See See by Ceci

In this episode of See See by Ceci, Rudolph Tanzi, one of the world’s most influential neuroscientists, takes us inside the mind as it builds, and as it begins to come undone. Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit and co-director of the McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital, co-founder of the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, and named by TIME one of the 100 most influential people in the world, Tanzi co-discovered the very first Alzheimer’s genes and helped create the groundbreaking “Alzheimer’s in a Dish” model that has transformed the search for a cure. In this luminous and deeply human conversation, Tanzi traces the disease from its first description by Alois Alzheimer in 1906 (the strange plaques and tangles no one believed could cause a mind to slip away), to the golden age of treatment now within reach. He walks us through the three pathologies of plaques, tangles and inflammation; the genes he discovered and the blood test that can now see the disease coming; the brain’s housekeeper cells, the microglia, and their Macbeth-like turn from caretakers to killers; and the kitchen-sink logic of the drugs his lab is racing to trials: turn off the tap, unclog the drain, stop the overflow. He shares SHIELD, his lifestyle plan for brain health, and the gut–brain axis that lets food become medicine for the mind. And then the conversation goes deep. Tanzi reflects on memory as a tapestry woven from a hundred billion neurons; on the hippocampus, the little seahorse that gives the world its context; on why music memory survives when almost everything else is gone. He speaks, with rare openness, about awareness and the self, about lucid dreaming and terminal lucidity, about the feelings of beauty, awe and love that he believes AI may mimic but never be, and finally about his conviction that everything is, ultimately, consciousness. Along the way we hear neuroscientist John Cryan on the gut microbiome and the food that feeds the brain; Cognitive neuropsychologist and Harvard Professor Alfonso Caramazza on prosopagnosia and the emotion that endures when recognition fails; four-time Grammy winner Terri Lyne Carrington and the documentary Alive Inside; photographer Domingo Milella on water, minerals and the camera obscura; parapsychology researcher Dean Radin on the taboo edges of mind; and a chorus of artists, Gregory Halpern, Marina Viotti, Andrei Ioniță, Cecilia Rivera and Kerem Hassan, on creativity, flow, and the blurring of time and space, a current that runs through Tanzi himself, a prolific musician who has recorded and performed with the likes of Aerosmith, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp. This is an episode about a terrifying disease, and about the relentless creativity, courage and compassion working to defeat it. About what memory is, what the self is, and what remains when both are taken. And about a scientist who insists, against one of the cruellest diseases of our time, now assures us: "I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel."

Why is the fight for better food, at its heart, a fight for social justice? This episode will challenge the way you think about food, from what's on your plate to the powerful forces behind it. Before you take your next bite, listen to this eye-opening conversation with one of the world's most influential voices on food and health policy, Marion Nestle, renowned nutritionist, scientist, activist and award-winning author. Marion Nestle is the Paulette Goddard Professor Emerita of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health at New York University and a visiting professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell University. Her groundbreaking work has changed public health policy worldwide and opened our eyes to how food industry marketing uses manipulative and subtle tactics to influence our dietary choices long before we ever set foot in a supermarket. It also exposes the dangers of ultra-processed foods and the major public health problems they cause, such as obesity and diabetes - diseases fuelled not just by what we eat, but how much we eat. In this episode, the bestselling author of Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health" and "What to Eat", shares her personal journey into food policy advocacy and the social justice victories she has fought for, leading to public awareness and healthier food systems through public policy not only in the US but around the globe. *Marion Nestle is also author of other bestsellers such as Safe Food: The Politics of Food Safety (2003); Soda Politics: Taking on Big Soda (and Winning) (2015); and her latest book Slow Cooked: An Unexpected Life in Food Politics (October 2022)

Have you ever wondered if there’s a link between what we eat and how we behave? Could the food we consume influence mental health issues—or even contribute to criminal behavior? Today, we’re exploring these questions with a true pioneer in this field—Stephen Schoenthaler, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Criminal Justice at California State University, Stanislaus. With over 50 years of groundbreaking research, Schoenthaler has been at the forefront of discovering how our diet impacts not only our mental health but also behaviors associated with criminality and aggression. In this episode, we’ll hear about his extraordinary experiences teaching at Attica Correctional Facility, where his interactions with inmates made a huge impact on his life at a professional and personal level. You will also discover how diet affects social behavior, how food insecurity plays a role in juvenile delinquency, and why junk food and sugar can lead to behavioral disturbances. Professor Schoenthaler will also shed light on how nutrition influences cognitive skills, anxiety, and antisocial behaviors in children and young adults. We’ll talk about the essential benefits of avoiding ultra-processed foods and examine the holistic role nutrition plays in children’s and young adults’ overall well-being, including mental health. Get ready for a compelling conversation that will challenge the way you think about food, behavior, and the deeper factors shaping the world’s criminal justice system —and how conscious nourishment can help us create a more empathetic and connected world.

In this episode, we embark on a fascinating journey to explore one of the most groundbreaking areas of science - the gut-brain axis! Leading the way is none other than world-renowned neuroscientist Professor John Cryan of University College Cork, whose pioneering work has helped uncovered the powerful link between the gut microbiome and mental health and behaviour. Co-hosted by one of Europe's leading neurosurgeons, Peter Vajkoczy, this is one episode you won't want to miss. So, sit back and buckle up as we navigate the neural pathways that connect our gut to our brain, and discover how this connection plays a critical role in a wide range of conditions, from mental disorders to degenerative diseases. We'll delve into Professor Cryan's cutting-edge research, exploring the diseases his team in Cork are targeting and the innovative delivery systems they're developing to make genetic changes in the brain. You'll also hear about the forces that shape our microbiota throughout our lives, from the importance of vaginal birth and breast milk to the relationship between stress, dementia and depression, and the impact of diet on social behaviour, cognitive decline and aging, and mental health. We'll also explore the exciting new field of psychobiotics, which Cryan covers in his bestselling book, “The Psychobiotic Revolution: Mood, Food and the New Science of the Gut-Brain Connection”. Prepare to be amazed by the potential future treatments for neurological and mental health conditions through the lens of microbiota and neuroscience. Join us for an unforgettable episode as microbes and neurons bring us closer to understanding a shared universe of the gut and the brain! *Professor John F. Cryan is Vice-President for Research and Innovation at University College Cork (UCC), Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, and Principal Investigator at the APC Microbiome Ireland Institute. His pioneering research concentrates on the gut-brain axis and the impact of gut microbes on stress, psychiatric and immune disorders, as well as their influence on mental health. He is a leading figure in this field, with numerous influential publications and significant contributions to scientific research and public understanding of the microbiome. He has published over 600 peer-reviewed articles and has served as co-editor for several books. Additionally, he currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Neuropharmacology and Neurobiology of Stress, and is a member of the editorial boards of 15 other scientific journals. **This episode is cohosted by Prof. Peter Vajcokzy. He has been Head of Neurosurgery at Charité-Universitätsmedizin in Berlin since 2007. He leads 5,000 brain surgeries a year, 800 of which he performs. He is a full professor at Charité and an associate professor at Heidelberg. He treats cerebrovascular disorders, brain tumours, skull base tumours and performs minimally invasive spine and peripheral surgery. He also performs functional neurosurgery and pain management procedures. His research focuses on brain cancer and the mechanisms of brain tumours. He also studies the monitoring of neocortically ill patients after vessel occlusion.

Submerge in the fascinating history of the human gut. Distinguished historian, academic and acclaimed author of Rumbles, Elsa Richardson invites us to a thought-provoking exploration of the cultural and historical significance of digestion in Western society. From ancient beliefs about the power of the stomach to modern-day obsessions with gut health, she helps us uncover the ways in which our digestive systems have shaped not only our understanding of health but also our emotions, identities, and societies. Profit from her analytical lens and brilliant humor, as she incites us to jump into the gut’s metaphors of noise and sensations and delve into how the digestive system has been understood, feared, and medicalized over time. A fantastic storyteller herself, she weaves together elements of science, philosophy, and social history, examining how gut health has influenced ideas about the self, emotion, good manners and even morality. Use this opportunity to glance at the gut’s role in shaping human identity and health and let yourself be challenged to rethink about what lies beneath the surface of everyday bodily functions. Dr. Richardson holds a Chancellor's Fellowship in the History of Health and Wellbeing at the Centre for the Social History of Health and Healthcare at the University of Strathclyde Glasgow. She specializes in the intersection of medical and cultural history, examining the relationship of heterodox practices, beliefs and movements to mainstream society and culture, with a particular focus on the interaction between medicine and the imagination, science and the supernatural, psychology and the occult. Her current research explores the history of diet, vegetarianism, other alternative food cultures, mental stress and stomach disorders in late nineteenth and early twentieth century Britain.

We invite you to join us as we embark on an exploration of the art of decision-making with Dr. Gary Klein, a leading figure in the field of psychology and a pioneer in the domain of Naturalistic Decision Making (NDM). Over the course of his career, Dr. Klein has conducted extensive research, which has significantly impacted our understanding of decision-making under pressure. His work draws upon the experiences of military commanders, firefighters, doctors, and pilots who have demonstrated the ability to remain calm and make critical choices under stress. This episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to enhance their decision-making abilities and leverage the potential of expert thinking. It offers an opportunity for listeners to gain insight into how Dr. Klein's innovative methods facilitate the development of expertise amongst professionals, encourage the transformation of human error into valuable insights, and cultivate an environment of openness and transparency within organizational structures. Don´t miss the opportunity to learn from one of the most esteemed figures in psychology, praised by the late Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman, who wrote "There should be more psychologists like him" and see for yourself why Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers and Blink, makes perfect sense when he says: "I know of no one who combines theory and observation – intellectual rigor and painstaking observation of the real world – so brilliantly and gracefully as Gary Klein". *Dr. Gary A. Klein is a distinguished researcher and thought leader in the field of decision-making. He currently holds the position of Senior Scientist at MacroCognition LLC and is the Founder and Chief Scientist at Shadow Box LLC.

The Talmud teaches us that neither man nor beast can survive without a liver. In his lamentations, Jeremiah laments, "My eyes are tired of weeping, my intestines are burning, my liver has been spilled over the earth." In Greek mythology, the liver was considered to be the seat of life for both gods and humans. It is said that Prometheus, who was punished by Zeus for giving mankind the Olympic fire, had his liver eaten daily by an eagle. However, it is also said that his liver grew back every night. It would seem that the Greeks did not fully comprehend the regenerative properties of the liver, yet they were able to encapsulate its essence symbolically. Similarly, it is thought that Etruscan oracles could 'read' the future in a sheep's liver. In art, the suffering of Christ is often depicted with a wound on the right side, which is where the liver is located. This symbolism is thought to represent the duality of salvation, associated with the qualities of good and evil. "Indeed, it would appear that the right side was chosen in order to fulfil the prophecy of the Old Testament." All of this is documented in the book "Prometheus and the Liver through Art and Medicine", a fascinating multidisciplinary publication co-authored by Thomas M. van Gulik, a highly esteemed hepatobiliary surgeon and researcher globally, who is currently Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the Amsterdam University Medical Center in the Netherlands. We are honored to have him as our guest for this remarkable episode. You are warmly invited to join us for an enlightening session with Professor van Gulik. We will have the privilege of learning from him about liver resection and regeneration, as well as exploring other wonders of the human liver and the latest advances produced by science. From ancient times, the myth of Prometheus has held a special place in the collective imagination. From the humours of Hippocrates to Vesalius, the story has continued to resonate, inspiring scientists and artists alike. As Professor van Gulik notes, the tale reminds us of the regenerative power of the liver and the enduring significance of Prometheus' fate in motivating us to advance, create and serve humanity.