Lecture 1: Introduction to The Human Brain
Introduction
- Course: 913 - The Human Brain
- Instructor: Nancy Kamwisher
- Overview of the human brain and its functions
- Today's agenda:
- Introduction story
- Why, how, and what of studying the human brain
- Course mechanics and details
Story: Medical Incident
- A true story about a friend, Bob, with a medical emergency
- Themes: human mind, brain organization, resilience, privilege
- Incident: Bob collapsed, EMTs couldn't find immediate issues
- Key advice: Check Bob's brain
- Symptoms: Bob often got lost, navigational difficulties
- Discovery: Scan revealed a meningioma (non-cancerous tumor) affecting his navigation ability
- Surgery: Successful removal by a top neurosurgeon
Key Themes from the Story
- Brain structure and specificity: Different parts, different functions
- Brain organization reflects mental architecture
- Recovery from brain damage is limited in adults
- Various methods to study the brain: behavioral observations, anatomical and functional imaging
Why Study the Brain?
- Self-awareness: Understanding our identity and mind
- Limits of human knowledge
- Advancing AI: Insights from the brain inform algorithm development
- Greatest intellectual quest: Learning about the mind through the brain
How to Study the Brain
- Multiple levels: molecules, neurons, circuits, regions, networks
- Focus on the brain's relationship to the mind
- Key questions: Specialized machinery, information representation
- Methods: Cognitive science techniques, neuropsychology, functional MRI, EEG, and more
Course Content Overview
- Topics: Visual perception, recognition, number understanding, language, social cognition
- Focus on well-understood brain functions
- Exploration of unique human abilities
Course Mechanics
- No textbook: Use research articles
- Grading:
- Midterm: 25%
- Final: 25%
- Reading and writing assignments: Regular short papers
- Quizzes: Occasional checks on understanding
- Longer written assignment: Design an experiment
- Importance of reading scientific papers
Upcoming Topics
- Neuroanatomy basics and brain dissection
- High-level perception and navigation lectures
- Development of brain functions
- Unique human cognition topics: language, music, theory of mind
Study Tips
- Focus on understanding concepts, not just memorizing
- Engage with current research through scientific papers
- Be aware of the methods and limitations of cognitive neuroscience
- Collaboration and group work encouraged for deeper understanding
This lecture provided a comprehensive introduction to the course, highlighting the interconnectedness of brain structure and mental function, the importance of studying the brain, and the methods we will use to explore various cognitive processes.