Study Notes for Psychology 201: Brain, Cognition, and Behavior Lecture 3

Introduction

• Instructor: Bart Allenbrook
• Course: Psychology 201, Brain, Cognition, and Behavior
• Transition from previous course (Psychology 233, Brain and Behavior) to include cognition.

Learning Objectives

• Key focus: Understand the fundamental differences of the human brain compared to other organs.
• Importance of the brain's capacity for constant change (neuroplasticity).
• Every brain is unique due to experiences and biological changes throughout life.

The Dynamic Nature of the Brain

• Unlike organs such as the heart or liver that remain relatively unchanged post-development, the brain continuously adapts and evolves.
• Personal conviction of the instructor: After each class, students' brains will have changed due to the information learned.
• Resulting differences in perception: Each person's interpretation of the world is influenced by their unique experiences.

Understanding Perception Through Examples

• Activity involving a video:
    - Students were asked to count how many balls fell into a spot.
    - Answer provided: 10 balls.
    - Additional observations:
      - Appearance of a ghost.
      - Background color change from blue to green.
      - Shape change from a circle to an octagon.
    - Discussion on selective attention and perception based on focus.
• The brain's adaptability was illustrated as students re-examined the video and identified missed elements.

Instructor Background

• Profile: Youngest of five siblings, originally from the Netherlands.
• Academic history: Studied chemistry; pivoted to neuroscience due to enthusiasm sparked during master’s studies, particularly regarding neurotransmitters.
• Current position: Head of School of Psychological Sciences at Victoria University.

Research Focus

• Name of research group: NEST (Neuroplasticity in Environment and Social Trajectories).
    - Major aim: Understanding brain flexibility and neuroplasticity.
• Interest in the effects of psychedelic drugs on brain changes:
    - Potential for single-dose treatment impacting anxiety and depression for extended periods (up to six months).
• Current projects: Study on adolescent brain development (ABCD study) analyzing data from 11,000 children aged 9 to 23.
    - Focus of research includes:
      - Structural and functional MRI scans
      - Cognitive tests and questionnaires.
      - Attention development correlated with screen time and sleep patterns.

Initial Experiments and Interactive Activities

• Demonstration involved students recording observations from a visual puzzle based on individual perceptions of a painting.
• Engagement through shared findings with peers, highlighting variations in attention and experience.

Neuroscience Fundamentals

• Brain Structure Overview
    - Types of brain sections:
      - Horizontal section
      - Sagittal section
      - Coronal section
    - Features to be discussed in detail later include:
      - Corpus callosum, cerebellum, cortex.
• Discussion on the complexity of neuron interactions:
    - Number of neurons in the human brain estimated at approximately $87 imes10^9$.
    - Importance of neuron connections: On average, each neuron connects to about $10,000$ other neurons.

Neuroplasticity

• Explanation of how experiences and environmental factors can change the brain:
      - Prenatal influences (maternal health) and postnatal factors contribute to brain development.
• Examples of adverse influences:
    - Maternal infections increasing risks for conditions like autism, depression, and schizophrenia (rebuttal to vaccinating children misconceptions).

Case Study on Neuroplasticity

• Presentation of a case involving a man with an unusually small brain:
    - Despite this, he led a normal life, emphasizing brain flexibility and adaptability.
• Overview of flatworms as a model for studying neuroplasticity:
    - Flatworms can regenerate amputated parts, including new brain formation.
    - Observational studies on memory retention despite brain regeneration.

Research on Cognitive Health and Body Interactions

• Discussion on how the brain is interconnected with overall bodily health (e.g., gut-brain connection).
• Reference to a study showing that moisturizing skin may impact cognitive function due to skin protecting underlying tissues from infections that can cause cognitive decline in the elderly.

Conclusion and Future Directions

• Aim to explore the brain's complexity throughout the course, including genetics, neuroplasticity, and how to better support brain health.
• Encouragement for student engagement and inquiry throughout the course duration.