Syllabus

Description

This course explores the cognitive and neural processes that support attention, vision, language, motor control, navigation, and memory. It introduces basic neuroanatomy, functional imaging techniques, and behavioral measures of cognition, and discusses methods by which inferences about the brain bases of cognition are made. We consider evidence from patients with neurological diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Balint's syndrome, amnesia, and focal lesions from stroke) and from normal human participants.

Textbook

There are no required texts for this course; however, there is an extensive reading list of primary research literature.

Grading

Class attendance is mandatory.

Activities percentages
Journal article presentation and participation in class 25%
8-min quiz every Wednesday 25%
Mid-term test 25%
Final examination 25%
(Optional 10-15 page paper) (20%)

Calendar

LEC # TOPICS LECTURERS KEY DATES
1 Introduction to cognitive neuroscience Sue Corkin
2

Neuroanatomy demonstration, wet lab

Jerry Schneider

Sonal Jhaveri

3

Neuroimaging methods in cognitive neuroscience

David Salat, MGH/MIT/HMS Martinos center

1 student presentation

8-min quiz

4 A critical eye on fMRI Moriah Thomason 2 student presentations
5 Object Recognition Becca Schwarzlose

1 student presentation

8-min quiz

6 Functional specialization of high-level vision Becca Schwarzlose 2 student presentations
7 Attention Bob Desimone

1 student presentation

8-min quiz

8 Attention and neglect Sue Corkin 2 student presentations
9 Mental imagery Sue Corkin

1 student presentation

8-min quiz

10 Navigation Sue Corkin 2 student presentations
11 Synesthesia Sue Corkin

1 student presentation

8-min quiz

12 Novelty Sue Corkin 2 student presentations
Mid-term test
13 Frontal lobe functions Sue Corkin 2 student presentations
14 Working memory and control processes Christie Chung

1 student presentation

8-min quiz

15 Reward Sue Corkin 2 student presentations
16

Parkinson's disease

Case presentation

John Growdon, Massachusetts general hospital no student presentation

8-min quiz

17 Audition and music Nadine Gaab

1 student presentation

8-min quiz

18 Amusia Sue Corkin

2 student presentations

19 Sex steroids and cognition Sue Corkin

1 student presentation

8-min quiz

20 Plasticity in the adult brain David Ziegler

2 student presentations

21 Anomia and category-specific naming disorders Sue Corkin

1 student presentation

8-min quiz

22 Effects of sleep on memory Sue Corkin 2 student presentations
23

Mild cognitive impairment and alzheimer's disease

Case presentation

John Growdon, Massachusetts general hospital

8-min quiz

Paper due

24 Cognition in alzheimer's disease Sue Corkin

2 student presentations

25

Developmental cognitive neuroscience

Charles A. Nelson, Boston children's hospital

2 student presentations

No quiz

Final examination