People Behind the Science Podcast Stories from Scientists about Science, Life, Research, and Science Careers

797: Examining How Our Brains Make Decisions About Investing Effort and the Impacts of Mental Illness - Dr. Michael Treadway

Jan 27, 2025
Dr. Michael Treadway, Winship Distinguished Research Professor in Psychology at Emory University, dives into the brain's decision-making processes regarding effort and mental illness. He discusses the impact of major depression on motivation, revealing how personal experiences, like card games with family, shape our choices. The conversation covers cutting-edge research linking inflammation to motivational deficits in depression and the importance of mentorship in science. Treadway shares his journey through both successes and setbacks, emphasizing resilience and the search for meaning in both research and life.
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