Notes on Lecture: The Human Brain (913)

Introduction

• Instructor: Nancy Kamwisher
• Class agenda:
  • Brief story (10 minutes)
  • Discussion on why, how, and what of studying the human brain
  • Course mechanics and grading details

Story Introduction

• Personal anecdote that foreshadows themes for the course
• Themes include:
  • Nature of the human mind
  • Brain organization
  • Recovery after brain damage
  • Resilience, privilege, knowledge, and expertise

The Story of Bob

• Background on Bob:
  • Close friend of the instructor
  • Visited Cambridge for a conference
• Incident:
  • Bob was found unresponsive on the floor after an apparent fall.
  • Initially appeared fine but was taken to the ER for evaluation.

Emergency Room Experience

• EMTs arrived quickly, couldn't find anything wrong initially.
• Instructor insisted on further tests, recalling previous concerns about Bob's navigation issues.
• ER doctor downplayed concerns, citing it as a potential heart issue.

Discovery of Brain Issue

• Later that evening, Bob called to say something was found in his brain (tumor).
• Instructor accessed previous brain scans from her lab, discovering a growth that had been present for years.
• The growth (meningioma) was located near the parahippocampal place area, related to navigation.
  • Key Point: Different brain regions have specific functions and issues.

Brain Function and Recovery

• Navigation Skills:
  • Despite recovery from surgery, Bob struggled with navigation, relying on GPS.
  • Remained articulate and able to recall general knowledge but lost specific spatial navigation abilities.
• Key Takeaway: Some brain functions, when damaged, do not fully recover post-injury, especially in adults.

Themes from the Story

1. Brain Structure and Functionality:
   • The brain is organized, with different parts performing specific functions.
   • Damage to one part can lead to the loss of particular skills without affecting overall intelligence.
2. Specificity of Brain Parts:
   • Some regions have highly specific functions (e.g., navigation).
3. Understanding the Mind through the Brain:
   • Studying the brain can help us understand the mind and its capabilities.
4. Impact of Age on Recovery:
   • Younger brains may recover better from damage than adult brains.
5. Diverse Methods for Studying the Brain:
   • Behavioral observations, anatomical images, functional imaging, etc.

Course Goals

1. To Know Thyself:
   • Understanding the brain is essential to understanding ourselves.
2. Understanding Limits of Knowledge:
   • What can we know based on how our brains work?
3. Advancing AI:
   • Insights from studying human cognition can inform AI development.
4. Greatest Intellectual Quest:
   • Understanding the human brain is presented as a premier intellectual challenge.

Methods of Study

• Focus on how the brain gives rise to the mind, not just biological properties.
• Explore mental functions like perception, language, and navigation, linking these to brain mechanisms.
• Methods include:
  • Neuropsychological studies
  • Functional MRI (fMRI)
  • Electroencephalography (EEG)
  • Diffusion tractography

Course Structure and Topics

• Will cover key mental functions with established brain bases:
  • Visual perception
  • Recognition of faces, places, and words
  • Navigation
  • Understanding numbers and language
  • Social cognition (understanding others)
• Emphasis on current research and methodologies in cognitive neuroscience.

Assessments and Grading

• Midterm and final exams (25% each)
• Reading and writing assignments (short written responses to papers)
• Quizzes to ensure understanding of material
• Longer written assignment at the end where students design their own experiment.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to engage with the material actively and seek understanding.
• Reminder to keep up with readings and participate in discussions.