In this is both a reprise (a fancy word for “rerun”) and a major update of my earlier conversation with UCSF’s Adam Gazzaley. We discuss neuroscience, consiousness – and, the potential for specially-designed video games to fight Alzheimer’s disease (yes, really!)
A direct heir to Adam’s research is now up for final FDA approval as a treatment for ADHD – potentially providing millions of parents with a game-based alternative to medicating their kids. Autism is also in his sites. And his research first became prominent for blunting the awful effects of dementia. That work landed him on the cover of Nature magazine – which is to scientists what a mid-70s Rolling Stone cover was to classic rock guitarists.
Adam was a priceless resource to me as I researched the real science connected to my present-day science fiction novel After On. I should divulge that we became friends through that process, and that I’m now a minuscule shareholder in a company he created. I’m confident that that this didn’t bias my part of our interview, but do bear that in mind.
In addition to his research, Adam and I talk about the roots of consciousness – a matter of much speculation amongst neuroscientists. We also discuss the one New York City borough he hasn’t yet inhabited, an alphabet soup of modern brain scanning tools, and the science fiction tales that inspired him as a tot.
