New York University neuroscientist Joseph LeDoux and Lenny Kaye, the lead guitarist of the Patti Smith Band, will discuss how fear is registered in the brain on Monday, April 19, 7 p.m., at the Rubin Museum of Art (150 W. 17th Street at 7th Avenue). The event—“How Do We Get Highly Strung?”—will include a presentation of scientific research and a musical performance.

Reporters interested in attending the sold-out event must contact Alanna Schindewolf, the Rubin Museum’s media relations coordinator, at 212.620.5000, ext. 335, or aschindewolf@rmanyc.org.

LeDoux, director of NYU’s Conte Center for the Neuroscience of Fear and Anxiety, is part of a band, the Amygdaloids, comprised of NYU scientists. One of the band’s objectives is to increase awareness of mental health issues through promotion of research via music. It has released two CDs: “Heavy Mental” and “Theory of My Mind.” LeDoux’s published works include The Emotional Brain: The Mysterious Underpinnings of Emotional Life and Synaptic Self: How Our Brains Become Who We Are.

Kaye, a musician, writer, and record producer, has been a guitarist for Patti Smith since her band's inception more than thirty years ago. The co-author of Waylon, the life story of Waylon Jennings, Kaye has worked in the studio with such artists as Suzanne Vega, Jim Carroll, Soul Asylum, Kristen Hersh, and Allen Ginsberg.