Exploring the Human Brain and Its Functions

Sep 15, 2024

Lecture Notes: Introduction to the Human Brain

Introduction

  • Instructor: Nancy Kanwisher
  • Course: 913 - The Human Brain
  • Overview of Lecture Agenda:
    • Brief story (10 minutes)
    • Discussion on why, how, and what of studying the human brain
    • Course mechanics and grading details

Story Segment

  • True Story About a Friend ("Bob")
    • Bob stayed over before a conference.
    • Morning crash: Bob found on the floor, unresponsive.
    • Emergency services called; Bob regains consciousness but is confused.
    • EMTs find no immediate problem; Bob taken to ER.
    • Initial tests yield no results.

Key Observations

  • Nancy's prior concerns about Bob's navigation issues.
    • Instances of Bob getting lost or confused about directions.
    • Cognitive dissonance: Bob seemed fine otherwise (intelligent, successful).
  • Suggestion to check Bob's brain made during ER visit.

Diagnostic Revelation

  • Later that evening, Bob's tests reveal a tumor (size of a lime) in his brain.
  • Tumor location near the parahippocampal place area, related to navigation.
    • Nancy's connection to her own research in brain regions.

Themes from the Story

  1. Structure of the Brain
    • Specific regions perform distinct functions.
    • Loss of specific mental abilities rather than overall decline in intelligence (IQ).
  2. Brain Organization
    • Different areas correspond to different cognitive processes.
  3. Brain Function and Recovery
    • Recovery potential varies by age and extent of damage.
    • Adult brains less plastic compared to children.

Why Study the Brain?

  1. Know Thyself
    • The brain is integral to identity.
  2. Limits of Human Knowledge
    • Understanding cognitive limits and possibilities.
  3. Advancements in AI
    • Insights from brain studies can inform AI development.
  4. Intellectual Quest
    • Understanding the brain is one of the greatest scientific challenges.

How to Study the Brain

  • Multiple levels of analysis:
    • Molecules, neurons, circuits, brain regions, networks.
  • Course focus: Understanding how the brain gives rise to the mind.
    • Start with mental functions, then relate these to brain bases.
    • Explore specialized machinery in the brain for cognitive functions.

Methods of Study

  • Cognitive Science Methods
    • Psychophysics, perceptual illusions, neuropsychology, fMRI, EEG, etc.
  • Current Understanding
    • Significant progress in understanding brain organization since 1990.

Course Logistics

  • Grading:
    • Midterm (25%), Final (25%), Reading/writing assignments (due each week).
  • Quizzes at the end of class; aimed to gauge understanding, not obscure facts.
  • Readings from current research papers, not textbooks.

Course Goals

  • Understand big questions in cognitive neuroscience.
  • Read and comprehend modern research papers.
  • Explore various areas of cognition and their brain bases (vision, navigation, language, etc.).

Upcoming Topics

  • Next lecture to cover basic neuroanatomy.
  • Planned dissection of a human brain in-class with expert guidance.
  • Subsequent lectures on high-level vision, navigation, number cognition, language, etc.

Conclusion

  • Importance of understanding the brain's organization and its impact on cognitive functions.
  • Addressing student questions and clarifying future course structure.

Next Class

  • Date: [Insert Next Class Date]
  • Reminder: Prepare for the reading and assignments as per syllabus.