Gray Matters is a radio series on brain topics that has been produced since 1994 by Public Radio International in association with the Dana Alliance.  More than 25 programs have been created on topics ranging from stress, neuroethics, learning throughout life and sports, fitness and the Brain.  Dana Alliance members serve as advisors to Gray Matters programming and are interviewed during the programs.

The Alliance also supports other popular radio segments, including the following:

  • The public radio program Midday examines how neuroscience can explain the role gender plays in education. Martha Denckla, MD, Alliance member, research scientist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and professor of Neurology, Pediatrics and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is featured in the segment and takes listeners' questions on air.  You can listen to it here. 
  • An episode from Radiolab examines the unique occupation of extra actors who were hired to laugh. Answering an unusual call from a casting director, these cacklers and chortlers found steady employment on The Nanny and other sitcoms...until the advent of reality television. You can listen to it here or read the transcript here.
  • This installment from NPR’s “All Things Considered” focuses on a blind man who can still “see.” Science correspondent Robert Krulwich reports on this former executive who went blind, but thanks to a not-uncommon condition called Charles Bonnet syndrome, began to have hallucinatory visions that became something of a comfort for him.
  • The public radio program “The Infinite Mind” explores the effect of Alzheimer’s on a family, recent research developments, and a 47-year-old’s firsthand account of living with the disease.

Gray Matters programs, shown below, are now available as podcasts and transcripts.

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The Importance of Clinical Trials

Mar 16, 2009

Clinical Trials have long been a part of the history of medical research. While testing new drugs or devices, investigators enlist patients with fixed characteristics, dispense treatments and assemble data for a set period of time. The results can be crucial for the advancement of medical knowledge. Dr. Reisa Sperling knows that well. She’s the Director of Clinical Research in the Memory Disorders Unit at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Director of the Neuroimaging program at the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. In this podcast, she talks about her own research and the importance of clinical trials and the patients who so generously participate in them.
» Transcript

Neuroethics and Deep Brain Stimulation

Feb 01, 2009

While Research in brain science holds exciting prospects for the treatment of disease, our increasing ability to manipulate the brain poses grave questions both for scientists and for society at large. An emerging field called Neuroethics is connected with a broad array of issues that ask where do we draw the line on manipulating brain function? In this podcast, Dr. Judy Illes, Canada Research Chair in Neuroethics and Professor of Neurology at the University of British Columbia, offers some background on the neural maze of science and ethics.
» Transcript

Healthy Aging with Eric Kandel, M.D (Part 1)

Dec 01, 2008

Welcome to a podcast series from the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives which presents the research and life stories of three prominent neuroscientists. In this podcast, we feature Dr. Eric Kandel who has spent his life studying learning and memory. In the year 2000, Dr. Kandel won the Nobel Prize for his research on how short and long term memories are created and stored. Dr. Kandel's most recent book, In Search of Memory: The Emergence of a new Science of Mind tells his life story as well as breakthroughs in our knowledge of learning and memory.
» Transcript

Healthy Aging with Eric Kandel, M.D. (Part 2)

Dec 01, 2008

Welcome to a podcast series from the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives which presents the research and life stories of three prominent neuroscientists. In this podcast, Dr. Eric Kandel shares his thoughts about how to remain healthy as we age and describes his own remarkably active life.
» Transcript

Healthy Aging with Marilyn Albert, Ph.D. and Guy McKhann, M.D. (Part 1)

Dec 01, 2008

Welcome to a podcast series from the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives which presents the research and life stories of three prominent neuroscientists. In this podcast, Drs. Marilyn Albert and Guy McKhann are among the leading experts in the world—on how to age and how to keep our brains young. They’ve go-authored a book about it and head separate departments at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine—where they have each significantly advanced research in the field. And they are a husband and wife team—who are aging gracefully together. In this two-part series, they discuss their research and offer their own reflections on the optimal path to aging well.
» Transcript

Healthy Aging with Marilyn Albert, Ph.D. and Guy McKhann, M.D. (Part 2)

Dec 01, 2008

Welcome to a podcast series from the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives which presents the research and life stories of three prominent neuroscientists. In this podcast, Drs. Marilyn Albert and Guy McKhann are among the leading experts in the world—on how to age and how to keep our brains young. They’ve go-authored a book about it and head separate departments at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine—where they have each significantly advanced research in the field. And they are a husband and wife team—who are aging gracefully together. In this two-part series, they discuss their research and offer their own reflections on the optimal path to aging well.
» Transcript

Brain Wandell, Ph.D. on the findings of the Dana Arts and Cognition Consortium

Jul 31, 2008

In this podcast we hear from Dr. Brian Wandell of the department of psychology at Stanford University. His research for the Dana Consortium focused on identifying regions of the brain and neural pathways related to reading and exploring the relationship between early arts training, art capability, and the development of the children’s reading skills.
» Transcript

Elizabeth Spelke, Ph.D. on the findings of the Dana Arts and Cognition Consortium

Jul 31, 2008

In this podcast, we hear from Dr. Elizabeth Spelke, Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and Co-Director of the Mind, Brain, and Behavior Initiative. For thirty years, Dr. Spelke has been investigating how infants and very young children gain their knowledge of the world. In her research for the Dana Consortium, Dr. Spelke conducted a series of studies examining the relationship between music and mathematical abilities.
» Transcript

Michael Posner, M.S., Ph.D. on the findings of the Dana Arts and Cognition Consortium

Jul 31, 2008

In this podcast we hear from Dr. Michael Posner, Professor Emeritus at the University of Oregon in the department of psychology. Dr. Posner is best known for his work on imaging the brain during cognitive tasks. His research for the Dana Consortium focused on exploring whether changes in the brain that might take place in arts training might also affect children and their overall cognition.
» Transcript

Autism Commentary with Dr. Barry Gordon

Apr 23, 2008

In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, Alliance member, noted author and leading authority on memory, Barry Gordon, M.D., Ph.D. talks as a researcher and parent of an autistic child about the current state of autism.
» Transcript
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Dana Alliance Publications

2010 Progress Report on Brain Research

2010 Progress Report on Brain Research

Describes and interprets the important advances in neuroscience of the previous year, contributing to better diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the numerous diseases that affect the brain. Available by download as a PDF.
Q&A: Answering Your Questions About Brain Research

Q&A: Answering Your Questions About Brain Research

A pamphlet that provides the answers to commonly asked questions about the brain and its disorders.
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Brain Connections

Brain Connections

An online guide that lists more than 240 organizations in the United States likely to help those looking for information, referrals, and other guidance in connection with brain-related disorders. Listings provide mailing addresses, toll-free numbers, e-mail and Web site addresses, and identify the primary services each organization provides. Available by download as a PDF.
It's Mindboggling!

It's Mindboggling!

Packed with information about the brain in a fun format of games, riddles, and puzzles, this booklet is perfect for middle and high school students.
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Es Increible!

Es Increible!

The Spanish edition of It's Mindboggling! is packed with information about the brain in a fun format of games, riddles, and puzzles. This booklet is perfect for middle and high school students.
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More Mindbogglers!

More Mindbogglers!

An addition to It’s Mindboggling!, this new publication is a closer look at learning and memory, the senses, drug addition, and how the brain and nervous system work...still in a fun format.
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The Mindboggling Workbook

The Mindboggling Workbook

A fun-filled activity book about the brain for children in grades K-3 (ages 5-9). Provides an introduction to how the brain works, what the brain does, its importance, and how to take care of it.
Request Publication »
Staying Sharp: Chronic Health Issues

Staying Sharp: Chronic Health Issues

Half of all Americans live with at least one chronic health problem. Understanding your illness can help you manage your symptoms, make appropriate life adjustments and regain control of your life. Available by download as a PDF.
Staying Sharp: Depression

Staying Sharp: Depression

Many people mistakenly believe that depression is normal for older people and that little can be done about it, but it is not an inevitable part of aging. Find out more about depression as we age and what can be done. Available by download as a PDF.
Staying Sharp: Learning Throughout Life

Staying Sharp: Learning Throughout Life

The human brain is a learning machine. But do we learn the same no matter our age? Recent advances in brain research offer good news for anyone interested in maintaining brain health for a lifetime of learning. Available by download as a PDF.
Staying Sharp: Memory Loss and Aging

Staying Sharp: Memory Loss and Aging

Small memory slips are a perfectly normal part of everyday life. But what happens when we get older? Learn more about what we can do to preserve our memory and other mental abilities as we age. Available by download as a PDF.
Staying Sharp: Quality of Life

Staying Sharp: Quality of Life

How much of the aging process is "normal" and how much can we do to improve our quality of life as we get older? Find out more about "cognitive fitness" and what brain research can tell us about the characteristics of successful brain aging. Available by download as a PDF. Also available in Spanish.
Staying Sharp: Successful Aging and Your Brain

Staying Sharp: Successful Aging and Your Brain

We all know people who seem to blossom after 50, or stay sharp well into old age. What can we learn from their experience? Find out what steps you can take now to improve your brain fitness, regardless of your age. Available by download as a PDF.
Your Brain at Work: Making the Science of Cognitive Fitness Work for You

Your Brain at Work: Making the Science of Cognitive Fitness Work for You

We’ve all seen the news: we can affect how our brains work. Neuroscience tells us that we can increase our chances of maintaining our mental edge and functional independence throughout our lives. How? By working to keep our brains fit the way we work to keep our bodies healthy. Produced by the Dana Alliance in partnership with The Conference Board, this booklet is aimed at individuals in the workplace.
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