43

1:04:43

Consciousness is one’s awareness of electrochemically conveyed information coming into the brain from the environment via sensory pathways or generated within the brain’s neuronal networks (i.e., thoughts). In popular culture ‘consciousness’ is often portrayed as a mysterious concept or process. However, research that examines the effects of anesth…

1
Richard Lu: OPCs and Oligodendrocytes – Roles in Brain Development, Function, and Cancer 1:01:59

8M ago1:01:59

1:01:59

In this episode Richard Lu – a professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati Chldren’s Hospital talks about a type of stem cell in the brain called oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC). OPC normally differentiate into the oligodendrocytes that wrap around the axons of neurons providing insulation that greatly speeds up the propagation o…

1
Visar Berisha and Julie Liss: Automated Speech Analysis to Evaluate Brain Function and Disease 53:56

8M ago53:56

53:56

Arizona State University Professors Visar Berisha and Julie Liss have combined their expertise in engineering and speech communication to develop and apply novel automated speech analysis technology to the field of neurological disorders. Because of the complexity of human speech and the brain circuits involved speech analysis can provide a window …

1
Erika Augustine: Challenges of Rare Childhood Neurological Disorders Exemplified by Batten Diseases 57:19

9M ago57:19

57:19

There are approximately 7000 rare diseases each affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans. Most rare disorders are caused by gene mutations, manifest in childhood, include neurological problems, and progress rapidly resulting in death in the first several decades of life. Examples include fragile X and Rett syndromes, some childhood epilepsies, Batten…

1
Understanding and Counteracting Brain Aging 59:42

9M ago59:42

59:42

In this episode I provide an overview of what happens in brain cells during aging and how those changes result in impaired brain function and predispose to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. I then describe three lifestyle anti-aging interventions that are known to slow brain aging and counteract disease process: physical exercise; intermittent …

1
Shiqian Shen: Gut – Immune – Brain Communications in Chronic Pain Reveal New Avenues for Treatments 1:00:17

9M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Chronic pain is a highly prevalent problem in need to improved treatments. In this episode I talk with Dr. Shiqian Shen of Harvard Medical School about his research on interactions between the immune and nervous systems in chronic pain. He has found an interesting connection between the gut microbiota, immune cells, and neurons in chronic pain. The…

1
Daniel Pine: Understanding and Treating Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents 59:45

9M ago59:45

59:45

Anxiety disorders are all too common in children and adolescents and their incidence has increased considerably during the past decade. Social interactions (positive or negative) in the home, schools, and the digital world have a major influence on a child’s risk for anxiety and major depression. In this episode I talk with Dr. Danny Pine at the Na…

1
Ronald DePinho: Aging and Cancer Research Elucidates Neurodegenerative Mechanisms and Treatments 1:12:11

10M ago1:12:11

1:12:11

Cells in all organ systems experience the same ‘hallmarks of aging’ which include the accumulation of oxidatively damaged proteins, DNA, membranes and mitochondria, impaired DNA repair and autophagy, senescence, and inflammation. In this episode Professor Ron DePinho of the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston talks about his remarkable career duri…

1
Dimitrios Kapogiannis: Messages in Neural Nanobubbles: Extracellular Vesicles and Brain Disorders 1:18:38

10M ago1:18:38

1:18:38

All cells including neurons in the brain release tiny (~ 100 nanometers in diameter) bubble-like vesicles that contain various molecules produced by the cell. These extracellular vesicles (EVs) are thought to have a variety of functions including sending molecular messages between cells and removing molecular garbage from the cells. Some EVs releas…

1
Sebastian Ocklenburg – Left – Right Asymmetries, Lateralized Brain Functions, and Individuality 1:25:24

10M ago1:25:24

1:25:24

While upon casual inspection the left and right sides of the human brain seem symmetrical. But it turns out there are left – right differences in both the structure and functionality of neuronal networks in many brain regions. One well-known example of a brain asymmetry is that regions involved in language comprehension and speech which are located…

1
Eva Feldman: The Exposome, Brain Health, and Neurological Disorders 55:28

10M ago55:28

55:28

The ‘exposome’ is a term used to describe all of the environmental exposures encountered by an individual throughout their life and how these exposures affect their health and contribute to (or protect against) aging and disease. The exposures may be physical (e.g., temperature), chemical (e.g., toxic chemicals), biological (e.g., viruses), or soci…

1
Dr Carrie Timko Santos on diplomacy, purpose, and women in leadership 43:01

10M ago43:01

43:01

Elizabeth speaks with Dr Carrie Timko Santos. Carrie is currently based in Poland, working for American Red Cross, supporting the national Red Cross societies impacted by the Ukraine war and influx of refugees. Among her many roles, she has served as CEO of Entrepreneurs’ Organization, led international programs for the American Red Cross, and mana…

1
Hubert Hondermarck – The Neural Addiction of Cancers 58:04

10M ago58:04

58:04

It turns out that regardless of which organ they affect tumors contain a web of axons coursing throughout them. Recent research has shown that interactions between the neurons and the cancer cells influence the proliferation of the cancer cells within the tumor as well as metastasis (the spread of cancer cells to other organs). In this episode I ta…

1
Frantisek Baluska – Plant Communication, Behaviors, and … Intelligence 1:16:18

11M ago1:16:18

1:16:18

Plants sense their environment and respond in ways consistent with advanced decision-making capabilities. The cellular mechanisms that control the behaviors of plants are similar to those of animals and include electrically excitable cells capable of transmitting information via calcium waves and volatile messengers such as nitric oxide throughout …

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