PB With J's

We hear about some brain anatomy in media these days - mentions of the amygdala, talks about the prefrontal cortex, allusions to hippocampal memory. But how do all of these parts fit together? And what does actually mean? Is there a way of simply describing the brain itself? This week we take a dive into some current scientific literature on how our brains function and communicate within themselves. It's a pretty simple topic that has thus far only been accessible by a select group of people. So join us this week as we explore how the brain works and what's going on at any point throughout the day.

Depression is an important topic in today's society, with implications touching a wide range of fields and studies. This prevalence can be both good and bad: the spreading of negative perception and misinformed science has largely driven discussion around Depression, but in recent years the paradigms have begun to shift. So where does neuroscience step into the picture? What do we know about development and treatment of Depression? And why does it seem that some treatment simply doesn't work? We'll dive into a few of those questions on this week's episode. This week's episode is dedicated to Vineet, forever part of our Tulane Community.

The Tulane community is saddened this week by the death of a student, peer, friend, and family member. While there are never adequate words in moments like these, we had a bit to say ahead of next week's episode. We're don't assign homework on this Podcast, but this week we'll make an exception: go let those around you know you care and love them - it holds more meaning than we often realize.

Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) is the most common form of neuromuscular degeneration in the US, but many people haven't even heard of it. What is this incredibly common disease? What happens to lead someone down the path of atrophy and degeneration? Is there anything we can do to stop or treat it? Join us this week - the first real episode of the season! - as we just into CMT and how it works.

We're back!! After a rather long break and the start to the semester, we're back and rolling with Season II recordings! Catch a sneak peak of some episodes coming up this season and catch Jacob's newest Fun Fact installment. And course, be sure to refresh that Apple Podcast page on Monday for the first episode of the season!

Welp, it's been quite a ride these first few months. We're taking a break for the holidays as we're both home celebrating Christmas, but we wanted to throw one last episode out there. If you're looking for science content, you've unfortunately come to the wrong place this week, but if you're looking for some light-hearted talk and some reflections on the semester (and of course a few fun facts), we've got just the episode for you!

As we've certainly demonstrated, there are a lot of mysteries out there in the neuroscience world. But this week, we take a look at some of the deepest and most confounding neurological cases out there. So join in the first installment as we explore some of the most fascinating topics in neuroscience.

Lumosity has made a pretty big name for itself in recent years, but what even are these "brain games" they claim are so powerful? Join us in this episode as we dive into a bit of what the research is doing the realm of brain games - do they work? are we even asking the right questions? can digital therapy really be part of the future of medicine? It's a bold new world with a lot of info out there - let's see what we really know about these magical "brain games."

Join us on this week's special PB With J's episode just after Jacob and Joseph arrived home from a scientific conference in Houston, Texas. It's a bit different than usual, but tune in and hear about what we did and why we did it and catch a sneak peek into some of the research Joseph has been diving into this semester for his senior honors thesis. It was a fun weekend and fun episode, so we hope you enjoy!

Desptie being one of the most common forms of prenatal developmental abnormalities, not many people are aware of Spina Bifida. So what exactly is Spina Bifida and how does it develop? Join us this week as we explore a bit of the development of the neural tube, the ever present and mysterious role of genetics, and the disease we know as Spina Bifida.

We've been gone for a bit, we know. But we're back this week with a special Wednesday episode on a listener requested topic: Memory. Memory, despite having been studied for centuries, is still one of neuroscience's great mysteries. We'll touch a bit on some of the mechanics of memory before jumping into some of the myths an facts out there about improving your memory - you might be surprised at what you learn.

Dandy Walker is a surprisingly common neurodevelopmental syndrome of which very few people are aware. But what exactly is DWS? what sort of developmental abnormalities are observed? what physiological effects are present? Today we'll jump into this somewhat mysterious and very under the radar disorder and attempt to answer some of those pressing questions.

Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (CJD) sounds mysterious on its own, but its pathology is even more baffling. Also known as Mad Cow Disease, CJD is part of a larger group of disease called tranmissible spongiform encephalopathies that arise through the action of prions. What on earth does all that mean? We'll dive into in this week's episode as we explore one of the more fascinating and devastating classes of diseases that we know. Artwork this week by Dr. Amesh Adalja in an article claiming prions as the real brain eaters, not zombies. Duh. (http://www.trackingzebra.com/new-blog/2015/9/3/prions-not-zombies-are-the-real-brain-eaters)

Cockayne Syndrome is a rare and very unfamiliar genetic disease that affects children in a host of perplexing ways that can be characterized by rapid aging. How does such an odd pathology develop? how can we still have no effective treatment for such a disease? where is the research now? This week, we'll attempt to tackle these questions as we dive into the world of Cockayne Syndrome. Artwork this week from a parent of a child with Cockayne (http://bluepurpleandscarlett.com/2012/02/23/new-stare-cards-for-cockayne-syndrome)

Schizophrenia is another one of those topics about which the public is broadly aware. Through time, though, it became the epitome of "mad" or "institutional," with the general understanding somehow becoming that patients with Schizophrenia have different personalities that can manifest themselves. While out understanding is much more advanced now, we often still exist in those antiquated and inaccurate stereotypes. So what actually is Schizophrenia, then? We'll try to answer and explain that question in this week's episode. Link to the paper mentioned examining the possibilities of Schizophrenia in 2030. (http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v468/n7321/full/nature09552.html?foxtrotcallback=true) Artwork this week from an artist with Schizophrenia who explores what it means to have such a disorder.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is widely misunderstood and frequently stigmatized, in scientific and non-scientific communities alike. But what does it mean to be diagnosed with Autism? What does this disorder really look like? is it even a disorder at all? should we work to reclassify the diagnosis? what's actually going on in the brain? The questions are varied and difficult, and this week we'll do our best to tackle them. Artwork this week from Max LaZebnik, an artist and autism self-advocate in the LA area.

Tourette Syndrome exists in a rather mysterious position in our society - we're not really sure what to name it (Tourette Syndrome, Tourette's, Tourette's Syndrome, Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome?) and think it just makes you shout random curse words, right? (not quite - it's much more varied and complex than that singular rare form). So join us this week (with the next of our guest intros!) as we clarify some misconceptions and dive a bit into the science of Tourette Syndrome! Artwork this week from a children's book exploring Tourette Syndrome.

Life gets chaotic sometimes, and this week life was a bit much for us here at PB With J's. But, instead of leaving you out to dry, we decided to go for a quick rundown on what's going down in the world of neuroscience. Jacob had to opt out this week, but join Joseph as he dives into a but of the current literature in this week's quick 10 minute breakdown. And be sure to tune in next week for Tourette's Syndrome!

This week we don't necessarily dive into one particular disease or disorder, but a neurological symptom that is seen in various diseases. We know a bit about how Chorea works, but what exactly is it? how do we see it in various diseases? what can we do to alleviate its effects? Join us this week, with a new special guest introducer!

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a lesser known, rare neurodegenerative disorder that results in the slow deterioration of various neurological systems leading to the accumulation of difficulties in a range of neurological functions. So how does MSA arise? how does it progress? why don't we hear about it much today? This week, we'll explore these questions and the complex nature of MSA. Also, here's a link to the story we mention for those who are curious: https://www.rareconnect.org/en/community/multiple-system-atrophy/article/msa-jiepie-s-story Also, artwork this week from "Salt and Moon:" https://sandsaltmoon.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/guest-doodlewasherafter-charlies-site-my-dad/

ALS - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - has gained a lot of notoriety and attention in recent years. But aside from the ice bucket challenge and Lou Gherig's name, how much do we really know about this deadly neurological disease? In this episode we'll dive into the scientific thoughts and theories regarding ALS: how does it develop? what cellular pathologies exist? can we develop a more effective treatment? Plus, we'll hear about Jacob's aspirations for space and Joseph's complete and utter lack of architectural aptitude. So let's get started-Episode 7, ALS

In this podcast we hope to give you a good run down on one of the most researched topics in the neuroscientific field today: Alzheimer's Disease (AD). It's one of our longer episodes, seeing as the topic is so big, but hang with us as we navigate through the complex science and sociology surrounding this debilitating degenerative disease. It's one lots of people have heard of, but get ready to dive into how it works.

Huntington's Disease exists with an almost mysterious heir about it in media and culture - it's dangerous and deadly, but what truly is it? It's been described as a disease that exhibits the physical manifestations of Parkinson's and ALS to go along with many of the behavioral and emotional manifestations of Alzheimer's. In this episode, we explore the significance of such a powerfully influential and impactful disease, discussing how it works and where we are in our understanding of it.

The final and third installation of our Neuro Basics suite, we've finally arrived at Neuroanatomy. Here we'll explore the basic names and structures that allow your brain to function, ultimately allowing you to be you. You hear all the time in the media "they're left brain dominant" or "this function happens in the back of your brain" - but what do claims like these mean? We'll explore those questions and more in this episode, painting a sort of neuroantomical map as we get ready to dive into future episodes.

The second installment of the "Cells and Ions" basics. In this episode we focus on ions and ion channels. What even are ions? How do they affect Brain Physiology and functioning? What the heck is an action potential? In this episode we'll explore all these questions, hopefully clearing the air a bit on how neurons communicate and what role ions and electricity play in that communication.

Before we dive into the mystery of various neurological diseases and disorders, we first need some basic vocabulary - how to ions and channels result in an action potential firing and propagating down a neuron? If that question sounded a bit jargony, well, it is. But for this episode and the next we're working to unpack that jargon and lay the foundation for future episodes. So without further ado - cells and ions, here we go!

PB With J's (Physiology of the Brain With Jacob and Joseph) is a new Podcast from a couple college kids hoping to connect science in society in a unique, fun, and engaging manner. It's the start of a scientific adventure, and after a lot of hard work and planning, we're finally here with one thing to say: What's Up World??