Author: This Is Your Brain producer

(Interstitial Theme Music)Narrator: As former U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Brennan once said, “there is almost nothing more convincing than a live human being who takes the stand, points a finger at the defendant and declares, ‘That’s the one!’” But research on human memory and breakthroughs in DNA evidence show that eyewitness testimony is one of the least reliable form of evidence – despite what that 100th re-run of Law and Order would have us believe. Studies conclude that about half of erroneous convictions are caused by inaccurate eyewitness statements. It’s not that witnesses lie. It’s that our brains are…

Would a better understanding of the brain lead to better outcomes in court? Professor Francis X. Shen, neuroscientist and lawyer, has devoted his career to “neural law” – leveraging neuroscience to reduce injustice. Using what we know about addiction science, adolescent brain development, and traumatic injury could lead to better interventions to reduce recidivism and raise the bar on justice. Plus… why eyewitness memory is so very, very unreliable. Phil Stieg: Hello. I’d like to welcome Dr. Francis Shen. Dr. Shen is a Professor of Law and Faculty Member in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota.…

NarratorDuring this break, we’re going to take a moment to hear from some people who made music in school, and continue to “invest” in music making as adults. (Band music under) The music we’re listening to is by composer Michael Makowski. It’s being played by amateur musicians from the Grand Street Community Band. Don: I played music all through high school and stopped when I started the engineering school. 26 years later, I picked up my horn again, and I found the piece of my life I didn’t even know I was missing. Playing music gives me an avenue for…

Sound may be the least understood of the five senses, with music the most mysterious of all. Neuroscientist Nina Kraus of Northwestern University takes us on a tour of how the brain processes music, and explains the lifelong benefits of music education. Find out how music can help offset the effects of poverty, and how concussion distorts the perception of music in the brain. Plus… Why you really should make your child take piano lessons! Phil Stieg: Hello and welcome to Dr. Nina Kraus, professor of communication sciences, neurobiology and otolaryngology at Northwestern University and director of the Brainvolts Auditory…

(music under)Narrator: Let’s take a moment to see how the “Backyard Brains” program works with actual teenagers. Here’s Dr. Gage giving a TED talk in 2015…Greg Gage: (fade up) Alright, so I need a volunteer. What is your name? Sam, I’m going to record from your brain. Have you had this before? Okay, I need you to stick out your arm for science…. Narrator: Dr. Gage attaches two peel-and-stick electrodes to Samantha’s arm… Greg Gage: Go ahead and squeeze your hand. Alright… So this is your motor units are happening right here? Well, you have about 80 billion neurons inside…

Worried about dementia, depression, or the zombie apocalypse? Greg Gage, PhD, has a solution for all of these – teach more kids about neuroscience, stat. His company, Backyard Brains, makes do-it-yourself brain kits that wow students with robo-roaches, nerve takeovers, and the sounds of neurons popping. One of these aspiring neuroscientists just may save us from brain disorders (or zombies) some day. Plus… listen in as Gage demonstrates how to take over an unsuspecting audience member’s arm. Phil Stieg: Hello and welcome to Dr. Greg Gage, co-founder of Backyard Brains, a do it yourself neuroscience kit. One in five people…