Explore Brain Health
The brain is everyone's business. And as we age, brain health becomes an especially important aspect of our overall health and quality of life for many of us.
That's why the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington (OLLI-UW), the UW Department of Bioengineering and the Dana Foundation have joined forces to create a series of lectures about brain health. Hear from experts in the field of neuroscience about a variety of topics related to our brains, cognitive functioning and physical health — in accessible and understandable terms.
Join us as we share the wonders of the brain and the impact brain science has on our everyday lives.
Recorded Lectures
Journey Into the Brain
The brain has fascinated and puzzled scientists and philosophers for thousands of years. Although we know a great deal about the brain, there is still so much more to learn. Join Eric Chudler, research associate professor in the Department of Bioengineering and the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine at the UW, as he leads a fascinating interactive journey into the brain. He'll discuss the basic function and structure of the brain and addresses several common myths. His guided tour of our most important organ will offer insights into our current knowledge of the brain and suggest future directions for brain research. Check out additional reading.
Dementia & Memory Loss
Take a deep dive into the organization of the human brain and memory with Thomas Grabowski, director of the UW Medicine Memory and Brain Wellness Center. We'll pay special attention to a strengths-based reframing of Alzheimer's disease as well as leading-edge treatments available to manage it. Check out additional reading.
Getting a Good Night's Sleep: A Key to Aging Well
Take the first step toward better sleep with Michael V. Vitiello, professor emeritus of psychiatry & behavioral sciences, gerontology & geriatric medicine, and biobehavioral nursing. Learn how a good night’s sleep promotes healthy aging, why we tend to get less than we need, and the link between sleep and illness. Check out additional reading.
Alzheimer's Dementia: An Introduction to Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Learn how Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia are typically diagnosed and distinguished from cognitive changes that happen with normal aging. Eran Klein, a behavioral neurologist at Oregon Health and Science University and the Portland VA Medical Center, will discuss treatments for Alzheimer's disease and evidence for preventing cognitive decline later in life. Check out additional reading.
The Secret Lives of Memories
Subjectively, our memories can feel like polaroids of our lives. We snap them casually and frequently, toss them in a drawer with the others, and take them out — if we can find them among the others in the pile — as needed. Recent neuroscience research, however, reveals a more complex reality. Chantel Prat, professor in the UW Department of Psychology, and Andrea Stocco, associate professor in the UW Department of Psychology, will outline how our memories have complex, hidden lives and that much can happen to them without our conscious awareness. Discover how our memories change as we age and are compromised by disease. And learn how you can leverage what we know about memory to maximize learning and growth opportunities during your life. Check out additional reading.
Concussions: Prevention, Evaluation & Treatment
A concussion is the brief alteration of consciousness, but it's a lot more than that after the event. For many years, concussions were viewed as an almost trivial, brief event. However, as in many things in medicine, times have changed. In the current understanding of concussions, these changes have been largely driven by the relatively new discovery of CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which can produce major alterations in both brain architecture and behavior. Join us to hear Richard Rapport, clinical professor of neurological surgery at the UW School of Medicine, discuss the latest research on concussions. Check out additional reading.
How Do We Discern Reliable Science From Less Reliable Science?
Science is the greatest of human inventions. Through its norms and procedures, we've improved human health and longevity. But what about the health of science itself? How do we discern reliable science from less reliable science, especially in the era of artificial intelligence? Turning the proverbial microscope on science itself, Jevin West, associate professor in the UW Information School, will explore some of the ways that science misinformation spreads. He'll provide a set of skills, tools and case studies you can use to identify predatory journals, statistical mishaps misplaced expertise, publication bias, hype and other issues related to misinformation. Check out additional reading.
Optimizing Brain Health With Nutrition
In this lecture, we'll explore important nutrients and foods that support brain health and cognitive function, discuss simple and practical ways to incorporate brain supportive foods into our everyday diets, and review strategies to improve motivation and make lasting dietary changes for better health. Our guide for this discussion is Kelly Morrow, a registered dietitian nutritionist and an affiliate instructor at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Washington. Check out additional reading.
Stroke & the Brain
Join us to learn more about how the brain is affected by a stroke with David Tirschwell, medical director of comprehensive stroke care at the UW Medicine Stroke Clinic at Harborview and a UW professor of neurology. Tirschwell specializes in inpatient general neurology, stroke neurology, neuro-critical care and outpatient stroke neurology. Check out additional reading.
Pain & the Brain
Learn about the brain and understand pain with Dr. John D. Loeser, professor emeritus of Neurological Surgery and Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Washington. He has been active in research, teaching and patient care in the field of Pain Management for over 55 years. Check out additional reading.
Rx for Brain Health: Thoughtful Medication Management for Older Adults
Join us as we learn more about how medications affect the health of your brain with Leigh Ann Mike, a clinical associate professor of pharmacy at the UW and assistant director for education in the Plein Center for Geriatric Pharmacy Research, Education and Outreach. She's board certified as a pharmacotherapy specialist and a geriatric pharmacist, and currently practices as a consultant pharmacist at a Seattle-area assisted living community. Check out additional reading.
Gains & Losses in the World of Weight: How the Brain & Hormones Control Your Weight
As we grow older, many of us begin to lose weight. For some of us, the weight loss can be significant. This is the opposite side of the coin that many of us face in our younger years, battling to keep the pounds off. Both gaining and losing weight is influenced by many factors, but our brain and its response to the hormonal signals coming from the body are major players. In this lecture from speaker William Banks, we'll explore the interplay between brain and body, with special emphasis on unwanted weight loss in the later years. Check out additional reading.
Introducing Parkinson's Disease: Not Just a Tremor
Join us as we learn about how Parkinson's disease is diagnosed and treated with Kimmy Su, assistant professor of neurology and movement disorders specialist at the University of Washington and VA Puget Sound Healthcare System. She's also the medical director for the American Parkinson's Disease Association Northwest Chapter and a strong advocate for empowerment through education. Check out additional reading.
Partners
