Brain Science Podcast #58 is an interview with the author of Out of Our Heads: Why You Are Not Your Brain, and Other Lessons from the Biology of Consciousness. Philosopher Alva Noe (University of California-Berkeley) has devoted his career to the study of cognitive neuroscience. In this interview we explore why he believes that the mind is MORE than the brain.

Episode show notes, links, and a full transcript of the interview are available at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/.

You can send Dr. Campbell email at gincampbell at mac.com or join the Discussion Forum at http://brainscienceforum.com/.

Episode 57 of the Brain Science Podcast is an interview with neuropsychologist Chris Frith, author of "Making up the Mind: How the Brain Creates Our Mental World."

For an episode transcript, show notes, and links go to http://brainsciencepodcast.com/.

Share you feed back in the Discussion Forum at http://brainscienceforum.com or send Dr. Campbell email at docartemis at gmail dot com.

Episode 56 of the Brain Science Podcast is an interview with neuroscientist, Eve Marder, PhD. Dr. Marder has spent 35 years studying the somatogastric ganglion of the lobster. In this interview we talk about how she got into neuroscience during its early days, her recent tenure as president of the Society for Neuroscience, and how some of her key discoveries have implications for studying more complex nervous systems.

Go to http://brainsciencepodcast.com for show notes and links.

Send Dr. Campbell feedback at gincampbell@mac.com or participate in our Discussion Forum at http://brainscienceforum.com/.

This podcast is supported by contributions by listeners. You can donate via PayPal at our website or send contributions directly to:

Virginia Campbell, MD
Brain Science Podcast
9340 Helena, RD, Suite F #320
Birmingham, AL, 35244

Episode 55 of the Brain Science Podcast is an interview with philosopher Patricia Churchland from the University of California in San Diego. Churchland is a pioneer in the area now known as neurophilosophy. In this interview with talk about the relationship between philosophy and neuroscience. Churchland has a unique perspective on the share goals of those interested in philosophy of mind and neuroscience.

You can find show notes including an episode transcript at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/.

Send feedback to Dr. Campbell at docartemis at gmail.com or visit our Discussion Forum at http://brainscienceform.com/

The Brain Science Podcast is sponsored by Audible.com and by listener donations. You can use PayPal or send contributions directly to:

Virginia Campbell, MD
Brain Science Podcast
9340 Helena, RD, Suite F #320
Birmingham, AL, 35244

Brain Science Podcast #54 is an interview with Dr. Michael Merzenich, one of the pioneers of neuroplasticity. We talk about how the success of the cochlear implant revealed unexpected plasticity in adult brains and about how brain plasticity can be tapped to improve a wide variety of problems including dyslexia, autism, damage from disease and injury. Healthy people of all ages can also tap the resource of brain plasticity to help maintain and improve their mental functions. Show notes, links, and episode transcripts are available at http://brainsciencepodcast.com Join our Discussion Forum at http://brainscienceforum.com Send Dr. Campbell email at docartemis at gmail.com.  Download This Episode.

I have included Episode 25 of Books and Ideas in the feed for the Brain Science Podcast because it is a discussion of the alleged connection between vaccines and autism. In this episode I interview Dr. Paul Offit, author of "Autism's False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure." Despite overwhelming scientific evidence against a relationship between vaccines and autism, vaccine opponents continue to frighten and confuse parents. Meanwhile we are beginning to see the re-emergence of preventable and potentially life-threatening diseases among the increasing numbers of unvaccinated children.

Dr. Offit's book provides a thorough discussion of the science and politics of the controversy. I hope this interview with motivate you to read "Autism's False Prophets" and to share it with others.


For detailed show notes go to http:gingercampbellmd.com/.

Send email to docartemis@gmail.com.

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Episode 53 of the Brain Science Podcast is a discussion of the book "Did My Neurons Make Me Do It?: Philosophical and Neurobiological Perspectives on Moral Responsibility and Free Will" by Nancey Murphy and Warren S. Brown. They argue convincingly against those who conclude that neuroscience is uncovering a view of the human mind that reveals that free will is an illusion created by our brains. This is a very important topic that should interest everyone who wonders how their intuitive sense of themselves as a free agent can be harmonized with a naturalistic explanation of the human mind.

Detailed show notes, references, and an episode transcript are available at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/.

Send email to docartemis at gmail.com or share in the Discussion Forum at http://brainscienceforum.com/.

This podcast is supported by listener donations.

Episode 52 of the Brain Science Podcast is our Second Annual Review Episode. We review the highlights of 2008 and also talk briefly about our plans for 2009. The episode is aimed at all listeners, but should be especially helpful for newer listeners because there is an extensive discussion of the other on-line resources available to listeners including our website and Discussion Forum.

Go to http://brainsciencepodcast.com for detailed show notes and links.

Send email to docartemis at gmail.com or post feedback in the Discussion Forum at http://brainscienceforum.com/.

The Brain Science Podcast is supported by listener donations via PayPal. Donations can also be mailed to:

Virginia Campbell,MD
Brain Science Podcast
9340 Helena, RD, Suite F #320
Birmingham, AL, 35244

Brain Science Podcast #51 is an interview with Dr. Seth Grant from Cambridge University about the evolution of synapses. Dr. Grant has isolated the proteins from the synapses of several species including yeast, fruit flies, and mice. His research has led to some surprising conclusions about the evolution of the synapse and of brains. (Hint: the complex synapse evolved BEFORE big brains.)

For detailed show notes and links go to http://brainsciencepodcast.com/.

Share your feedback and comments at the Discussion Forum at http://brainscienceforum.com or by sending email to docartemis at gmail.com.

The Brain Science Podcast is supported by listener donations via PayPal. You can also send donations directly to:

Virginia Campbell,MD
Brain Science Podcast
9340 Helena, RD, Suite F #320
Birmingham, AL, 35244

In Brain Science Podcast #50 host and creator, Ginger Campbell, MD shares highlights from Neuroscience 2008, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, which recently concluded in Washington, DC. She shares her personal impressions along with highlights from a lecture by Dr. Michael Bate from Cambridge University.

For detailed show notes and links go to http://brainsciencepodcast.com/.

Share your thoughts and feedback in the Discussion Forum at http://brainscienceforum.com or send Dr. Campbell email at docartemis at gmail.com.

The Brain Science Podcast is supported by listener donations. You can give via PayPal or send contributions directly to:

Virginia Campbell, MD
Brain Science Podcast
9340 Helena, RD, Suite F #320
Birmingham, AL, 35244