In this episode, Shivani sits down with Dr. Catharine Fairbairn an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology who heads the Alcohol Research Laboratory, to uncover the neuroscience behind alcohol use and addiction.
They dive into how social and emotional rewards drive drinking behavior, why alcohol’s “feel-good” effects are so fleeting, and how new research tools like eye tracking, transdermal sensors, and EEG hyperscanning are helping scientists understand the brain on booze.
🧠 Key Terms
Reward Pathways:Neural circuits—especially involving dopamine—that reinforce behaviors by linking them to feelings of pleasure or satisfaction. Alcohol briefly activates these pathways, which can promote repeated use.
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC):A measure of how much alcohol is in your bloodstream. The euphoric “buzz” usually occurs only as BAC is increasing—once it peaks or declines, sedation and fatigue take over.
Transdermal Sensors:Wearable devices that detect alcohol secreted through the skin, offering continuous readings of alcohol levels without requiring breath tests.
Neural Coupling:A measure of how synchronized two people’s brain activity is during social interaction. Dr. Fairbairn uses EEG to study whether alcohol makes brains more or less in sync.
Hedonic Dysregulation Model:A theory suggesting that with repeated alcohol use, the brain’s baseline mood shifts downward—meaning people drink not to feel good, but just to feel normal.
In this episode of BrainWaves, Eva sits down with Dr. Caterina Gratton, Associate Professor of Psychology at UIUC and PI of Gratton Lab, to unpack how our brains create, store, and protect memories. From the mysteries of neuroplasticity to the science of cognitive resilience, this episode dives into how brain networks evolve with age and what cutting-edge research reveals about keeping our minds sharp.
🧠 Key Terms
Neural Networks: Systems of connected brain regions that communicate and coordinate activity. Dr. Gratton studies how these large-scale networks shape memory and cognition.
Cognitive Control: The brain’s ability to direct thoughts and actions toward goals — focusing attention, ignoring distractions, and switching tasks.
Neuroplasticity: The brain’s capacity to change and reorganize through learning or after injury.
Brain Network Desegregation: With age, once-separate brain networks start interacting more, which can help integrate information but may reduce efficiency.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): A non-invasive technique using magnetic pulses to modulate brain activity; used in research and depression treatment.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): A surgical method using implanted electrodes to treat neurological disorders like Parkinson’s.
Precision Brain Mapping: Collecting detailed, individual brain data to tailor treatments and better understand personal differences in brain networks.
In this episode of BrainWaves, host Hridik Hingorani sits down with Anagha Dangi, the previous president of NeuroTech@UIUC, to explore the history of the field and her journey in neurotechnology. They discuss interdisciplinary research, EEGs, deep brain stimulation, outreach, and the future of neurotechnology in education, healthcare, and personalized medicine.
🧠 Key Terms
EEG (Electroencephalography) – A non-invasive method for recording electrical activity of the brain.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) – A surgical procedure that implants electrodes in the brain to regulate abnormal neural activity, often used for Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions.
N400 Signal – An event-related potential in EEG studies associated with language processing and semantic prediction.
VR Neurofeedback – The use of virtual reality environments to provide real-time feedback on brain activity for therapeutic or research purposes.
Dynamic Neuronal Circuits – Networks of neurons that constantly adapt and change in response to information and experience.
Connectome Project – An initiative to map all the neural connections in the brain.