Lobes and Robes

Foods that harm and foods that protect the brain.  The focus of this episode is on the research of Professor Katie Holton, who holds joint appointments in the Department of Health Studies and the Department of Neuroscience at AU.  Dr. Holton discusses with Professors Carle and Davidson how foods containing high levels of glutamate can have toxic effects on the brain--effects that have been linked...

This episode features AU Chemistry Professor Stefano Costanzi, an expert both on the harm chemicals pose to living organisms and global security policies aimed at protecting the public from those dangers. In conversation with Drs. Carle and Davidson, Dr. Costanzi discusses the gaps in current policies and practices that allow chemical weapons to proliferate as well as some of his ideas about solut...

This episode presents a dialogue involving economist Dr. Erdal Tekin, a member of AU’s Department of Public Administration and Policy, along with neuroscientists Terry Davidson and Tony Riley, and law professor Susan Carle discussing research and policy approaches to drug abuse, obesity and other potentially harmful brain-based behaviors. Dr. Erdal explains how economists think about addiction and...

This episode features American University's Professor of Neuroscience, Dr. Anthony Riley, discussing his research on the neuroscience of drug abuse.  Drugs cause both positive and negative effects on the brain; drug use becomes problematic when negative effects overwhelm the brain’s ability to compensate.  Dr. Riley discusses the policy challenges revealed by the neuroscience of addiction, includi...

Good neuroscience may contribute to policy advances, but what happens when inaccurate myths about neuroscience take hold? With Professor Carle and Dr. Davidson, AU School of Education Professor Dr. Alida Anderson discusses her research on “neuro-myths” in education policy.  Anderson explains what some of these neuro-myths are, how they may lead educators and policymakers astray, and how training c...

This episode features Professor of Law Dr. Lewis Grossman, an expert on food and drug law and legal history, in conversation with Dr. Davidson and Dr. Carle to explore the policy implications of neuroscience research on the Western diet and obesity. The discussion with Dr. Grossman focuses on various potential policy options for labeling, limiting, and/or “nudging” approaches to lower consumption...

Professor Susan Carle of the Washington College of Law and AU Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience, Dr. Terry Davidson, discuss Davidson’s research on the connections between a diet high in saturated fats and sugars, sometimes called the Western diet, and deficits in learning and memory tasks, as well as in the regulation of food intake. Dr. Davidson discusses the implications of his findings f...