Cognitive Neuroscience is the Scientific study of brain/neurological
structures, mechanisms, processes, chemistry and understanding how
these aspects of the brain are responsible for certain
cognitive/mental/thinking processes. Modern scanning techniques such as
fMRI are allowing for ever-more detailed analyses of brain areas and
combined with other experimental techniques is allowing for an
unprecedented understanding of the links between brain function and
behaviour.
Cognitive Neuroscience has many practical applications including:
Use of scanning/imaging techniques eg to locate different types of
memory in different areas of the brain leading to treatment for
memory problems
Use of scanning/imaging techniques to study mental processing
patients with depression or OCD or in children with autism or
dyslexia
Use of imaging techniques and angiography to study the effects of
normal ageing on the brain or to observe the effects of stroke on the
brain
Studies:
o Memory & Navigation: Maguire et al. (2000) found increased gray
matter in the posterior hippocampus of taxi drivers.
o Decision Making: Raine et al. (1997) used PET scans to show how
impulsive murderers under-utilize their prefrontal cortex.
o Tulving: LTM types – eg procedural memories in cerebellum,
episodic and semantic in different parts of the pre frontal cortex
Evaluation
Scientific Credibility: It uses highly controlled and rigorous methods, such
as PET and fMRI scans, to generate objective, empirical data rather than
relying solely on inference.
Localized Functionality: It has successfully mapped specific mental
processes to brain areas, such as linking the parahippocampal gyrus with
OCD and the prefrontal cortex to episodic memory.
Practical Applications: The field has been instrumental in medical
diagnostics, including identifying brain areas associated with Alzheimer's
disease and developing treatments.
structures, mechanisms, processes, chemistry and understanding how
these aspects of the brain are responsible for certain
cognitive/mental/thinking processes. Modern scanning techniques such as
fMRI are allowing for ever-more detailed analyses of brain areas and
combined with other experimental techniques is allowing for an
unprecedented understanding of the links between brain function and
behaviour.
Cognitive Neuroscience has many practical applications including:
Use of scanning/imaging techniques eg to locate different types of
memory in different areas of the brain leading to treatment for
memory problems
Use of scanning/imaging techniques to study mental processing
patients with depression or OCD or in children with autism or
dyslexia
Use of imaging techniques and angiography to study the effects of
normal ageing on the brain or to observe the effects of stroke on the
brain
Studies:
o Memory & Navigation: Maguire et al. (2000) found increased gray
matter in the posterior hippocampus of taxi drivers.
o Decision Making: Raine et al. (1997) used PET scans to show how
impulsive murderers under-utilize their prefrontal cortex.
o Tulving: LTM types – eg procedural memories in cerebellum,
episodic and semantic in different parts of the pre frontal cortex
Evaluation
Scientific Credibility: It uses highly controlled and rigorous methods, such
as PET and fMRI scans, to generate objective, empirical data rather than
relying solely on inference.
Localized Functionality: It has successfully mapped specific mental
processes to brain areas, such as linking the parahippocampal gyrus with
OCD and the prefrontal cortex to episodic memory.
Practical Applications: The field has been instrumental in medical
diagnostics, including identifying brain areas associated with Alzheimer's
disease and developing treatments.
