 |
|
People with agenesis of the corpus callosum have difficulty identifying certain emotions from facial expressions (asterisks). Previous studies showed that people with autism also had difficulty identifying some of these same emotions (dagger). Image courtesy of Lynn Paul, California Institute of Technology.
|
Neurobiology of Social Interaction
Social neuroscience is a young interdisciplinary field aimed at identifying the biological mechanisms that produce social behaviors and studying the reciprocal effects of culture on the brain. The implications for society are striking — from understanding sociopathy to neurodevelopment disorders such as autism, this research has the potential for broad reach and broad impact.
One way to look at the influences of the brain on social behavior is by examining the impact of known brain anomalies. Lynn Paul, California Institute of Technology, presented research on agenesis of the corpus collosum (AgCC). The corpus collosum normally contains about 190 million fibers that transfer information between brain hemispheres. In AgCC, it is partially or fully absent. This rare condition leads to impaired abilities to read social cues from facial expressions and sustain social relationships. Research into AgCC has implications for understanding and treating other disorders in which emotional processing is faulty, especially autism.
As part of an ongoing series, “Inside Science” highlights emerging research presented at SfN’s annual meeting. At Neuroscience 2009, David G. Amaral, research director of the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute at the University of California, moderated a press conference exploring how the brain processes social cues. Several researchers presented studies representing the diversity of the field, ranging from synapses to human behavior.
Video
For more information, read the article Neurobiology of Social Interaction from "Inside Science" in the Summer 2010 issue of Neuroscience Quarterly.
 |
|
The ability of musicians to distinguish speech in background noise is better than nonmusicians. A musician’s perception of speech in noise improves as the number of years of musical training increases. Credit: Modified, with permission: Parbery-Clark A, Skoe E, Lam C, Kraus N (2009) Musician Enhancement for Speech-In-Noise. Ear & Hearing 30(6): 653-661.
|
Music Training and the Brain
Professional musicians put extraordinary effort into training on their instrument. By the age of 21 it is estimated that they have played for 10,000 hours. But until recently, it was unclear what effect their experience had on the brain and behavior.
Neuroscientists are studying musicians to assess how performing and practicing music alter psychophysics, cognition, and synaptic physiology — in a clear example of experience-dependent plasticity. The researchers are looking at how musical training influences the processing and perception of sound and examining the effect of music education on brain development. Recent research indicates that musicians excel in areas other than musical ability. For example, they outclass most in processing speech and emotionally expressive sounds.
At Neuroscience 2009, several neuroscientists reported their latest research findings about music training and the brain in a press conference moderated by Mark Tramo of Harvard Medical School. The findings indicate that musicians also perform better than nonmusicians on tasks of auditory attention and on receiving and processing auditory information in challenging listening environments. View the video from the press conference below.
Video
Slides
- Dana Strait, Northwestern University Bienen School of Music, Evanston, Ill. - Download slides (PDF)
- Nina Kraus, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. - Download slides (PDF)
- Markus Engelmann, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany - Download slides (PDF)
For more information, read the article Music Training and the Brain from "Inside Science" in the Spring 2010 issue of Neuroscience Quarterly.
Optogenetics: Researchers Shed Light on Neuron Function
During a press conference at Neuroscience 2009, researchers discussed "optogenetics," a relatively new technique combining light and genetics. Through optogenetics, previously mysterious brain mechanisms involved in learning, recall, and emotions can now be deconstructed. Researchers also addressed new applications for optogenetics in animal research, from tracing brain circuitry and modifying behavior to potentially developing therapies for central nervous system diseases.
Optogenetics uses light to turn neurons on and off and enables researchers to study specific brain circuits with unprecedented precision. Findings using this tool already provide a greater understanding of how the brain works in both health and disease, and hold potential to improve therapies. View the video from the press conference below.
Video
For more information, read the article Optogenetics: Researchers Shed Light on Neuron Function from "Inside Science" in the Winter 2010 issue of Neuroscience Quarterly.
Internationally known magicians Apollo Robbins (left) and
Eric Mead (right) at Neuroscience 2009
Magicians Discuss the Art of Magic at Neuroscience 2009
On Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, internationally known magicians Apollo Robbins and Eric Mead joined attendees at Neuroscience 2009 for an interactive discussion on Magic, the Brain, and the Mind. As the featured Dialogues Between Neuroscience and Society lecture, the magicians explored how attention, memory, and perception inform the art and practice of illusion and magic.
View video of the dialogues below.
NIH Director Francis Collins (left) and former SfN President
Tom Carew (right) at Neuroscience 2009
|
Video Viewing Instructions
|
|
Videos require QuickTime player. To view videos, your computer must have QuickTime player installed.
• PC users: Download QuickTime.
• Mac users: QuickTime is already installed.
|
|
NIH Director Francis Collins’ Special Presentation
On Monday, October 19, 2009, at the SfN annual meeting in Chicago, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis Collins, MD, PhD, discussed his vision for NIH, and the key challenges and opportunities facing NIH and the broader scientific community. View the special presentation below - watch the full video or watch separate chapters of his speech. The presentation slides are also available for download.
Download the slideshow (PDF)
Video
- Full video
- Chapter 1: Welcome - NIH, ARRA and the Blueprint
- Chapter 2: Opportunity 1 - High throughput technologies to understand fundamental biology
- Chapter 3: Opportunity 2 - Translating basic science discoveries
- Chapter 4: Opportunity 3 - Putting science to work for the benefit of health care reform
- Chapter 5: Opportunity 4 - Encouraging a greater focus on global health
- Chapter 6: Opportunity 5 - Reinvigorating and empowering the biomedical research community
- Chapter 7: Q&A - Genes and Environment, Animals in Research, Young Researchers, the Roadmap & Translation