Libsyn Directory

The Ol' Plazzle Dazzle [with Steve Gago]

Release Date: 10/19/2020

Fasting and Furious [Lonely Brain vs. Hungry Brain]

Headshake

THE BRAIN IS HUNGRY FOR PEOPLE. Keeping in mind new experiences of isolation during the pandemic, recent research shows parallels between a socially-deprived brain craving people and a fasted brain craving food.

Bologna Hammer [Spinal Reflexes]

Headshake

Here’s more involuntary neuroscience: spinal reflexes. They’re so involuntary, your brain doesn’t even know they happened.

Involuntary Gravy [Synesthesia]

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The letter A is always red to some people. To others, the sound of a car horn might always smell like pie. Libby and Ruka sensually explore the rare but real condition of synesthesia.

Tay Zonday Bit My Finger [Déjà Vu]

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Does it feel like you’ve heard this before? An episode on déjà vu. An episode on déjà vu.

The Full Pamph [Action Potentials]

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Returning to the land of electrophysiology, Lord Nathan and Lady Kristen focus this time on action potentials, which neurons use to send electrical signals long distances in the body. God save the Baked Bean!

My Friend Spikey [Phineas Gage]

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In 1848, Phineas Gage survived an unfortunate railroad accident that later informed science and medicine’s understanding of how the prefrontal cortex works. Supporting character: Spikey the tamping iron

Happy Trails [Seasonal Affective Disorder]

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It’s Headshake’s anniversary, and the finale of the Gap Junction Almanac. We hope you’ve had the “Time of Your Life,” and we’ll still be “Friends Forever.” Let’s cheer ourselves up with a discussion of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Paula Abducens [Nerves]

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“Nerves?” This is a neuroscience podcast. Haven’t we been talking about nerves the whole time??? Nope! Learn why.

The Poopisode [Brain and Gut]

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There are two kilograms (4.4 pounds) of microbes in your gut. Are these little residents controlling your brain? If so, how? Poop Detectives Libby and Ruka are on the case.

Ear Hair [Audition, Part 2]

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Hair cells in your inner ear and piano keys in your brain. This is our second episode on the sense of hearing. Libby and Ruka wrap up the year with thicker-than-usual Wisconsin accents. Happy birthday to Libby, and Happy New Year!

More Episodes

Headshake’s personal chef (a.k.a. Ruka’s spouse) is also an electrical and electronic engineer. Steven A. Gago helps Libby and Ruka tackle the mysteries of newly-developed microcircuit chips that could one day become implants to replace diseased neurons.

Key Words

Alzheimer's, analog, assimilate, bioimplant, Bötzinger region, brain stem, bursts, CA1, chip, circuit, current, digital, hardware, hippocampus, Hodgkin-Huxley model, medulla, model, pyramidal cells, respiratory neuron, solid state neuron, soma, transistor, very-large-scale integration (VLSI)

Old West Words of the Day (Gap Junction Almanac)

There you ain’t

Teapot

Tin

Toad strangler

References and Resources

Artificial neurons developed to fight disease, BBC, December 2019

Optimal solid state neurons, Abu-Hassan et al, Nature Communications, December 2019

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Music

Bushwick Tarantella by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1300002

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Modified from original with volume fading and cuts

Disclaimer

This podcast is for entertainment and education only. Neither of the hosts is a medical doctor, and nothing they say is medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making decisions about your health.

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