Radiolab - Vertigogo | Radiolab Podcast
The episode begins with Liza Shoenfeld, a research technician, who experiences an acute dystonia during her grad school interviews due to a reaction to the nausea medication Compazine. This drug affected her basal ganglia, causing involuntary muscle movements, similar to the effects she studied in mice using optogenetics. Despite the ordeal, she recovers quickly with Benadryl and continues her research with a newfound empathy for her subjects.
The second story, narrated by actress Hope Davis, recounts Rosemary Morton's experience with labyrinthitis, a condition causing severe vertigo. Morton describes her world turning into a disorienting, shifting space, affecting her perception and physical sensations. Despite extensive medical consultations, her condition remains a mystery until it resolves spontaneously. The episode highlights the unpredictability of brain-related disorders and the challenges in diagnosing and understanding them.
Key Points:
- Liza Shoenfeld experienced acute dystonia due to Compazine affecting her basal ganglia, causing involuntary movements.
- Optogenetics was used in her research to control mouse movements, paralleling her own experience with the drug.
- Rosemary Morton suffered from labyrinthitis, causing severe vertigo and altering her perception of space.
- Both stories illustrate the complexity and unpredictability of brain disorders.
- Liza's condition was resolved with Benadryl, while Rosemary's vertigo disappeared spontaneously.
Details:
1. 🎙️ Radiolab Presents: Vertigogogo
- The segment introduces the theme of experiencing a disorienting mental state, akin to vertigo, emphasizing the occasional discord between brain and self.
- It sets up two stories about individuals experiencing a new type of vertigo, highlighting the mental disorientation and its impact.
- Focus is placed on the concept of mental disorientation, but lacks concrete data or specific strategies, offering a thematic rather than analytical introduction.
2. 🧠 Inside Liza's Brain: A Scientific Journey
2.1. Scientific Experimentation
2.2. Career Aspirations
3. 🤯 A Battle with Basal Ganglia: Liza's Unwanted Adventure
3.1. Liza's Interview Experience and Medical Emergency
3.2. Outcomes and Reflections
4. 🎓 Triumph Over Trials: Liza's Academic Success
- Liza Schoenfeld demonstrates a deep level of empathy in academic settings, fostering a supportive and encouraging environment for students.
- Her empathetic approach has shifted student engagement, leading to improved interactions and potentially better academic outcomes.
- By understanding and empathizing with students, she creates an environment that encourages persistence and resilience, which can significantly impact student success.
- Liza's approach is exemplified through interactions where she actively listens and responds to student needs, enhancing their learning experience.
5. 📜 Rosemary's Mysterious Vertigo
5.1. Introduction
5.2. Story Background
5.3. Initial Symptoms
5.4. Progression of Symptoms
5.5. Medical Consultation
5.6. Heightened Experiences
5.7. Diagnosis and Resolution
5.8. Conclusion
6. 🎧 Closing Notes and Future Explorations
- Radiolab's episode "How Stockholm Stuck," reported by Sarah Qari, offers a detailed exploration of Stockholm syndrome, examining its origins and impact.
- An addendum to the episode features a candid discussion between Sarah Qari and psychiatrist Frank Ochberg, a key figure in the study of Stockholm syndrome, available in Radiolab's members-only feed, The Lab.
- Listeners are encouraged to join The Lab for exclusive content, including extra conversations and bonus audio, accessible at www.radiolab.org/join.