Why Teens Tune Out: The Science Behind Selective Hearing - Neuroscientist Dr Lila Landowski speaks to host Andy Park on ABC RN Drive

This episode explores the intriguing phenomenon of selective hearing in teenagers, particularly focusing on why they may not respond to their mother's voice. Neuroscientist Dr Lila Landowski discusses research from Stanford University that examines brain activity in children and teenagers when listening to their mother's voice versus unfamiliar voices. The findings reveal significant differences in brain responses pre- and post-puberty, suggesting evolutionary reasons for these changes.

teenagers, selective hearing, neuroscience, brain activity, puberty, evolutionary psychology

• Teenagers often exhibit selective hearing, especially towards their mother's voice.
• Research from Stanford University used MRI to study brain activity in children and teenagers.
• Pre-puberty children show increased brain activity in reward and social value areas when hearing their mother's voice.
• Teenagers' brains respond more to unfamiliar voices than to their mother's voice.
• The use of made-up words in the study helps isolate the brain's response to voice rather than word meaning.
• The age of 13 is critical for changes in brain response to familiar versus unfamiliar voices.
• Evolutionary psychology suggests this change aids in independence and social learning.
• Hormonal changes during puberty contribute to shifts in brain activity and behavior.
• The desire to distance from parents during puberty is linked to survival and reproduction instincts.
• Caveman behavior parallels modern teenage behavior in terms of communication and social dynamics.

This is the extended version of an episode which aired live on the ABC Radio National Health Report.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/healthreport/improving-stroke-research/11515796

Summary

This conversation explores the personal experience of a stroke survivor, the complexities of stroke treatment, the challenges in biomedical research, and the ethical considerations surrounding animal testing. It highlights the need for improved research methodologies and the importance of recovery in the journey after a stroke.

Guests:
Adrian O'Malley
Stroke patient
Professor David Howells
Professor of Neuroscience and Brain Plasticity, University of Tasmania
Dr Alexandra Bannach-Brown
Research Fellow, Bond University

Consultant in Laboratory Animal Care and Management
Reporter:
Dr Lila Landowski. This episode was generated as part of Dr Lila Landowski's ABC Top 5 Scientist Media Residency.
Host:
James Bullen
Producer:
Joel Werner, Carl Smith, Diane Dean

Takeaways

Coordination issues can signal a stroke emergency.

Stroke can lead to lifelong disabilities without proper treatment.

TPA is the only drug for ischemic strokes but has strict eligibility criteria.

70% of patients may not benefit from TPA even if administered.

Research waste in biomedical science is a significant issue.

Improving drug testing methods can lead to better stroke treatments.

Animal models of stroke need to be more representative of human conditions.

The three R's of animal testing are replacement, reduction, and refinement.

Quality research foundations are crucial for effective treatment development.

Recovery from stroke is a collaborative effort involving family support.

Chapters

00:00 The Day That Changed Everything

02:45 Understanding Stroke and Its Impact

05:54 The Quest for Better Stroke Treatments

08:55 Improving Research Models for Stroke

10:22 The Importance of Collaboration in Recovery

Keywords: stroke, treatment, research, biomedical science, recovery, TPA, animal testing, research waste, neuroscience, health

The 2025 Australasian Neuroscience Society Conference landed in Dr Lila Landowski’s hometown of Hobart—and with so many brilliant researchers descending on the city, she couldn’t resist getting them on the mic to share what they’re working on.

This segment is a little different to the usual: you won't hear much from Lila, and instead, you’ll hear from five Australian neuroscientists, each giving a snapshot of their fascinating research.

1. Professor Jason Mattingly- President of the Australasian Neuroscience Society & University of Queensland/Queensland Brain Institute
2. Dr Carly Cullen- University of Queensland, Mater Research Institute.
3. Professor Anthony Hannan- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
4. Aelon Rahmani - Flinders University
5. Dr. Kirsten Coupland- University of Newcastle.

Summary

The conversation revolves around the Australasian Neuroscience Society Conference, highlighting various research topics in neuroscience, including sensory processing, myelin biology, anxiety disorders, and the role of cerebrospinal fluid in brain health. The speakers share their insights and experiences, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and discovery in the field of neuroscience.

Chapters

00:00 Dr Lila Landowski: The Conference Theme

02:46 Prof Jason Mattingley: Understanding Sensory Processing and Attention

05:56 Dr Carly Cullen, Mater Research Institute: Exploring Myelin and Brain Repair

08:45 Modeling Anxiety Disorders in Rodents

11:32 The Role of Immune Activation in Brain Health

14:43 Cerebrospinal Fluid: The Brain's Cleaning Mechanism

Keywords: neuroscience, brain research, attention, myelin, anxiety disorders, cerebrospinal fluid, Australasian Neuroscience Society, neurological conditions, mental health, scientific discovery