Researchers have learned a lot about what may help keep the human brain working as well as possible. According to a scientist who has written a book about supercharging the brain, it doesn’t necessarily require solving puzzles every day. In this interview, the scientist discusses a famous case of a man who experienced brain trauma, and he shares how brain function can be hurt and helped. Listen to hear what scientists see when they look at a brain that has been damaged, and learn about the practices that can boost brain function.
Story Length: 6:57
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January 12, 2022
3:33
Scientists have discovered an enzyme in the liver that increases with exercise. Enzymes are protein molecules inside living organisms that speed up chemical reactions, like digesting food or healing wounds. Research suggests that this particular enzyme may help the brain grow and function better. Its discovery could one day lead to a medicine that helps people benefit from the enzyme’s brain boosting impact, even without exercise. Listen to hear about the research scientists conducted and learn about the promise and the limits of their discovery.
Read MoreFebruary 27, 2019
2:52
In order to better understand head injuries and their risks, researchers from Washington University in St.Louis have been investigating the kinds of impacts that soccer players experience when heading the ball. To understand how much of that force of impact reaches the brain, they use a specialized MRI machine. Listen to this story to hear what the researchers learned about how our anatomy protects our brains and which types of impact cause the most damage.
Read MoreNovember 29, 2017
2:27
When people don't get enough sleep, it can affect attention, reflexes, and communication. Even the reactions of people are different when they are well rested from when they are deprived of sleep. A group of scientists studying epilepsy also studied the effects of sleep deprivation. They learned that when people don’t sleep enough, certain brain cells literally slow down. Listen to hear more about how important sleep is to the way we process information.
Read MoreOctober 26, 2016
3:17
Eating a lot of sugar may change the brain and affect how many calories a person eats. There are many researchers trying to understand what controls our eating and one researcher is looking for a link between exposure to a diet high in sugar and obesity. There may be a way to control eating by using biochemistry, which will change the view that controlling eating is just a matter of willpower. Listen to hear more about research into the effect of sugar on the brain.
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