Understanding the Human Brain and Its Functions

Aug 22, 2024

Lecture Notes: The Human Brain Course

Introduction

  • Instructor: Nancy Camwisher
  • Focus: Structure and function of the human brain, organization, and recovery after brain damage.

Agenda

  1. Brief story about a personal experience related to the brain.
  2. Discuss the importance of studying the human brain (why, how, and what).
  3. Course mechanics and grading details.

Story Overview

  • Main Character: Bob (a close friend of Nancy)
  • Setting: Bob stays at Nancy's house before a conference.
  • Incident: Bob collapses, leading to a series of medical events that uncover a significant brain issue.
    • Nancy hears a crash and finds Bob on the floor.
    • EMTs arrive, but initial tests show nothing wrong.
    • Nancy has a premonition to check Bob's brain due to past concerns about his navigation skills.

Signs Noticed Before Incident

  • Bob displayed navigational deficits.
  • Example scenarios where Bob struggled with familiar routes.
  • Nancy ignored concerns due to Bob's otherwise normal functioning.

Medical Journey

  • Bob is taken to the ER where initial tests reveal nothing.
  • Later, Bob receives news of a brain tumor (meningioma) discovered on scans.
  • The tumor's growth rate indicated it was not cancerous, but needed removal.
  • Surgery: An 11-hour operation was successful due to a well-connected neurosurgeon.

Aftermath

  • Bob recovers physically but still faces navigational challenges.
  • Uses technology (iPhone GPS) to navigate effectively.
  • Highlights the brain's specialization: specific abilities can be lost without affecting overall intelligence.

Themes from the Story

  1. Structure and Organization of the Brain: Different brain areas have specialized functions.
  2. Recovery from Brain Damage: Some abilities may not recover post-injury.
  3. Research and Discovery: Importance of rigorous scientific inquiry.
  4. Privilege and Access: Access to medical expertise influences outcomes.
  5. Understanding Mental Abilities: Different mental abilities can be dissociated within the brain.

Why Study the Brain?

  1. Know Thyself: Understanding the brain helps in comprehending human identity and knowledge.
  2. Limits of Human Knowledge: Exploring how the brain constrains our understanding.
  3. Advancing AI: Insights from brain functioning can inform artificial intelligence development.
  4. Greatest Intellectual Quest: Exploring the brain represents a core pursuit of human knowledge.

How We Will Study the Brain

  • Focus on how the brain gives rise to the mind.
  • Explore mental functions (perception, cognition, etc.) and their neural bases.
  • Use various methods:
    • Psychophysics: Low-tech approaches to understand perception.
    • Neuropsychology: Studying patients with brain damage.
    • Imaging Techniques: fMRI, EEG, etc.

Course Structure

  • Topics include:
    • High-level vision
    • Scene perception and navigation
    • Understanding language
    • Cognitive processes related to number and decision-making.
  • Emphasis on reading and understanding current scientific papers.

Grading Breakdown

  • Midterm: 25%
  • Final: 25%
  • Weekly reading assignments with short written responses.
  • Quizzes to encourage engagement with the material and readings.

Final Thoughts

  • Importance of engaging with the material deeply, understanding scientific papers, and being able to discuss and critique findings.

Next Steps

  • Prepare for the next lecture covering basic neuroanatomy.
  • First written assignment due on February 12th.