Episode 248: Unlocking Consciousness: A Journey into the Grey Zone

In this episode, Jonathan Sackier is joined by Adrian Owen, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging at the University of Western Ontario. They explore Owen's groundbreaking research on consciousness in vegetative states, the ethical questions raised by his work, and the cutting-edge technology that has changed our understanding of the brain.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:46 – Taking one album on a desert island

04:03 – A groundbreaking discovery about vegetative states

06:58 – Owen's bestseller: 'Into the Gray Zone'

11:18 – Where is the border between life and death?

15:40 – Cutting-edge technologies for brain imaging

20:11 – Applications of fMRI and EEG

24:41 – Does brain-training work?

31:09 – Implications for life support and end-of-life care

36:00 – Owen's three wishes for healthcare