Lecture Notes: The Human Brain

Introduction

• Instructor: Nancy Camwisher
• Course Focus: Understanding the human brain and its functions.
• Agenda for Lecture:
  • Brief story (about 10 minutes).
  • Discuss the why, how, and what of studying the human brain.
  • Course mechanics, details, and grading allocation.

Story Overview

• Personal Story: A friend's medical incident (Bob).
  • Bob had alarming symptoms leading to a hospital visit.
  • Initial tests found nothing wrong; later, brain damage was discovered.
  • This incident highlights themes of the course: brain structure, function, recovery from brain damage, and resilience.

Key Themes in the Story

• Human Mind: The story illustrates the complexities of human cognition.
• Brain Organization: Specific areas of the brain serve different functions.
• Recovery Post-Damage: Recovery may vary depending on the type of damage and age of onset.

Why Study the Brain?

1. Self-Understanding: The brain is central to identity and function.
   • The brain is not just another organ; it's fundamental to who we are.
2. Limitations of Knowledge: Understanding the brain helps evaluate the limits of human cognition and knowledge.
3. Advancing AI: Insights from brain study can inform AI development.
4. Intellectual Quest: Understanding the brain is viewed as the greatest intellectual challenge of all time.

How to Study the Brain

• Levels of Organization:
  • Molecules, neurons, circuits, brain regions, and networks.
• Main Focus of Course: How the brain gives rise to the mind.
• Methods Used:
  • Cognitive science techniques (psychophysics, perceptual illusions).
  • Neuropsychology (studying patients with brain injuries).
  • Neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, EEG, MEG).

Mental Functions to Cover

• Topics of Interest:
  • Visual perception (color, shape, motion).
  • Recognition (faces, places, objects).
  • Understanding language and music.
  • Cognition-related topics (number understanding, navigation).

Course Mechanics

• Grading Breakdown:
  • Midterm: 25%
  • Final Exam: 25%
  • Reading and written assignments: Regular deadlines, roughly 2 papers weekly.
• Assignments:
  • Written responses to readings.
  • Design an experiment paper due at the end of the course.
• Integration of Topics:
  • Cover various cognitive neuroscience methods and theories.

Important Themes for Understanding the Brain

1. Structure and Function: Different brain regions specialize in specific functions.
2. Specificity of Abilities: Damage can lead to loss of specific mental functions without impacting overall intelligence.
3. Plasticity: Recovery and adaptation differ across ages and types of damage.

Course Outline

1. Initial Lectures:
   • Neuroanatomy overview.
   • In-depth dissection session with a noted neuroscientist.
2. Vision and Perception:
   • Focus on high-level vision and associated methods.
3. Navigation and Scene Perception:
   • Explore navigation through cognitive and neural perspectives.
4. Cognitive Development:
   • Examine brain wiring and learning.
5. Special Cognitive Functions:
   • Discuss language, theory of mind, and other advanced cognitive processes.

Tips for Reading Scientific Papers

• Approach to Reading:
  • Identify the main questions in the abstract.
  • Understand the methods, findings, and interpretations.
  • Use a structured approach to gain insights from research articles.
  • Focus on understanding rather than memorization.

Conclusion

• Emphasize the importance of understanding both the brain's physical structure and its relationship to cognitive functions for a comprehensive view of human cognition.