The Brain Coffee Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.