Cognitive Neuroscience Notes

Cognitive Neuroscience

Links the brain and aspects of the nervous system to cognitive processing and behavior. It investigates how brain activity relates to mental functions such as thinking, memory, perception, and language.

The brain controls thoughts, emotions, and motivations. Different brain regions are associated with specific cognitive functions, and neural networks contribute to complex behaviors.

Brain Disorders

Types of Brain Disorders

  • Stroke

  • Brain Tumors

  • Head Injuries

Stroke

Affects the arteries leading to and within the brain.

Description:

A vascular disorder caused by the sudden disruption of blood flow to the brain, which can lead to cell death. Strokes can be ischemic, caused by blockage in blood vessels, or hemorrhagic, caused by bleeding.

Symptoms of Stroke:

  • Trouble speaking and understanding language, often manifesting as slurred speech or inability to find words.

  • Numbness, weakness, or paralysis in the face, arm, or leg, typically on one side of the body.

  • Problems with vision in one or both eyes, including blurred or double vision.

  • Sudden headache, often described as the worst headache of one’s life.

  • Difficulty walking, including loss of balance or coordination.

Brain Tumors

Definition:

A growth of cells in the brain or near it that affects cognitive functioning, ranging from benign to malignant tumors.

Types:

  • Primary Brain Tumors: Start in the brain itself; examples include gliomas and meningiomas.

  • Secondary Brain Tumors: Begin elsewhere in the body (e.g., lungs or breast) and metastasize to the brain.

  • Benign Tumors: Non-cancerous tumors that are typically removable and generally do not grow back.

  • Malignant Tumors: Contain cancer cells and can invade surrounding tissue, often requiring aggressive treatment including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Symptoms of Brain Tumors:

  • Headaches that are usually worse in the morning or worsen over time.

  • Vomiting without nausea, often due to increased intracranial pressure.

  • Changes in speech, vision, or hearing that may develop gradually.

  • Balance problems, potentially leading to falls.

  • Changes in mood, personality, or concentration, indicating alterations in cognitive abilities.

  • Memory issues, including short-term memory loss.

  • Muscle jerking or twitching is common in seizure activity.

  • Numbness or tingling in limbs; this can be a sign of neurological impact based on tumor location.

Head Injuries

Types:

  • Closed Head Injuries: The skull remains intact; brain damage occurs due to acceleration or deceleration forces.

  • Open Head Injuries: The skull is penetrated (e.g., by a bullet or sharp object), often leading to direct brain damage.

Description:

Head injuries range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries that can lead to long-term cognitive dysfunction.

Symptoms of Head Injuries:

  • Unconsciousness, which may range from a brief loss of consciousness to coma.

  • Abnormal breathing patterns indicate potential brain stem injury.

  • Serious wounds or fractures that require immediate medical attention.

  • Bleeding or clear fluid from the nose, ear, or mouth, indicating possible cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

  • Speech or vision disturbances, representing potential cranial nerve involvement.

  • Unequal pupils, indicating possible increased intracranial pressure.

  • Weakness or paralysis, pointing to motor function impairment.

  • Dizziness, which may accompany balance issues.

  • Neck pain or stiffness, potentially indicating associated spinal injuries.

  • Seizures, reflecting serious brain trauma or irritation.

  • Repeated vomiting may signal increased pressure or concussion.

  • Loss of bladder or bowel control, indicating severe injury or dysfunction.

General Information on Brain Damage

The causes for brain damage are varied, including trauma, stroke, tumors, and degenerative diseases. It is essential to treat brain damage quickly by medical specialists to limit the long-term impact. Neuropsychologists assist with diagnostic assessments, while rehabilitation psychologists help improve psychological functioning and cognitive recovery post-injury or disorder.

Intelligence and Neuroscience

Brain Size and Intelligence

Brain size does not correlate with intelligence levels, as many studies show individuals with relatively smaller brains can possess high intelligence.

Neurons and Intelligence

Human intelligence relies on efficient neural processing in the brain. Neurons send signals enabling all bodily functions, including cognition, and the strength and efficiency of these connections can greatly affect cognitive abilities.

Brain Metabolism

Refers to the utilization of glucose and other substrates for energy in the brain. Smarter brains show less glucose metabolism during problem-solving tasks, indicating efficiency as proposed by studies (Haier et al., 1992; Haier & Jung, 2007).

Biological Bases of Intelligence

Learning from experience, goal-setting, and planning are critical components for the development of intelligence. The ability to attend to relevant stimuli while suppressing distractions is vital for effective cognitive functioning.

P-FIT Theory of Intelligence

Parieto-Frontal Integration Theory (P-FIT) links intelligence to specific brain structures in the parietal and frontal lobes.

  • Parietal Lobe: Crucial for sensory perception, integration, and processing information from varied sensory channels.

  • Frontal Lobe: Responsible for controlling high-level cognitive skills such as reasoning, problem-solving, and motor functions. This area also plays a major role in decision-making and social behavior, linking intelligence with emotional regulation and executive functions.