The magazine that can change your mind.

May 2009

Neuroimaging: Separating the Promise from the Pipe Dreams

Neuroimaging: Separating the Promise from the Pipe Dreams

by Russell A. Poldrack, Ph.D.

Researchers and news reports sometimes exaggerate findings from brain imaging, and we should regard “breakthroughs" with caution, writes an experienced interpreter of brain scans.

April 2009

Vitamin D and the Brain: More Good News

Vitamin D and the Brain: More Good News

by R. Douglas Shytle, Ph.D., and Paula C. Bickford, Ph.D.

Vitamin D, long ago established as important for healthy bones, also appears to be significant in the brain during development and as we age—but more research is necessary to determine the consequences of vitamin D deficiency and how supplements could help.

February 2009

The Teen Brain: Primed to Learn, Primed to Take Risks

The Teen Brain: Primed to Learn, Primed to Take Risks

by Jay N. Giedd, M.D.

The changes the brain undergoes during adolescence pave the way to adulthood, priming the young person for life away from home and for finding unrelated mates. But this plasticity also can open the door to poor decision making and risky behavior, writes Jay N. Giedd, a child psychiatrist at the National Institute of Mental Health. 

 

See also

Cerebrum 2009: Emerging Ideas in Brain Science
New Dana Press Book

Cerebrum 2009: Emerging Ideas in Brain Science

In this annual anthology of articles selected from Cerebrum, a stellar group of scientists and science writers, including neuroscientist Guy McKhann, computational neuroscientist Sebastian Seung, developmental psychologist Jerome Kagan and neurologist Stephen L. Hauser, introduce readers to cutting-edge developments in brain science.

December 2008

Pediatric Screening and the Public Good

Pediatric Screening and the Public Good

by Jennifer Kwon, M.D., M.P.H., and Richard H. Dees, Ph.D.

Screening for disorders in children can prevent problems later in life, but potential drawbacks such as ambiguous results, the thin line between screening and research, and competition for funding are reason for further deliberation.

December 2008

Managing Conflicting Interests in Medical Journal Publishing

Managing Conflicting Interests in Medical Journal Publishing

by Adam F. Stewart, S. Claiborne Johnston, M.D., Ph.D., and Stephen L. Hauser, M.D.

The editors of a top neuroscience journal explain the unique challenges they face as they attempt to balance the interests of authors, peer reviewers, the journal itself and its readers.

December 2008

Working Later in Life May Facilitate Neural Health

Working Later in Life May Facilitate Neural Health

by Denise C. Park, Ph.D.

Evidence indicates that by continuing to perform difficult tasks and engage in new pursuits, the brain remains flexible over time—good not only for the individual but also for society. Denise C. Park theorizes that exercising the brain causes “scaffolding,” which creates new circuits to support pre-existing pathways.

December 2008

Memoirs about Memory: Too Much vs. Too Little
Book Review

Memoirs about Memory: Too Much vs. Too Little

by Suzanne Corkin, Ph.D.

Afraid of losing your memory? What if you remembered everything? Suzanne Corkin, a behavioral neuroscientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, compares and critiques two recent memoirs by women who relate very differently with memory, adding insight from her own work.

November 2008

The Impact of Modern Neuroscience on Treatment of Parolees

The Impact of Modern Neuroscience on Treatment of Parolees

Ethical Considerations in Using Pharmacology to Prevent Addiction Relapse

by Richard J. Bonnie, J.D., Donna T. Chen, M.D., M.P.H., and Charles P. O'Brien, M.D., Ph.D.

Neuroscience is offering insights into addiction and providing scientists with pharmacological methods, such as the use of injectable naltrexone, for reducing relapse. Richard J. Bonnie, Donna T. Chen and Charles P. O’Brien consider the ethical and legal implications of different methods for administering naltrexone to convicted drug offenders.   

November 2008

The Meaning of Psychological Abnormality

The Meaning of Psychological Abnormality

by Jerome Kagan, Ph.D.

As reports of childhood behavioral problems increase, Dr. Jerome Kagan raises concern about the reliability of these diagnoses. The rapid rise may stem from children’s experiences and pressures on parents and physicians, he argues.

November 2008

Connectomics

Connectomics

Tracing the Wires of the Brain

by Sebastian Seung, Ph.D.

With the help of high-tech computers and electron microscopes, scientists are working toward mapping the connections of the human brain. Through descriptions of the where the technology is now and where it could go, Sebastian Seung illustrates how it might later be used to answer some of the most puzzling questions about the brain.

October 2008

A Wound Obscure, Yet Serious

A Wound Obscure, Yet Serious

Consequences of Unidentified Traumatic Brain Injury Are Often Severe

by Wayne Gordon, Ph.D.

Traumatic brain injury affects both soldiers and civilians of all ages, and many cases go unidentified because there is no external damage. Wayne Gordon considers the consequences of these severe injuries and how loved ones, teachers and medical professionals can better respond.

The Brain, from Atom to Soul
Book Review

The Brain, from Atom to Soul

by Lewis Rowland, M.D.

Lewis Rowland, a professor of neurology at Columbia University, writes that neurologist Adam Zeman's book about the brain from atoms to soul presents a succinct yet comprehensive literary tale.

September 2008

The Political Brain

The Political Brain

by Geoffrey K. Aguirre, M.D., Ph.D.

UCLA researchers recently used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to peer into the unconscious emotions of undecided voters. Some in the scientific community responded with alarm to what they saw as fanciful claims. Dr. Geoffrey Aguirre addresses the argument from all sides to determine the validity of the method. He says that pollsters aren't out of a job—yet.

September 2008

A Road Paved by Reason

A Road Paved by Reason

by Elizabeth Norton Lasley

With its emphasis on problem solving, cognitive therapy has helped generations of people with disorders such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder—and other applications may follow.

Mortal Coil
Book Review

Mortal Coil

by Mark Mattson, Ph.D.

August 25, 2008

In his review, Mark Mattson of the National Institute on Aging notes that the brain is mostly missing from David Haycock’s otherwise fascinating exploration of the history of trying to prolong life.

Human: The Science Behind What Makes Us Unique
Book Excerpt

Human: The Science Behind What Makes Us Unique

by Michael Gazzaniga

August 25, 2008

In his new book, Michael S. Gazzaniga looks at what it means to be human. In this excerpt from Chapter 3, he explores the evolutionary and social reasons for why we deceive one another—and ourselves.

Deep Brain Stimulation Offers Hope in Depression

Deep Brain Stimulation Offers Hope in Depression

by Jamie Talan

There is a new hope for patients who have severe depression. An experimental surgical procedure, deep brain stimulation, is proving to reverse the effects of unrelenting depression by stimulating a precise network of brain cells. Jamie Talan reveals how some of the top scientists are using this procedure. 

Spotlight
NEW DANA PRESS BOOK: Cerebrum 2009: Emerging Ideas in Brain Science

NEW DANA PRESS BOOK: Cerebrum 2009: Emerging Ideas in Brain Science

In this annual anthology of articles selected from Cerebrum, the online magazine, a stellar group of scientists and science writers, including neuroscientist Guy McKhann, computational neuroscientist Sebastian Seung, developmental psychologist Jerome Kagan and neurologist Stephen L. Hauser, introduce readers to cutting-edge developments in brain science.

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