The Brain Coffee Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, discuss methods of aiding the brain through both sleep medications and neurotech. Listen as they explore the possible risks and benefits of augmented and artificial intelligence.

In this episode, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital dive deeper into the discussion of brain function, with a focus on the cerebellum, with Dr. Azad Bonni, Edison Professor of Neuroscience and Chairman of the Department of Neuroscience at Washington University.

As the most complex organ in the body, the brain takes decades to develop. In this episode, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital chat with Dr. Azad Bonni, Edison Professor of Neuroscience and Chairman of the Department of Neuroscience at Washington University about the process that begins in utero, including deviations which may be responsible for the spectrum of conditions classified as autism.

Eric Leuthardt, MD, sits down to talk about his theatrical production BrainWorks: The Theatre of Neuroscience, with its director, Seth Gordon, and Brad Eastman, a former patient of Dr. Leuthardt's and the inspiration for the concept of the show. BrainWorks explores the wonders of the human brain by dramatizing real-life neurological cases to reveal the science behind brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, brain tumors and stroke. Buy Tickets

After a stroke, the clock starts ticking. Hours, even minutes, in delayed medical attention can change a patient's life. Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, host Dr. Joshua W. Osbun and hear about the evolution of treatment technologies, surgeries, and medications in extending the window of stroke treatment by hours, and in some cases, days.

Humans are pushed further in personal virtual interactions, navigating online conversations with minds programmed to take cues from facial expressions, tone of voice, and other missing nuances of in-person communication. This struggle to perceive meaning and truth includes our reading of news, which can include “fake news.” Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, discuss the effects of engaging with people and information in a virtual space.

Does the influx of news on your phone and general information overload help you stay informed or just cause detrimental stress? Is any kind of stress good? Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, talk about the effects of our environment on our brains and how we can manage our exposure to stress to actually help us change our behaviors for the better.

Most people have experienced sleep deprivation at some point in their lives and can recall the impact on their physical and cognitive abilities. But what's the neuroscience behind feeling fatigued and disoriented? Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, discuss the purpose of sleep.

Digital addiction is becoming more prevalent as technology continues to advance. Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, describe the brain activity of digital addicts along with using neural augmentation as a potential treatment.

Did you know brain freeze is officially categorized as a type of headache? Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, describe what happens to the brain during headaches such as brain freeze and migraines.

Do violent video games and movies actually play a role in becoming a psychopath; or is it simply another case of correlation not implying causation? Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, explain the neuroscience behind psychopathic behavior.

There has been a significant shift in how we treat Alzheimer's over the past 10 years. Dr. David Michael Holtzman, Washington University neurologist and chief of neurology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, joins Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, to discuss the state of Alzheimer's research.

Although the practice of “mindfulness” has evolved over thousands of years, its core concept of intense presence has remained unchanged. Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, explain how mindfulness and other coping mechanisms can help patients overcome a difficult diagnosis.

Why are some people more resilient than others? Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, discuss methods for building resiliency through brain training.

Why do we look left when thinking or trying to remember something? Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, explain the neuroscience behind this phenomenon and how it could also relate to lying.

Does dopamine predict or follow the stock market? Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, discuss how dopamine affects the choices we make, including decisions made on Wall Street.

The domestication and evolution of dogs has resulted in a strong emotional bond with humans through the alteration of both parties' oxytocin love circuit. Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, describe how this increase in oxytocin happens.

Are we actually hardwired to believe in something bigger than ourselves? Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, answer this question and discuss how believing helps us develop the fundamentals for our morals and worldviews.

Midlife crisis is defined as an emotional crisis of identity and self-confidence that can occur in middle-aged individuals, typically between 45 and 64 years old. Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, describe what's going on inside the brain during a midlife crisis.

Consciousness has many definitions but most include some reference to awareness. In this debut episode of Brain Coffee, Dr. Eric C. Leuthardt and Dr. Albert H. Kim, Washington University neurosurgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, discuss what it means to be aware and conscious.