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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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

The Brain-Injured Soldier Part 1

Mar 10, 2008

A two-part podcast about the connection and intersection of brain injury and PTSD in U.S. veterans of the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Featuring an interview with Dr. Jordon Grafman, senior investigator at the National Institute of Neurological Disoders and Stroke, the podcasts will explain the history, science and treatment implications of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and explore this subject from the perspective of the injured veteran as well.
» Transcript

The Brain-Injured Soldier Part 2

Mar 10, 2008

A two-part podcast about the connection and intersection of brain injury and PTSD in U.S. veterans of the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Featuring an interview with Dr. Jordon Grafman, senior investigator at the National Institute of Neurological Disoders and Stroke, the podcasts will explain the history, science and treatment implications of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and explore this subject from the perspective of the injured veteran as well.
» Transcript
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Dana Alliance Publications

2009 Progress Report on Brain Research

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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.
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

A pocket-sized resource booklet in its seventh edition that lists more than 240 organizations likely to help those looking for information, referrals, and other guidance in connection with brain-related disorders.
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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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