Host Madeline S. Cheng dives into the science of how the brain really works - from everyday experiences to breakthrough technologies to new discoveries. Speaking of the Brain breaks down complex neuroscience into clear and engaging stories.
The Hidden Story of the Brain's Ventricles and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
What can the brain’s ventricles tell us about how the brain develops? In this episode of Speaking of the Brain, I explore research connecting ventricular development, neural stem cells, hydrocephalus, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. We’ll look at how changes in these fluid-filled structures may offer clues about developmental processes beginning much earlier in the brain and the potential to serve as an early detection tool for neurodevelopmental disorders.
1 Sept 2026
My Journey in Neuroscience (Part 2): Investigating the Kidney-Brain Axis Through Spatial Transcriptomics In the Lab of Dr. Harshman, M.D., M.S.
In Part 2 of "My Journey in Neuroscience", I share how my interests in neurodevelopment and kidney physiology came together through research on the kidney-brain axis in Dr. Harshman's lab at the University of Iowa. I discuss using spatial transcriptomics to investigate how pediatric chronic kidney disease may affect different regions of the developing brain and reflect on what I have learned from these experiences about curiosity and growth in research.
30 Jul 2026
My Journey in Neuroscience (Part 1): Inside the PEND Laboratory with Dr. Stevens, M.D., Ph.D.
In this episode of Speaking of the Brain, I share the story of how my journey into neuroscience research began at the University of Iowa's PEND Laboratory led by Dr. Hanna Stevens, M.D., Ph.D. From studying the placenta's role in neurodevelopment to discovering the value of curiosity, mentorship, and persistence, I reflect on the research experience that shaped my passion for becoming a physician-scientist and for neuroscience.
29 Jun 2026
Inside BrainIAC!: The New AI Model Decoding Brain MRIs
Description:
In this episode of Speaking of the Brain, we explore BrainIAC, a new AI tool that analyzes brain MRI scans to help predict brain age, dementia risk, stroke timing, brain tumor mutations, and cancer survival. Tune in to hear about how AI may uncover hidden patterns in medical images and what this could mean for earlier detection, more personalized care, and hope for many patients.
References:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-026-02202-6
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2026/02/new-ai-tool-predicts-brain-age-dementia-risk-cancer-survival/
https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/press-releases/ai-tool-brainiac-identifies-key-neuro-health-indicators-from-mri-datasets
31 May 2026
Listening to the Brain: Pushing the Parkinson's Disease Frontier with Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation
How can a brain implant adjust itself in real time? In this episode, we explore adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), a newly FDA-approved technology that can sense abnormal brain activity and automatically respond to changing symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Learn how decades of research led to this breakthrough and how it could transform the future of neurological treatment.
References:
https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/02/deep-adaptive-brain-stimulation-parkinsons.html
https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/09/helen-bronte-stewart-parkinsons-treatment-research-deep-brain-stimulation-therapy
https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/ask-md-next-generation-dbs-here
https://stanmed.stanford.edu/adbs-parkinsons-brain-pacemaker/
31 Mar 2026
Interview with Dr. Debebe Theodros, M.D., Ph.D., Neurosurgery Resident at Stanford University: Mentorship, Resilience, and Finding Your Path in Medicine
In this special episode of Speaking of the Brain, I sit down with Dr. Debebe Theodros, a neurosurgery resident at Stanford University and one of my mentors through the Harris Neuroscience Internship.
We discuss Dr. Theodros’s journey into medicine and neurosurgery, the challenges of training in one of the most demanding medical specialties, and the mentors who helped shape his path. Dr. Theodros also shares valuable insights about resilience, learning from failure, and what it means to support the next generation of scientists.
As someone who has learned so much from his mentorship, this conversation was especially meaningful to me. I hope listeners can take away a glimpse into the possible pathways for a neuroscientist and are encouraged to stay curious and keep moving forward even when things don’t go as planned.
8 Feb 2026
The Neuroscience Making Movement Muscle Memory
How does the brain turn practice into muscle memory? In this episode, we delve into how movement and memory are encoded in the brain, as explored through the work of Stanford neuroscientist Dr. Jun Ding. Learn how neural circuits refine with practice, why skills become automatic over time, and what this research reveals about aging, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.
Sources:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/inside-the-science-of-memory (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/inside-the-science-of-memory)
https://www.usa.edu/blog/science-backed-memory-tips/ (https://www.usa.edu/blog/science-backed-memory-tips/)
https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2024/03/memory-age-dementia-healthy-brain.html (https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2024/03/memory-age-dementia-healthy-brain.html)
https://neuroscience.stanford.edu/news/stanford-researchers-observe-memory-formation-real-time (https://neuroscience.stanford.edu/news/stanford-researchers-observe-memory-formation-real-time)
https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2022/07/the-science-behind-muscle-memory.html (https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2022/07/the-science-behind-muscle-memory.html)
https://scitechdaily.com/stanford-scientists-rethink-how-we-learn-to-move-in-the-world/ (https://scitechdaily.com/stanford-scientists-rethink-how-we-learn-to-move-in-the-world/)
https://brainresilience.stanford.edu/news/rethinking-how-we-learn-move-world (https://brainresilience.stanford.edu/news/rethinking-how-we-learn-move-world)
https://www.science.org.au/curious/people-medicine/all-our-different-types-memories (https://www.science.org.au/curious/people-medicine/all-our-different-types-memories)
19 Jan 2026
New Year, Same Brain: Why New Year’s Resolutions Are So Hard to Stick to
Why do New Year’s resolutions start out strong and then fizzle so fast? On this episode of Speaking of the Brain, we dive into what your brain is really doing when you try to change. From habit loops to motivation crashes to decision fatigue, we’ll explore why sticking to goals is harder than it seems and how to outsmart your own brain.
Sources:
https://sceniccityneurotherapy.com/why-new-years-resolutions-fail-a-neuroscience-and-psychological-perspective/ (https://sceniccityneurotherapy.com/why-new-years-resolutions-fail-a-neuroscience-and-psychological-perspective/)
https://time.com/7342704/new-year-resolutions/ (https://time.com/7342704/new-year-resolutions/)
https://www.uab.edu/news/news-you-can-use/brain-hack-neuroscience-tips-to-make-new-years-resolutions-stick (https://www.uab.edu/news/news-you-can-use/brain-hack-neuroscience-tips-to-make-new-years-resolutions-stick)
https://news.wfu.edu/2025/12/11/thinking-of-making-new-years-resolutions-the-trick-isnt-trying-harder-its-planning-smarter/ (https://news.wfu.edu/2025/12/11/thinking-of-making-new-years-resolutions-the-trick-isnt-trying-harder-its-planning-smarter/)
https://hbr.org/2022/01/to-build-new-habits-get-comfortable-failing (https://hbr.org/2022/01/to-build-new-habits-get-comfortable-failing)
30 Dec 2025
Left or Right, Which Is It?: Debunking What We Think About Thinking
Are you “left-brained” or “right-brained”? In this episode, we take a closer look at the popular myth behind the brain dominance theory and explore what neuroscience actually says. From hemispheric specialization to the brain’s high-speed communication system, the corpus callosum, we uncover why creativity, logic, intuition, and reasoning aren’t split down the middle. Tune in for a myth-busting dive into how the brain really functions as a whole.
20 Dec 2025
Bridging Mind and Motion: The Tech Helping People Walk Again
In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking “digital bridge” developed by Dr. Grégoire Courtine and Dr. Jocelyne Bloch, a wireless brain-spine interface that helps restore movement after spinal cord injury. Learn how thoughts can once again become actions through cutting-edge neurotechnology.
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/post-next/interactive/2025/jocelyne-bloch-gregoire-courtine/ (https://www.washingtonpost.com/post-next/interactive/2025/jocelyne-bloch-gregoire-courtine/)
https://www.wired.com/sponsored/story/rolex-gregoire-courtine-neuroscience/ (https://www.wired.com/sponsored/story/rolex-gregoire-courtine-neuroscience/)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03306-x (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03306-x)
https://www.lausanneuniversityhospital.com/brain-computer-interface-enables-thought-controlled-walking-after-spinal-cord-injury (https://www.lausanneuniversityhospital.com/brain-computer-interface-enables-thought-controlled-walking-after-spinal-cord-injury)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05385-7 (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05385-7)
26 Nov 2025
Precision Without Surgery: Dr. Ali Rezai and Focused Ultrasound
Description:
In this episode, we explore focused ultrasound–how this noninvasive technique targets deep brain circuits, how it can modulate neural activity, and why researchers see it as a breakthrough for treating conditions like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and addiction.
Sources:
https://www.brightfocus.org/resource/how-focused-ultrasound-is-changing-alzheimers-treatment/ (https://www.brightfocus.org/resource/how-focused-ultrasound-is-changing-alzheimers-treatment/)
https://www.fusfoundation.org/posts/ali-rezai-emerging-applications-of-focused-ultrasound-alzheimer-s-disease/ (https://www.fusfoundation.org/posts/ali-rezai-emerging-applications-of-focused-ultrasound-alzheimer-s-disease/)
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/neurosurgeon-works-to-slow-alzheimers-progression-treat-drug-addiction-60-minutes-transcript/ (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/neurosurgeon-works-to-slow-alzheimers-progression-treat-drug-addiction-60-minutes-transcript/)
https://www.rsna.org/media/press/i/2131 (https://www.rsna.org/media/press/i/2131)
26 Nov 2025
The Night Shift Inside Your Brain
In this episode, we break down how your brain controls sleep–how it knows when to power down, what happens during each stage, and why quality rest is crucial for learning, memory, and mood.
Sources:
https://sleep.hms.harvard.edu/education-training/public-education/sleep-and-health-education-program/sleep-health-education-48 (https://sleep.hms.harvard.edu/education-training/public-education/sleep-and-health-education-program/sleep-health-education-48)
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep (https://www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep)
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-science-of-sleep-understanding-what-happens-when-you-sleep (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-science-of-sleep-understanding-what-happens-when-you-sleep)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/12148-sleep-basics (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/12148-sleep-basics)
26 Nov 2025
Welcome to Speaking of the Brain! - Under Pressure: Why Stress Hits the Brain Hard
Kicking off our very first episode, we dive into the neuroscience of stress: what triggers it, how your brain processes it, and what happens when stress becomes a daily norm.
Sources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response (https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-023-01986-4 (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-023-01986-4)
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.00041.2006 (https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.00041.2006)
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