Dr. Mark D'Esposito: How to Optimize Cognitive Function & Brain Health

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Mark D'Esposito, M.D., a neurologist and professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. We discuss the brain mechanisms underlying cognition and the forms of memory required for focus, productivity, planning and achieving goals, and learning. We discuss neurochemicals such as dopamine and acetylcholine and how they can be leveraged to improve cognitive functioning. We also discuss concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease, and ways to restore or slow cognitive decline by using pharmacologic, lifestyle and behavioral protocols. This episode provides a modern understanding of cognition and memory and actionable tools to optimize brain health and function.

Thank you to our sponsors
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Dr. Mark D'Esposito
Academic profile: https://bit.ly/49wwPMo
Lab website: https://bit.ly/3I4Sxev
BrainHealth project: https://bit.ly/3SEiZ3w
Publications: https://bit.ly/3T4AH1J
X:   / mtdespo  

Journal Articles
Cognitive and attentional mechanisms in delay of gratification: https://bit.ly/49zpHPL
Inverted-U–Shaped Dopamine Actions on Human Working Memory and Cognitive Control: https://bit.ly/3UdfWBP
Cognitive Deficit Caused by Regional Depletion of Dopamine in Prefrontal Cortex of Rhesus Monkey: https://bit.ly/4bBqMI9
Clinical experience with the α2A-adrenoceptor agonist, guanfacine, and N-acetylcysteine for the treatment of cognitive deficits in “Long-COVID19”: https://bit.ly/42IuviW
Estrogen Shapes Dopamine-Dependent Cognitive Processes: Implications for Women's Health: https://bit.ly/42G4xwF
Ongoing dynamics in large-scale functional connectivity predict perception: https://bit.ly/3SMFT92

Other Resources
BrainHQ: https://bit.ly/3I6y5d6
The BrainHealth Project: https://bit.ly/3I591Dm
Neuroscouting: https://bit.ly/42IpZB8

Huberman Lab Episodes Mentioned
Nicotine's Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping: https://go.hubermanlab.com/GpyRhoQTYT
Tools to Enhance Working Memory & Attention: https://go.hubermanlab.com/s7LQP1bsYT
Dr. Matthew Walker: The Science & Practice of Perfecting Your Sleep: https://go.hubermanlab.com/psVAPrDqYT
How Psilocybin Can Rewire Our Brain, Its Therapeutic Benefits & Its Risks: https://go.hubermanlab.com/ggl7TvJuYT

People Mentioned
Brian Levine: Professor Dept. of Psychology, University of Toronto: https://bit.ly/49h05qz
Matthew Walker: Professor of Neuroscience & Psychology, UC Berkeley: https://bit.ly/3UK2Ags
Michael Merzenich: Professor Emeritus - Neuroscience, USCF: https://bit.ly/3T4rSoD
David Hubel and Torsten Wiesel: Nobel Prize (1981): https://bit.ly/3T6SPYQ
Emily Jacobs: Associate Professor of Psychology, UC Santa Barbara: https://bit.ly/3T0AaOa
Art Kramer: Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: https://bit.ly/48l4982
Eddie Chang: Professor of Neurological Surgery, UCSF: https://bit.ly/3SLsjmd
Karl Deisseroth: Professor and Psychiatrist, Stanford: https://stanford.io/49BQmuG
Sepideh Sadaghiani: Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: https://bit.ly/48CagoF

Timestamps
00:00:00 Dr. Mark D’Esposito
00:02:08 Sponsors: Maui Nui, Joovv & Eight Sleep
00:06:23 Brain & Frontal Lobes, Prefrontal Cortex, Executive Function
00:10:31 Frontal Lobe Development, Children
00:14:12 Rules, Context & Impulse Control; Learning & Goals
00:21:45 Focus, Improving Executive Function
00:26:04 Connections & Top-Down Signals
00:29:02 Sponsor: AG1
00:30:29 Frontal Lobe Injury; Emotional Regulation
00:37:26 Smartphones, Social Media
00:44:37 Working Memory, Dopamine
00:52:59 Sponsor: LMNT
00:54:22 Dopamine Levels & Working Memory, Cognitive Tasks, Genetics
01:00:03 Bromocriptine & Working Memory, Dopamine
01:06:21 Guanfacine, Neurotransmitter Levels, Pupil Dilation & Biomarker Tests
01:12:46 Bromocriptine, Olympics; Pharmacology & Cognitive Function, Adderall
01:19:27 Concussion, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
01:25:22 Sleep, TBI, Concussion & Executive Function; BrainHQ
01:31:57 Aging & Frontal Executive System; Brain Health
01:39:26 Tools: Brain Health & Boosting Executive Function, Books
01:47:26 Alzheimer’s Disease, Genetics, Pharmacology
01:51:48 Parkinson’s Disease, L-Dopa; Coping with Alzheimer’s; Nicotine
01:58:37 Estrogen & Dopamine, Cognition; Tool: Physical Exercise
02:04:43 Tool: Mindfulness Meditation & Executive Function
02:10:31 Brain Networks; Modularity
02:17:08 Modularity, Brain Indices
02:22:53 Psilocybin; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
02:30:16 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

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