Cognitive Neuroscience

Cognitive neuroscience is the study of human mental functions such as remembering, attending, decision making, reading and speaking, problem solving, etc., and the computational processes and neural mechanisms underlying these functions in the human brain.  Cognitive neuroscience research at the CSL includes the following topic areas:

    - Event-related brain potential studies of visual attention

    - Changes in attentional functions through the adult life span

    - Attentional functioning in Alzheimer's dementia and in individuals at genetic risk for
      dementia

    - Eye movements and attention

    - Genetic polymorphisms associated with visuospatial attention and memory

    - Event-related potential (at CSL) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (at NIMH)
      studies of attention and visual motion priming.

The methods used by the cognitive neuroscience research group are diverse.  They include perceptual and cognitive tests such as spatial orienting, visual search, motion priming, and spatial memory; event-related potentials of the brain, and eye movements.  In addition, functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies are carried out in collaboration with researchers at the national Institutes of Mental Health.

Current Funded Research Projects in the area of Cognitive Neuroscience are:

Apolipoprotein E, Cognition, and Alzheimer's Disease
Principal Investigator: Raja Parasuraman
Source of funding: National Institute on Aging, NI H  (R01 Award)
Dates: 10/1/01 - 8/31/06
Award: $2,062,757

Neuroimaging of Complex Motion in Young and Old Adults
Principal Investigator: Yang Jiang (sponsor Raja Parasuraman)
Source of funding: National Institutes of Health (K01 Award)
Dates: 10/1/01 - 8/31/06
Award: $538,156

Eye Movements and Visuospatial Attention in Aging
Principal Investigator: Camilla Chavez Knott (sponsor Pamela Greenwood)
Source of funding: National Institutes of Health (NRSA Minority Award)
Dates: 8/1/01 - 7/31/04
Award: $66,000