Lecture Notes: The Human Brain

Introduction

• Professor: Nancy Camwisher
• Lecture Date: 9/13
• Overview of today’s agenda:
  • Brief story (10 minutes)
  • Discussion on the why, how, and what of studying the human brain
  • Course mechanics and details (syllabus)

Story Introduction

• A true story about a friend, Bob, and a medical situation.
• Themes highlighted:
  • Nature of the human mind
  • Organization of the human brain
  • Recovery after brain damage
  • Resilience, privilege, and expertise in society.

The Story of Bob

• Bob stayed over before a conference.
• Morning incident: Bob was found unresponsive.
• Emergency response:
  • EMTs arrived, checked vitals with no apparent problems.
  • Decided to drive to a nearby hospital instead of using an ambulance.
• Hospital experience:
  • Tests conducted but nothing was initially found.
  • Professor had a gut feeling to check Bob’s brain due to past worrying signs.

Signs and Concerns

• Noticed Bob’s navigational issues and disorientation over the years:
  • Lost during simple navigational tasks
  • Confusion about familiar routes
• Connection to possible early signs of Alzheimer’s.
• Key Insight: The mind can function with certain areas impaired while others remain unaffected.

Medical Findings

• Bob’s brain scan revealed a growth (lime-sized) affecting navigation areas of the brain.
• Discussion of research in navigating and memory:
  • Past research finding specialized areas in the brain for navigation.
• Bob’s tumor was identified as a meningioma, which is not cancerous but still serious.

Surgery and Recovery

• Bob underwent an 11-hour surgery to remove the growth.
• Post-surgery:
  • Remarkable recovery, back to daily activities quickly.
  • However, navigational abilities did not return.
• Use of GPS to navigate life now.

Key Takeaways from Bob’s Case

• Brain damage often leads to specific abilities being impaired, while others remain intact.
• Importance of understanding the separable functions of the brain.
• Main Themes Discussed:
  • Structure of the brain: Distinct regions serve different functions.
  • Specificity of brain functions: Some areas perform specialized tasks.
  • Implications for studying cognitive science: Understanding relationships between brain and mind.

Why Study the Brain?

• Know Thyself: Understanding the brain is crucial for grasping personal identity.
• Limits of Human Knowledge: Exploring cognitive capacities informs our understanding of knowledge.
• Advancing AI: Insights from brain function can inform artificial intelligence development.
• Greatest Intellectual Quest: Understanding the brain and mind represents a significant human endeavor.

How We Will Study the Brain

• Multiple levels of organization to understand:
  • Molecules, neurons, circuits, and entire regions.
• Focus on how brain mechanisms give rise to mental functions.
• Methods include:
  • Neuropsychology, functional MRI, EEG, etc.

Course Structure and Content

• Topics covered include:
  • High-level vision and perception
  • Understanding language and communication
  • Navigational skills and their relation to brain regions.
• Guest lectures and hands-on experiences like brain dissection.
• Emphasis on understanding current research and methodological approaches.

Course Mechanics

• Grading Breakdown:
  • Midterm and final (25% each)
  • Reading and writing assignments (short responses)
• Assignments:
  • Understanding and analyzing scientific papers is a major focus.
• Scheduled quizzes at the end of classes for material comprehension.

Closing Thoughts

• Emphasized the importance of engaging with current literature in the field.
• Encouraged a proactive approach to understanding brain and cognitive functions.
• Next Class: Brief neuroanatomy overview, followed by a brain dissection demonstration.