Radiolab: Vertigogo – Episode Summary

Radiolab, hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser, delves into the intricate interplay between the human brain and our perceptions of reality. In the episode titled "Vertigogo," released on February 7, 2025, the show explores the phenomenon of vertigo through two compelling narratives—one personal and scientific, the other a literary exploration.

1. Liza Schoenfeld's Ordeal: When Science Meets the Self

[01:01] The episode opens with Lulu introducing Liza Schoenfeld, a research technician at the Gladstone Institute at the University of California, San Francisco. As a budding neuroscientist, Liza is immersed in the study of the basal ganglia—a pivotal brain region responsible for controlling movement.

[02:15] Liza shares her early career aspirations, applying to prestigious graduate programs at institutions like the University of Washington and UC San Diego. Her passion for neuroscience is palpable as she discusses her work with optogenetics—a groundbreaking technology that allows precise control over neuronal activity using light.

[03:20] Through her research, Liza explains how scientists can manipulate the basal ganglia in mice, effectively "puppeteering" their movements with lasers. This innovative approach offers profound insights into motor control and neurological disorders.

[07:02] However, Liza's journey takes an unexpected turn when she experiences severe nausea from a common anti-nausea medication, Compazine. "[...] the drug had been doing to her pretty much what she'd been doing to those mice," Robert Krulwich remarks at [11:14]. This side effect induces acute dystonia—a condition causing involuntary muscle contractions—mirroring the very mechanisms she studies in her lab.

[10:21] Amid a pivotal graduate interview, Liza's uncontrollable facial and neck movements bewilder both her and the interviewers. "[...] I couldn't stop it. I look surprised at everything I'm saying," Liza recounts at [08:22]. Despite the chaos, she manages to navigate the interview, though the experience leaves her unanswered questions about her body's rebellion against her scientific understanding.

[12:14] Emergency intervention with Benadryl swiftly alleviates her symptoms, restoring control over her basal ganglia. Reflecting on her ordeal, Liza expresses profound empathy for her lab mice, now seeing them through the lens of personal vulnerability. "[...] I just really empathize with them," she states at [12:33].

Ultimately, Liza's perseverance pays off as she secures a place as a PhD candidate at the University of Washington, armed with firsthand experience of the delicate balance within the human brain.

2. Rosemary Morton's Descent: A Literary Voyage into Vertigo

Transitioning from personal experience to literary narrative, Radiolab presents an evocative essay by Burton Ruscha, brought to life by actress Hope Davis. [17:00] The story chronicles Rosemary Morton's harrowing battle with vertigo, a condition rooted in labyrinthitis—"[...] an inflammation of the inner ear," Jad Abumrad explains at [26:45].

[17:06] Rosemary's journey begins innocuously on a quiet evening, disrupted by unexplained tremors and movements that leave her questioning her reality. As these sensations intensify, they morph into vivid distortions of space and self, blurring the lines between perception and physicality.

[19:35] Over months, Rosemary experiences an escalating series of disorienting events: floors wobble, walls tilt, and her body feels amorphous, as if influenced by external gravitational forces. "[...] I was almost at the end of the passage when I felt the movement change," she narrates, capturing the terror and confusion that grip her daily existence.

[21:40] Despite consulting numerous specialists, Rosemary receives no definitive diagnosis—"Normal. Essentially normal," the doctors assure her at [21:40]. This dismissal only deepens her anxiety, leading to an existential crisis marked by an urgent obsession with life's fleeting moments and sensory experiences.

[27:08] The narrative crescendos as Rosemary confronts the cumulative impact of her condition, culminating in an inexplicable recovery. "She must be feeling much better," her husband observes at [28:13], signaling a mysterious end to her vertiginous ordeal without clear explanation.

Ruscha's essay, rich with psychological and physiological exploration, underscores the enigmatic nature of vertigo—both a medical condition and a profound personal experience.

Conclusion: The Unseen Depths of Vertigo

Vertigogo masterfully intertwines scientific inquiry with human experience, revealing how deeply our brains influence our perception of the world. Through Liza Schoenfeld's scientific challenges and Rosemary Morton's literary voyage, Radiolab illuminates vertigo's multifaceted impact—both as a neurological condition and as a metaphor for internal disarray.

As Liza poignantly states, "[...] I'm still working with those mice. [...] I just really empathize with them," highlighting the delicate interplay between scientific exploration and personal empathy. Meanwhile, Rosemary's story serves as a haunting reminder of the brain's profound influence over reality, where "Some things just don't have explanations," reflecting the mysteries that continue to captivate and confound us.

Radiolab's innovative sound design and investigative storytelling invite listeners to ponder the intricate mechanisms of the brain, urging a deeper understanding of the invisible forces that shape our reality.

Notable Quotes:

• Liza Schoenfeld [08:22]: "I couldn't stop it. I look surprised at everything I'm saying."

• Robert Krulwich [11:14]: "The drug had been doing to her pretty much what she'd been doing to those mice."

• Rosemary Morton [26:40]: "My trouble was a disturbance of the internal ear called labyrinthitis."

• Rosemary Morton [27:44]: "It's impossible to say exactly when it all ended, but I think it was Frank who really sensed at first."

Radiolab continues to push the boundaries of storytelling and sound design, offering listeners an immersive exploration into the complexities of the human brain and beyond.