Our senses in motion w/ Dr. Rona Graham

Our senses in motion w/ Dr. Rona Graham

Our senses of smell and taste shape some of life’s most meaningful and pleasurable experiences — from the perfume of a spring day to the familiar aroma of our grandmother’s apple pie. Yet we rarely stop to consider how deeply these everyday sensory experiences are connected to the brain and its health. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Rona Graham, a neuroscientist whose research explores olfactory function as an early biomarker for cognitive impairment. Together, we unpack how this often-overlooked sensory process is intimately tied not only to the richness of our daily lives, but also to cognition, memory, and overall brain health. Visit our website for show notes, links and more and be sure to follow us! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review! https://dancestreamprojects.org/dancing-into-brain-health-podcast [https://dancestreamprojects.org/dancing-into-brain-health-podcast] Learn more about Dr. Rona Graham: https://sites.google.com/view/ronakgraham/home [https://sites.google.com/view/ronakgraham/home] Dr. Rona Graham is the Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Research Centre on Aging, Universite de Sherbrooke. Her research interests include olfactory system dysfunction in Neurodegenerative diseases, olfactory therapy as a measure to delay symptoms in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer disease, the development of a public Smell and Taste Clinic of offer olfactory testing and training, leading olfactory therapy clinical trials, the development of clinical tests to detect premanifest dementia and other therapeutic approaches including caspases and cell death pathways. The overall goal of Professor Graham’s health science research program is to delineate mechanisms in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases that will allow approaches to therapy that will halt progression or lead to a cure for such disorders. In particular her focus is on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer (AD) and Huntington disease (HD) and the olfactory system dysfunction. Her long-term goal is developing a multi-modal, longitudinal approach, to relate the imaging measures to the age-dependent behavioral and neuropathological changes in MCI, AD and HD. This will enable delineation of underlying mechanisms, determination of early and robust clinical endpoints for trials, and identification of drug targets. Read more about the connection of smell, taste and the brain: Volumetric MRI Demonstrates Atrophy of the Olfactory Cortex in AD https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33327913/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33327913/] Olfactory Dysfunction Associated with Cognitive Decline in an Elderly Population https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36545820/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36545820/] Specific olfactory deficit patterns observed in seniors and associated with cognitive decline https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37120003/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37120003/] Amelioration of Cognitive and Olfactory System Deficits in APOE4 Transgenic Mice with DHA Treatment https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37329383/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37329383/] Early deficits in olfaction are associated with structural and molecular alterations in the olfactory system of a Huntington disease mouse model https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32436947/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32436947/] Diet enriched in omega-3 fatty acids alleviates olfactory system deficits in APOE4 transgenic mice https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34549475/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34549475/] This episode of Dancing into Brain Health was edited and produced Magda Kaczmarska and Hilary Brown-Istrefi. The music for this show is the title cut from the album, Critical Path by Joe Venegoni and Carl Weingarten.

Dancing into Communication w/ Dr. Constantina Theofanopoulou

Dance has long been described as a universal language — a form of expression that transcends words, cultures, and generations. Through rhythm, gesture, and movement, dance allows us to communicate emotion, tell stories, and connect with one another in deeply human ways. Whether we are moving ourselves or witnessing others move, dance has a remarkable ability to draw us in, awaken something within us, and make us feel understood without a single word being spoken. But what if dance does more than communicate? What if it can actually help us speak? In this episode of Dancing into Brain Health, we explore the fascinating intersection of dance, neuroscience, and communication with dancer and neuroscientist Dr. Constantina Theofanopoulou. Her groundbreaking research investigates the neural substrates of speech and the ways movement — particularly dance — may support, strengthen, and even rehabilitate our ability to communicate. Together, we uncover how rhythm and movement may activate some of the brain’s deepest communication networks, opening new possibilities for understanding speech, connection, and the profound relationship between the moving body and the speaking mind. Visit our website for show notes and links to learn more: https://dancestreamprojects.org/dancing-into-brain-health-podcast To learn more about Dr. Constantina Theofanopoulou:  https://www.constantinatheofanopoulou.com/ [https://www.constantinatheofanopoulou.com/] Read more about the connection of dance, communication and speech “Dancing towards speech improvement: Repurposing dance for motor speech deficits in neurodegenerative diseases” https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/13872877241313304 [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/13872877241313304] “Impact of Amazonian Dance on Speech Performance in People with Parkinson’s Disease” https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.12.699086v1.full [https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.12.699086v1.full] “Mobile brain imaging in butoh dancers: from rehearsals to public performance” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39506628/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39506628/] Join Dr. Theofanopoulou’s Research Study - Investigating the brain mechanisms of a dance-based intervention in Parkinson’s Disease https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdhdt8B0KFXuF2UR7GZ-Fh-TDTb7psmbT9zsIIalPAza8Wyg/viewform [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdhdt8B0KFXuF2UR7GZ-Fh-TDTb7psmbT9zsIIalPAza8Wyg/viewform] This episode of Dancing into Brain Health was edited and produced Magda Kaczmarska and Hilary Brown-Istrefi. The music for this show is the title cut from the album, Critical Path by Joe Venegoni and Carl Weingarten.

Special Issue: More Good Days, Together - Mental Health, Brain Health & Community

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month 2026, DanceStream Projects executive director Magda Kaczmarska sat down with Mark Timmons, artist, advocate and person living with dementia, for a conversation about the intersections of mental health and brain health. Resources:  Mental Health Month Action Guide https://mhanational.org/2026-mental-health-month-action-guide/ [https://mhanational.org/2026-mental-health-month-action-guide/] Pathways To Wellbeing with Dementia: https://daanow.org/pathways/ [https://daanow.org/pathways/] Mark Timmons Poetry: https://marktimmonsphotography.com/poetry/ [https://marktimmonsphotography.com/poetry/] About Mark Timmons:  Mark Timmons is an active member of the Eden Alternative and serves as a leader within the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA). Since being diagnosed with dementia in early 2017 at age 48, he has drawn on his personal experience to inform his advocacy and leadership. As his condition has progressed, Timmons has focused on the creative arts, strongly supporting the link between artistic expression, movement, and brain health. He is a member of the Eden Alternative’s Speakers Bureau, is the longest-serving member of DAA’s Advisory Board and co-hosts several of DAA’s Virtual Engagement Programs and Discussion Groups. Mark also routinely collaborates with DanceStream Projects on artistic and advocacy projects. In addition to his work with DAA, Timmons is a photographer, writer/poet, and advocates for causes related to homelessness and mental health. You may find him in the garden, on a hike (always with his camera), or researching family histories.  Content Note:  This conversation includes personal experiences related to mental health, including discussion of suicide loss and eating disorders. We recognize that these topics may feel sensitive or activating for some listeners and readers. We invite you to engage with this conversation in whatever way feels most supportive for you, whether that means taking breaks, listening with support, or choosing to return to it at another time. Our hope is that this conversation offers compassion, connection, and a reminder that no one has to navigate these experiences alone. More than one billion people in the world live with mental illness. You are not alone. If you or someone you love is in crisis, please call or text 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

Inclusive Design for Brain Health w/ Macarena Espina Díaz

Brain health is not merely the absence of disease; it is the sum of our physical, emotional, social, and cognitive well-being. Designing social and physical environments that support brain health as we age is essential to ensuring dignity, autonomy, and security across the lifespan. In this episode of the Dancing into Brain Health Podcast, we are joined by Macarena Espina Díaz, whose work centers on building precisely these kinds of supportive environments. With a focus on inclusivity and human-centered design, she cultivates social and physical spaces that uphold dignity and enhance quality of life for people living with dementia. Macarena brings together her expertise as an industrial designer and artist to bridge academic, community, and policy spheres. Through her work, she fosters meaningful dialogue, advances policy, and promotes environmental adaptations that expand equitable access to resources for people living with dementia in her home country of Chile. As an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at Trinity College Dublin, she collaborated with the University and local housing organizations to develop policy briefs, educational seminars, and design recommendations. These efforts contributed to envisioning Ireland’s first brain health–focused intergenerational housing community. Together, we explore the importance of inclusive design—particularly for those living with dementia—and consider how each of us can engage more intentionally with our social and physical environments to support brain health for all. Learn more about Macarena Espina Díaz: https://www.gbhi.org/profiles/macarena-espina-diaz [https://www.gbhi.org/profiles/macarena-espina-diaz] Read and watch more: https://www.viviendocondemencia.cl/ [https://www.viviendocondemencia.cl/] Inclusive Design for People Living with Dementia in Chile [In Spanish/ En Español] https://www.canal9.cl/episodios/nuestra-casa/2021/05/05/viviendo-con-demencias-caja-de-herramientas-para-adecuar-el-hogar-de-quienes-viven-con-demencia [https://www.canal9.cl/episodios/nuestra-casa/2021/05/05/viviendo-con-demencias-caja-de-herramientas-para-adecuar-el-hogar-de-quienes-viven-con-demencia] [In Spanish/ En Español] The “Living with Dementia” toolkit free download via the following link | La caja de herramientas «Vivir con demencia» disponible para su descarga gratuita a través del siguiente enlace:https://www.uchile.cl/publicaciones/174559/caja-de-herramientas-viviendo-con-demencias [https://www.uchile.cl/publicaciones/174559/caja-de-herramientas-viviendo-con-demencias] [In Spanish / En Español] Launch and Discussion: "Let's Talk About Living with Dementia" | Lanzamiento y conversatorio "Hablemos de Vivir con Demencia" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s18pImHoglg [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s18pImHoglg] Inclusive Environments for People Living with Dementia from Rural Areas of Chile and their Families https://www.gbhi.org/projects/inclusive-environments-people-living-dementia-rural-areas-chile-and-their-families [https://www.gbhi.org/projects/inclusive-environments-people-living-dementia-rural-areas-chile-and-their-families] Fostering the Enjoyment of Eating through Inclusive Strategies for People Living with Dementia https://www.gbhi.org/news-publications/fostering-enjoyment-eating-through-inclusive-strategies-people-living-dementia [https://www.gbhi.org/news-publications/fostering-enjoyment-eating-through-inclusive-strategies-people-living-dementia] Tool Kit: Strategies to facilitate eating and swallowing in people living with early-stage dementia (2025) https://libros.uchile.cl/1494 [https://libros.uchile.cl/1494] Caja de herramientas “Estrategias para favorecer la alimentación y deglución de personas con demencia en etapas tempranas” https://uchile.cl/publicaciones/217343/caja-de-herramientas-estrategias-para-alimentacion-y-demencias [https://uchile.cl/publicaciones/217343/caja-de-herramientas-estrategias-para-alimentacion-y-demencias] Built environments that foster lifelong brain health Brain Health and Housing (Global Brain Health Institute – Trinity College Dublin and Respond Housing Association – Ireland) https://www.gbhi.org/projects/brain-health-and-housing [https://www.gbhi.org/projects/brain-health-and-housing] Bringing brain health home: the importance of housing and the urban environment for building this generation’s brain health https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/23748834.2024.2327815 [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/23748834.2024.2327815] This episode of Dancing into Brain Health was edited and produced Magda Kaczmarska and Hilary Brown-Istrefi. The music for this show is the title cut from the album, Critical Path by Joe Venegoni and Carl Weingarten.

UnRavelling Creativity w/ Dr. Bruce Miller and Jake Broder

Creativity is one of the most admired and universal human attributes, taking form across genres, ages, and levels of professionalism. Whether it contributes to an individual’s sense of flow and multimodal expression or inspires awe in those who witness the artistic output of others, creativity undeniably evokes—and amplifies—what makes us most human. From a neuroscientific perspective, creativity is a highly complex and multifaceted process, engaging numerous regions of the brain in dynamic interplay. Yet despite its universality, much about creativity remains a mystery. In this episode of the Dancing into Brain Health Podcast, we are joined by two individuals helping to illuminate that mystery: renowned behavioral neurologist Dr. Bruce Miller and award-winning actor and writer Jake Broder. Their conversation is brought together through the story of Anne Adams—a woman whose emergent artistic expression in the face of a progressive neurodegenerative condition radically reshaped how neuroscientists understand creativity in the brain. Through Anne’s journey, Dr. Miller and Jake Broder invite us to look beyond a deficit-based narrative of dementia and toward a more expansive view—challenging long-held assumptions about degeneration and revealing how shifts in neural networks can give rise to new forms of expression and meaning. Together, they take us on a journey through the intersection of neuroscience, art, and lived human experience, inviting us to reconsider what creativity is, where it lives in the brain, and how it can persist, transform, and even flourish in the face of profound change. Learn more about Dr. Bruce Miller: https://memory.ucsf.edu/people/bruce-miller [https://memory.ucsf.edu/people/bruce-miller] Learn more about Jake Broder: www.jakebroder.com [https://www.jakebroder.com/] https://www.gbhi.org/profiles/jake-broder [https://www.gbhi.org/profiles/jake-broder] Read and watch more: UnRavelled Play https://www.unravelledplay.com/ [https://www.unravelledplay.com/] Creativity & FTD: Past Present Future: The Story of Dr. Anne Adams and Maurice Ravel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-tCG6m79pk&t=1s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-tCG6m79pk&t=1s] ‘UnRavelling’ Stigma to Find Common Threads https://localnewspasadena.com/2025/unravelling-stigma-to-find-common-threads/ [https://localnewspasadena.com/2025/unravelling-stigma-to-find-common-threads/] Unravelling Boléro: progressive aphasia, transmodal creativity and the right posterior neocortex  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18057074/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18057074/] Art & Creativity: UCSF Memory and Aging Center https://memory.ucsf.edu/brain-health/art-creativity [https://memory.ucsf.edu/brain-health/art-creativity] Emergence of visual artistic creativity in frontotemporal dementia https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/alz.065202 [https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/alz.065202] Prevalence, Timing, and Network Localization of Emergent Visual Creativity in Frontotemporal Dementia https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36848111/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36848111/] Unraveling Bolero https://radiolab.org/podcast/unraveling-bolero [https://radiolab.org/podcast/unraveling-bolero] This episode of Dancing into Brain Health was edited and produced Magda Kaczmarska and Hilary Brown-Istrefi. The music for this show is the title cut from the album, Critical Path by Joe Venegoni and Carl Weingarten. Follow us on our website: https://dancestreamprojects.org/dancing-into-brain-health-podcast [https://dancestreamprojects.org/dancing-into-brain-health-podcast]