PSYC2300 Week 2 Lecture Slides

PSYC2300 | PSYC6823 Cognitive Psychology Lecture 2: Cognitive Neuropsychology

Cognitive Science vs. Cognitive Neuroscience

• Cognitive Psychology & Neuroscience Relationship:

  • Mid-20th century quest involving disciplines like cognitive psychology, computer science, neuroscience, philosophy, linguistics, and anthropology.

  • Cognitive Science: A synthesis across these disciplines.

  • Cognitive Neuroscience: Focuses on the relationship between cognitive psychology and neuroscience.

Capgras Syndrome

• Patients can recognize loved ones but think they are impostors.

  • Related to facial recognition issues and cognitive/emotional appraisal.

  • Damage to the amygdala and prefrontal cortex (PFC) is often implicated.

Neurological Learnings from Capgras Syndrome

• Amygdala's Role:

  • Linked to emotional processing, feelings of familiarity, emotional memory, and decision-making.

• Importance of functional specialization in brain structures and connectivity between regions.

Neurological Anatomy and Functioning

• Three Main Structures:

  • Hindbrain: Top of spinal cord

  • Midbrain: Between pons and hypothalamus

  • Forebrain: Surrounds midbrain and most of hindbrain.

  • Cerebellum, Pons, Medulla: Key functions include coordination, regulating pain, and connecting forebrain to hindbrain.

Cerebral Cortex

• Divisions:

  • **Lobes: **

    • Frontal: Executive function and cognition

    • Parietal: Sensory information and proprioception

    • Temporal: Language

    • Occipital: Vision and visual perception

  • Folds divide the brain into different areas:

    • Longitudinal, Central, and Lateral fissures.

Key Subcortical Structures

• Thalamus: Sensory processing

• Hypothalamus: Biological needs

• Limbic System Components:

  • Amygdala: Emotion regulation

  • Hippocampus: Learning and memory processes.

Hemispheric Lateralization

• Organization: The brain has left and right hemispheres with contralateral control.

• Corpus Callosum: Largest commissure that connects the hemispheres.

• Evidence through split-brain studies shows specialized functions across hemispheres.

Sensory and Motor Areas

• Sensory Projection Areas: Receive sensory information.

• Motor Projection Areas: Send motor information; control movements contralaterally.

• Association Areas: Involve complex behaviors and higher functions within the cerebral cortex.

Neuron Structure

• Components of a Neuron:

  • Dendrites: Receive signals

  • Axon: Transmits signals to other neurons

  • Myelin Sheath: Insulates axons, speeding signal transmission.

Synaptic Transmission

• Synapse Structure:

  • Pre-synaptic neuron meets post-synaptic neuron across a synaptic cleft.

• Action Potential Trigger: Requires sufficient ion flow, adheres to the all-or-none law.

Brain Study Methods

• Patient Case Studies:

  • Example: Phineas Gage and H. M.

• Electrophysiology Methods:

  • Single-cell electrode recordings to monitor neuronal activity.

Neuropsychology and Structural Imaging

• Neuropsychology: Examines the relationship between brain structures and functions, often assessing cognitive abilities post-injury or decline.

• Structural Neuroimaging:

  • CT Scans: Series of x-rays to view abnormalities.

  • MRI Scans: Uses magnetic fields to create detailed 3D brain images.

Functional Imaging Techniques

• fMRI Scans: Detect changes in cerebral blood flow indicating neural activity.

• fNIRS: Monitors changes through optical absorption of light.

• PET Scans: Track biochemical changes in the brain by using a radioactive dye.

Electrical Recording Techniques

• EEG: Monitors electrical activity across the scalp; identifies states of consciousness.

• MEG: Records magnetic fields resulting from neural activity, used in both clinical and research settings.

Localisation of Function

• Different brain areas have specific functions; functional overlap exists.

• Combining different techniques provides more comprehensive insights.

Research on Cognitive Decline

• Studies indicate links between structural brain changes (e.g., hippocampal volume) and cognitive control processes.

• Cognitive Control: Essential for goal-directed behavior.

• Suggested Reading: Chapters 3 and 4.