So I went to the performance Waves of Mu at PS 122 last night.
Didn’t really know what to expect.
The fist part of the program, is a giant room (instalation) with artists conceptualizations of the different parts of the brains. This, though a bit abstract was definitely the highlight of the evening. (pictures here). I particularly liked the portrayal of the thalamus.
Then came the performance part which seemed very erratic and non-sensible. The program started with the small (~30 people) audience having to sign a “wiaver” which was more of a thinly vailed joke at an individual consent form, used in clinical research.. The program from there began to just start veering all over the place. A few clips of an interview with V.S. Ramachandran instersupurced with some wierd acting/behavior by the 3 person cast. It was literally all over the place. Amy was very talented, and it showed, but I just didn’t understand what the point was.
Now granted, as one with a background in neuroscience, maybe I was not the target audience for such a performance. In a similar vein, my appreciation for modern art isn’t great. Nor do I have much appreciation for modern theater either. (I’m better with the visual art). So with that in mind, my review is probably a bit biased in that way.
I’m off to go see the Waves of Mu
This is just a silly diagnosis or attempt to create a new class of disorder:climate change delusion
This is more likely a case of someone falling victim to the excessive FUD being pushed by politicians, celebs and some media personalities.
Currently reading The Brain Diet by Alan Logan
Less than 100 pages in thus far, but so far so good. Good for me that what I’ve been reading so far shows that I’m on the right track with my diet.
Conference on Gambling and Addiction to be Held in Las Vegas
(via Neurocritic)
Talk about a great way for researchers to recruit study participants!
In a paper just published in the journal Science, a group of authors have shown that, at least in mice, not eating for ~16h can help stave off jet-lag.
Now considering the quality of airline food these days, that doesn’t sound like too daunting of a task.
Without having read the paper itself, I’m curious to see what if any implications the Orexin/Hypocretin system play in this phenomena. Perhaps though that is too speculative at this point in time.
More for the neuroscience crowd, but the Lancent Neurology next month will have one of the first long-term studies of the efficiency of the Ketogenic Diet
It turns out that the tetrodotoxin commonly found in pufferfish (fugu) is a result of bacteria that the pufferfish eat
So much for the mysterious allure of fugu.
(Not that I’d eat it anyway…)
Drinking coffee can help protect the brain!
That article is full of win!
Also, make sure you’re getting enough sleep if you’re looking to drop some pounds
[Nota Bene: the standard disclaimer about the quality of science study reporting in the mainstream media still applies]
Time for a PSA:
This week is National Sleep Awareness Week
Also see: American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Find a Sleep Medicine Specialist Near You!
(Note: Anyone in NYC or the Tri-State area looking for a good NYC based Sleep Medicine practice, drop a note in the comments)
A silly titled press release: Drug-free answer to the relief from snoring
The solution? According to the company, a “ring”, worn on the finger.
No, nor is it indicated for use in individuals with
sleep apnea. (While snoring is often a cardinal symptom of OSA, the two can be exclusive).
Sadly, out there, people will jump for this product.
In a recent issue of Sleep Medicine
REM sleep behavior disorder and other sleep disturbances in Disney animated films.
Where do these researchers find these things?
From the December 26th issue of the Journal of Neuroscience
Systemic and Nasal Delivery of Orexin-A (Hypocretin-1) Reduces the Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance in Nonhuman Primates [Abstract]
Or in laymans terms, here’s the article from Wired
I’m so looking forward to this article.
Which is better for drowsy drivers:
Coffee or Napping?
According to an article published in the most recent issue o the journal Sleep, a French study has shown thatfor middle age drivers, Coffee was better. While, Middle Age drivers did better with a nap.
Now, not having read the article yet (I plan to do so, once a copy of the journal arrives at work), a few questions immediately come to mind. One of the most glarin is if the drivers sleep patterns were monitored in the nights leading up to this test. In doing so, one could detect any slee disorders which would have had an impact in motor-cognitive function.
For now though, here’s a link to the abstract
Personally, I’ll take both coffee and a nap, thank you very much.
This column by a neuropsychiatrist advocating brain scans for presidential candidates is simply silly.
First off, what good is a general brain scan, if you’re not looking at a specific area or region of the brain? You just don’t scan the whole thing for the heck of it!
Second, what are you going to be measuring? In doing so, what method will be used: fMRI? SPECT? PET? MRI? CT?
Third, what would the findings tell us? That candidate A has a greater glucose metabolism in the hippocampus then candidate B?
This is more silly brain-scan “science” than anything else. That said, neuroimaging does have its place in both clinical and research applications, and when used properly is an invaluable resource.
Over at the Neuroethics and Law blog is an excellent piece by a neuropsychologist, debunking the NYT’s recent article about politics and neuroimaging.
Via: Mind Hacks
This time not by neuroscientists, but rather a real cartographer
Lifehacker posts: Behavior beats pills in fighting insomnia
Just google “Sleep Hygiene” and you’ll find a set of recommendations that have been shown to help.
Other non-pharmacological options include, but are not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or other counseling .