Lobes and Robes

SEASON 4, EPISODE 3: STUDYING WHAT INTERVENTIONS WORK FOR VULNERABLE ADOLESCENTS

In this episode, we interview Dr. Jonathan Tubman, professor of psychology at American University, about his research on effective interventions for vulnerable adolescents. Dr. Tubman, whose interdisciplinary work spans multiple aspects of applied developmental psychology, highlights how adolescent development has transformed historically; whereas  puberty occurred at 17-18 years old in the 1850s, today it takes place as early as 9-10 years old, even though adolescent economic dependence on parents sometimes extends well into the twenties. Our conversation explores how today's adolescents navigate dramatically different social landscapes than previous generations did, including in dating, sexuality, and identity formation. Dr. Tubman discusses his research aimed at developing brief, targeted interventions for vulnerable youth. We explore how LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges in “coming out“ earlier in life than previous generations. Dr. Tubman describes his findings that intimate partner violence within sexual and gender minority communities tends to affect smaller subsets with multiple co-occurring problems, thus  requiring comprehensive intervention approaches beyond simple safety planning. Throughout, Dr. Tubman emphasizes the importance of person-centered analysis to identify high-risk adolescents and develop effective targeted interventions for them.

SEASON 4, EPISODE 2: THE REMARKABLE ADOLESCENT BRAIN

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Adriana Galvan, professor of psychology at UCLA and director of the Developmental Neuroscience Laboratory. Dr. Galvan reveals how the adolescent brain is uniquely designed for growth and learning through a second wave of neuroplasticity. Dr. Galvan explains that the prefrontal cortex—responsible for emotion regulation and planning—continues developing into the early twenties. This prolonged development isn't a deficiency but an evolutionary advantage that encourages exploration and learning through experience. What adults perceive as risky behavior is actually essential trial-and-error learning that builds decision-making skills. Our conversation also explores why teenagers are intensely focused on social interactions and peers. Dr. Galvan discusses how neuroscience has informed legal considerations around adolescent responsibility. Finally, she presents a more nuanced take on recent narratives about youth mental health issues. Throughout the episode, Dr. Galvan presents adolescence as a vital, purposeful developmental stage necessary for becoming capable adults. This discussion offers valuable insights for parents, educators, and policymakers interested in understanding the remarkable adolescent brain.

Season 4 (Episode 1) How Is Neuroscience Being Used in Criminal Law?

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Colin Saldana as our new co-host and delve into the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and criminal law. Our guest, Dr. Deborah Denno, an expert in the field, joins us to discuss her broad study of the historical uses of neuroscience in criminal cases. We explore a range of topics, including the way neuroscience has been used and misused in the courtroom; the role of neuroscience in evaluating questions such as mitigating factors and culpability in criminal cases; and the difficulties of translating scientific understandings for use in law by judges and juries. We look forward to the potential future impact of neuroscience on criminal law and consider both the promise and pitfalls of translating rapidly expanding neuroscientific knowledge for use in the courtroom. Join us as we unravel the complexities of this fascinating field and consider the future of neuroscience and the law.

What Can Fiction about Artificial Persons Tell Us about the Human Brain?

This episode features popular culture critic Dr. Despina Kakoudaki, author of the book Anatomy of a Robot: Literature, Cinema, and the Cultural Work of Artificial People. Dr. Kakoudaki, a professor at American University, discusses how fantasy and science fiction imagine artificial persons. She discusses how literary and cinematic art depict machines as having human-like, or even super-human, intelligence and behavioral capabilities. In our wide-ranging discussion, we consider the implications of these ideas about the machines that science and technology are developing. We discuss how concepts of machines’ human-like tendencies are affecting current culture, definitions of personhood, and ideas about human evolution. We close with a discussion of how knowledge about the operation of the human brain has contributed to the development of artificial intelligence, and how, in turn, the development of increasingly sophisticated models of artificial intelligence may contribute to knowledge about the human brain.

Psychedelics Research and Treatments: The Current State of Research and Best Practices Guidance

This episode features leading researcher on therapeutic uses of psychedelics, Dr. Matthew W. Johnson of the Sheppard Pratt Institute for Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics. Dr. Johnson summarizes the current research on the potential benefits of psychedelics for treatment of depression, addiction, and other conditions; the known risks and benefits of such treatments; and Dr. Johson’s important work on developing best practice guidance in relation to safety, risk assessment, and ethics in psychedelics research and treatment. We discuss recent developments in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) consideration of a request for approval of MDMA for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, the special problems the FDA faces in assessing psychedelics for possible therapeutic uses, and the dangers that continued unregulated uses of psychedelics pose in the absence of FDA approval and regulation. We end by hearing from Dr. Johnson about his future research plans.

Season3: (Episode 5) Gut Health: Microbiome and the Brain

The “gut–brain axis" is a system by which the gastrointestinal tract communicates with the brain. In this episode, Dr. Scott Kanoski, Co-director of the Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute at the University of Southern California, shares his research and expertise about the gut-brain system. He discusses how diet, hormones, and the millions of bacteria that comprise our gut microbiota act on this system. As he explains in this wide-ranging discussion, recent findings from his lab and many others are revealing how these signals affect the brain in ways that have profound impacts on appetite, cognitive functioning, and impulse control. 

Season 3: (Episode 4) What is “Neurolaw” and How Can It Help Society Today and in the Future?

This episode features Dr. Francis Shen, a leader in the emerging field of “neurolaw,” which seeks to bring the insights of neuroscience and law together in ways that can be mutually beneficial to both disciplines. Dr. Shen shares his insights into some of the areas in which neurolaw shows great promise, including law and mental health, aging brains, brain injury, lie detection, and more. We discuss the need to train lawyers and judges on how to assess neuroscience findings and the different ethical requirements lawyers and scientists operate under, and end with Dr. Shen’s thoughts about neurolaw’s future.

Season 3: (Episode 3) What Do We Know about the Health Effects of Nonnutritive Sweeteners?

The effects of consuming non-nutritive sweeteners on weight control and health and well-being have been a source of continuing controversy. Dr. Sylvetsky, a professor and scientist at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University in Washington DC, talks with us about her research on the consumption of artificially sweetened food and beverages by children and adults. She discusses recent guidance provided by the World Health Organization about the use of non…

Season 3: (Episode 2) New Research and Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias

Alzheimer’s Disease and similar late-life dementias pose serious threats to human health and well-being.  These cognitive disorders can be devastating not only for patients, but also for the family members and friends that care for them. Dr. Gayatri Devi, MD, a nationally recognized neurologist and author of the influential book, ”A Spectrum of Hope: An Optimistic and New Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias,” shares with us her extensive knowledge about memory and cognitive dysfunction and her innovative treatment approaches.  Dr. Devi proposes that precision medicine will be the treatment modality of choice in the future and that, through it, we will be seeing significant improvements in the quality of life of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Season 3: (Episode 1) Medical Interventions to Treat Obesity: How They Work

The desire to lose weight is pervasive in our society.  Some people want to lose a few pounds to look better while for many others weight loss can help to reduce serious threats to their health and well-being.  Historically, dieting as a means of losing excess pounds, and keeping lost weight off, has produced disappointing results for many people. However, there are surgical and, more recently, pharmacological interventions that can produce significant and sustained weight loss. But are such treatment safe as well as effective?  And how do they work? On this episode, Dr. Randy Seeley of the University of Michigan School of Medicine addresses questions about the effectiveness and safety of both bariatric surgery and the new GLP-1 agonist drugs  (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy, Mountjaro) in producing and sustaining weight loss.