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COGS2000 week 1 notes

Week 1 reading: CHAPTER 1

1.2 figure (b) cognitivism

Cognitivism sought to explain the information processing that intervenes between stimuli and behaviour.

Miller - memory was not a passive representation of sensory stimuli, but an active recording of the information the stimuli carried out.

Cognitive science - unifies research on mental processes regardless of the specific topic, experimental approach, method or even discipline.

Leonardo da Vinci injected hot wax into the ventricular cavities which allowed him to make some of the earliest descriptions of those fluid filled structures.

Phrenology = localisation of function

Figure 1.5 mapping function in the human primary somatosensory cortex

Notes will be on the slides. ( Get the image )

Neural correlates of the brain regions correlates to aspects of cognition

Cognitive neuroscience seeks to create biologically grounded models of cognitive function, cognitive neuroscience models can inform and constrain prior cognitive science models and point out new directions for neuroscience research.

1.6 neuroscience techniques differ in their spatial and temporal resolution:

(FMRI) - functional magnetic resonance imaging

(EEG)- electroencephalography

(PET)- Position emission tomography

(TMS)- Transscranial magnetic resonance

Single neuron recording -

Neurological disroders

Lesion studies -

Assessments of behaviour

Summary

1 Cognitive science seeks to understand the information processing associated with functions like perception,m memory, and decision making

2 Neuroscience seeks to charactiersie the structure and function of the nervous system

3 Cogntive neuroscience is a new discipline that applies research methods from neuroscience to the functions and behaviours studied by cognitive scientists

4 Cognitive neruoscientiis nuse diverse research methods and experimental paradigms to develop models of metnal function and behaviour

Understanding Experimental Methods:

◦ EEG (Electroencephalogram): Measures electrical activity in the brain, providing excellent temporal resolution but limited spatial resolution. EEG is particularly useful in studying real-time cognitive processes such as attention and perceptual tasks.

◦ fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Offers detailed images of brain activity, with good spatial resolution but lower temporal resolution due to the hemodynamic response. fMRI data helps researchers understand which areas of the brain are activated during specific tasks or stimuli.

• Causal Methods:

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation): A non-invasive technique that can temporarily disrupt brain activity, allowing for cause-and-effect relationships to be studied. TMS can be used to test hypotheses about brain function by stimulating or inhibiting certain areas while participants perform tasks.

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Involves applying a small electrical current to the scalp to modulate neuronal activity, providing insights into functional connectivity. This method can enhance cognitive performance in specific areas, allowing for investigations into brain plasticity.

• Limitations: Ethical considerations in human studies include informed consent, potential psychological impact, and ensuring participant welfare throughout the experiments. It is crucial to address these ethical issues to maintain the integrity of research practices.

• Spatial vs. Temporal Resolution: Different methods offer varying insights into brain activity, crucial for selecting appropriate techniques based on research questions. Understanding these differences can influence the interpretation of cognitive processes in real-world contexts.

Brain Mechanisms:

• Occipital Lobe: Responsible for processing visual information, including color, light, and movement. This area receives signals from the eyes and translates them into the images we perceive. The occipital lobe is crucial for visual perception, allowing us to recognize shapes, faces, and movement within our environment.

• Superior Temporal Gyrus (STG): Plays a critical role in auditory processing, particularly in recognizing sounds and understanding spoken language. It serves as a hub for integrating sensory input and is instrumental in music processing and language comprehension, showcasing its importance in social communication.

• Wernicke's Area: Located in the left hemisphere (usually), this region is essential for language comprehension. It helps in the interpretation of spoken and written language, enabling meaningful communication. Damage to Wernicke's Area can lead to Wernicke's aphasia, characterized by fluent but nonsensical speech and difficulties in understanding language.

• Broca's Area: Also in the left hemisphere, it is crucial for language production and speech articulation. Damage to this area can lead to non-fluent aphasia, which affects the ability to produce language coherently. Patients may struggle to form complete sentences despite having clear thoughts.

• Frontal Lobe: Involved in higher cognitive functions such as decision-making and impulse control. The right inferior frontal gyrus, in particular, is linked to self-control and the inhibition of inappropriate behavior. This area plays a significant role in personality development and complex reasoning skills that guide social behavior.

Cerebral Cortex Layers

▪ Organized into distinct layers (6 layers typically identified).

▪ Layer 4 predominantly receives sensory information from the thalamus.

▪ Layer 5 features pyramidal neurons which are crucial for sending signals to other brain areas.

Common Acronyms and Techniques

• MRI: Structural and functional MRI to assess blood flow.

• EEG: Measures electrical activity in the brain.

• EMOTIV Headset: Used in labs for brain activity measurement.

• MEG: Measures magnetic fields from electrical activity in the brain.

• Single Cell Recording: Measures activity of individual neurons.

• TMS: Temporary disruption or activation measurements.

• Lesion Studies: Examines the impact of brain damage on function.

Sensitivity in Primary Somatosensory and Motor Cortex

• The primary somatosensory cortex is organized by body sensation sensitivity, where areas like the face and hands are more sensitive than others like the trunk or legs.

Importance of Blood Supply to the: The organization of blood flow through carotid arteries serves different brain regions according to their needs (e.g., middle cerebral artery supplies motor and sensorial functions).

◦ The Circle of Willis: Critical for cerebral blood supply; organization affects responses to blockages or strokes.

◦ Ventricles and Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): Serve as both protective and waste-removal systems for the brain

◦ Anterior Cerebral Artery: Supplies frontal lobes and motor cortex (specifically for legs).

◦ Middle Cerebral Artery: Supplies lateral surfaces of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes (important for face, arm, hand motor functions).

◦ Posterior Cerebral Artery: Supplies the occipital and temporal lobes.

Main Focus Areas:

◦ Time perception and neural correlates of consciousness.

◦ Exploration of consciousness's role in cognitive neuroscience, with discussions on various theories:

Integrated Information Theory (IIT): Proposes consciousness arises from information integration.

Global Neuronal Workspace Theory (GNW): Involves sensory cortices igniting local information to reach a global workspace of consciousness.

Attention Schema Theory: Suggests an internal model of attention influences awareness.

Patient Studies and Cognitive Awareness

Blindsight: The ability to respond to visual stimuli without conscious visual awareness.

The temporoparietal junction (TPJ): is implicated in social cognition and understanding attention.

Key structures

• Brainstem: The part of the brain that connects the brain to the spinal cord; controls basic life functions such as breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure.

• Central Sulcus: A prominent landmark that separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.

• Cerebellum: The part of the brain responsible for coordination, precision, and accurate timing of movement.

• Lateral Fissure: A deep groove that separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.

• Superior Temporal Gyrus: A region in the temporal lobe associated with processing auditory information.

• Superior Frontal Gyrus: Located in the frontal lobe, important for higher cognitive functions such as attention and impulse control.

• Middle Temporal Gyrus: Plays a role in memory and language processing.

• Middle Frontal Gyrus: Involved in attention and decision-making.

• Inferior Temporal Gyrus: Associated with visual processing and object recognition.

• Inferior Frontal Gyrus: Involved in language processing and production.

• Superior Parietal Gyrus: Responsible for sensory input and spatial awareness.

• Parieto-Occipital Sulcus: Separates the parietal lobe from the occipital lobe; contributes to visuospatial processing.

• Inferior Parietal Gyrus: Integrates sensory information and is involved in language and math processing.

• Precentral Gyrus (Motor Cortex): The primary motor area of the brain responsible for voluntary movements.

• Postcentral Gyrus (Somatosensory Cortex): The primary somatosensory area that processes tactile information and sensations from the body.

Internal Brain Structures

• Anterior Commissure: A bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres, playing a role in olfactory processing.

• Corpus Callosum: The largest white matter structure in the brain, facilitating communication between the left and right hemispheres.

• Midbrain: A part of the brainstem involved in reflexes, eye movement, and auditory processing.

• Medulla: The lower part of the brainstem that controls autonomic functions like breathing and heart rate.

• Fornix: A C-shaped bundle of fibers in the brain that acts as a major output tract for the hippocampus, important in memory formation.

• Pons: Acts as a relay station between the cerebellum and cerebral cortex; also involved in regulating breathing and sleep.

• Cerebellum: Also noted above, it coordinates voluntary movements and balance.

• Spinal Cord: The structure that carries messages between the brain and the body, also responsible for reflex actions.

• Thalamus: The brain’s relay station for sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.

• Hypothalamus: A small region of the brain essential for hormone production and regulation of body temperature, hunger, and sleep.

Ventricular System: Ventricular System: The brain has ventricles that circulate cerebrospinal fluid, showing different anatomical views, including the lateral and third ventricles.

• Lateral Ventricle: The largest of the brain's ventricles, it contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and is involved in its circulation.

• Frontal Horn of Lateral Ventricle: The front portion of the lateral ventricle, located in the frontal lobe.

• Temporal Horn of Lateral Ventricle: The part of the lateral ventricle found in the temporal lobe.

• Occipital Horn of Lateral Ventricle: The rear section of the lateral ventricle situated in the occipital lobe.

• Third Ventricle: A narrow, vertical cavity in the center of the brain that connects to the fourth ventricle.

• Cerebral Aqueduct: A channel connecting the third and fourth ventricles, allowing the flow of CSF.

• Fourth Ventricle: Located between the brainstem and cerebellum; it also contains CSF and connects to the central canal of the spinal cord.

Terminology to Meanings

• Proximal: Closer

• Contralateral: On the opposite side

• Ventral: Towards the belly area

• Caudal: Towards the tail