Definition:
Cognitive Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary branch of science that studies the biological processes and neural mechanisms underlying human cognition and behavior. It combines knowledge from various fields, including neuroscience, psychology, computer science, genetics, and linguistics, to understand how our brain enables us to perceive, think, learn, remember, and communicate.
Main Subtopics:
- Neural Basis of Cognition: Investigates the neural structures and circuits involved in different cognitive processes, such as attention, perception, memory, language, and decision-making.
- Functional Brain Imaging: Explores various techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and positron emission tomography (PET), to observe and measure brain activity associated with specific cognitive tasks or states.
- Neurochemical and Molecular Effects: Examines the biochemical and molecular changes that occur in the brain during cognitive activities, including neurotransmitter release, gene expression, and synaptic plasticity.
- Cognitive Development: Focuses on understanding how cognitive abilities emerge, unfold, and change over the lifespan, from infancy to old age, by examining both typical and atypical development.
- Cognitive Disorders and Rehabilitation: Investigates cognitive impairments resulting from brain injuries, neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, stroke), and mental health conditions, aiming to develop interventions and therapies to restore or improve cognitive functions.
- Computational Cognitive Neuroscience: Utilizes computer models and simulations to understand how complex cognitive processes arise from the interactions between neural networks and generate predictions about human behavior.