1. What is synaesthesia?

Author(s):  
Julia Simner

Synaesthesia manifests in many different ways, and this poses a challenge in setting out a definition. ‘What is synaesthesia?’ explains that the triggers (inducers) and the resulting unusual associated sensations (concurrents) can be all manner of sensations, or even intangible concepts of personality, meaning, space, and time. It describes several different types of synaesthesia, including sound–colour, lexical–gustatory, visual–auditory, sequence–space, grapheme–colour, and sequence–personality synaesthesia. The number of people with synaesthesia make up around 4.4% of the population and it appears to affect men and women in equal numbers. Despite being a rare condition, synaesthesia provides intriguing information about how the mind interprets reality and how information is organised by the brain.

1999 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 1035-1036
Author(s):  
Friedemann Pulvermüller

True, there may be two language-processing systems, lexicon and syntax. However, could we not say more than that they are computationally and linguistically distinct? Where are they in the brain, why are they where they are, and how can their distinctness and functional properties be explained by biological principles? A brain model of language is necessary to answer these questions. One view is that two different types of corticocortical connections are most important for storing rules and their exceptions: short-range connections within the perisylvian language cortex and long-range connections between this region and other areas. Probabilities of neuroanatomical connections plus associative learning principles explain why different connection bundles specialize in rule storage versus exception learning. Linguistic issues related to language change and plural formation in German are addressed in closing.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (15) ◽  
pp. 9-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chorong Oh ◽  
Leonard LaPointe

Dementia is a condition caused by and associated with separate physical changes in the brain. The signs and symptoms of dementia are very similar across the diverse types, and it is difficult to diagnose the category by behavioral symptoms alone. Diagnostic criteria have relied on a constellation of signs and symptoms, but it is critical to understand the neuroanatomical differences among the dementias for a more precise diagnosis and subsequent management. With this regard, this review aims to explore the neuroanatomical aspects of dementia to better understand the nature of distinctive subtypes, signs, and symptoms. This is a review of English language literature published from 1996 to the present day of peer-reviewed academic and medical journal articles that report on older people with dementia. This review examines typical neuroanatomical aspects of dementia and reinforces the importance of a thorough understanding of the neuroanatomical characteristics of the different types of dementia and the differential diagnosis of them.


2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márk Molnár ◽  
Roland Boha ◽  
Balázs Czigler ◽  
Zsófia Anna Gaál

This review surveys relevant and recent data of the pertinent literature regarding the acute effect of alcohol on various kinds of memory processes with special emphasis on working memory. The characteristics of different types of long-term memory (LTM) and short-term memory (STM) processes are summarized with an attempt to relate these to various structures in the brain. LTM is typically impaired by chronic alcohol intake but according to some data a single dose of ethanol may have long lasting effects if administered at a critically important age. The most commonly seen deleterious acute effect of alcohol to STM appears following large doses of ethanol in conditions of “binge drinking” causing the “blackout” phenomenon. However, with the application of various techniques and well-structured behavioral paradigms it is possible to detect, albeit occasionally, subtle changes of cognitive processes even as a result of a low dose of alcohol. These data may be important for the consideration of legal consequences of low-dose ethanol intake in conditions such as driving, etc.


2004 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 713-716
Author(s):  
Ellen S. Berscheid
Keyword(s):  
The Mind ◽  

PsycCRITIQUES ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (32) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Was
Keyword(s):  
The Mind ◽  

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad J. Sagarin ◽  
Katharine E. Seidelman ◽  
Leah Peryer ◽  
Jeremy Heider ◽  
Sherman B. Serna

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
vernon thornton

A description of of the mind and its relationship to the brain, set in an evolutionary context. Introduction of a correct version of 'language-of-thought' called 'thinkish'.


Author(s):  
Olga Lemzyakova

Refraction of the eye means its ability to bend (refract) light in its own optical system. In a normal state, which is called emmetropia, light rays passing through the optical system of the eye focus on the retina, from where the impulse is transmitted to the visual cortex of the brain and is analyzed there. A person sees equally well both in the distance and near in this situation. However, very often, refractive errors develop as a result of various types of influences. Myopia, or short-sightedness, occurs when the light rays are focused in front of the retina as a result of passing through the optical system of the eye. In this case, a person will clearly distinguish close objects and have difficulties in seeing distant objects. On the opposite side is development of farsightedness (hypermetropia), in which the focusing of light rays occurs behind the retina — such a person sees distant objects clearly, but outlines of closer objects are out of focus. Near vision impairment in old age is a natural process called presbyopia, it develops due to the lens thickening. Both myopia and hypermetropia can have different degrees of severity. The variant, when different refractive errors are observed in different eyes, is called anisometropia. In the same case, if different types of refraction are observed in the same eye, it is astigmatism, and most often it is a congenital pathology. Almost all of the above mentioned refractive errors require correction with spectacles or use of contact lenses. Recently, people are increasingly resorting to the methods of surgical vision correction.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1073-1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santiago Vilar ◽  
Eduardo Sobarzo-Sanchez ◽  
Lourdes Santana ◽  
Eugenio Uriarte

Background: Blood-brain barrier transport is an important process to be considered in drug candidates. The blood-brain barrier protects the brain from toxicological agents and, therefore, also establishes a restrictive mechanism for the delivery of drugs into the brain. Although there are different and complex mechanisms implicated in drug transport, in this review we focused on the prediction of passive diffusion through the blood-brain barrier. Methods: We elaborated on ligand-based and structure-based models that have been described to predict the blood-brain barrier permeability. Results: Multiple 2D and 3D QSPR/QSAR models and integrative approaches have been published to establish quantitative and qualitative relationships with the blood-brain barrier permeability. We explained different types of descriptors that correlate with passive diffusion along with data analysis methods. Moreover, we discussed the applicability of other types of molecular structure-based simulations, such as molecular dynamics, and their implications in the prediction of passive diffusion. Challenges and limitations of experimental measurements of permeability and in silico predictive methods were also described. Conclusion: Improvements in the prediction of blood-brain barrier permeability from different types of in silico models are crucial to optimize the process of Central Nervous System drug discovery and development.


Author(s):  
Marcello Massimini ◽  
Giulio Tononi

This chapter uses thought experiments and practical examples to introduce, in a very accessible way, the hard problem of consciousness. Soon, machines may behave like us to pass the Turing test and scientists may succeed in copying and simulating the inner workings of the brain. Will all this take us any closer to solving the mysteries of consciousness? The reader is taken to meet different kind of zombies, the philosophical, the digital, and the inner ones, to understand why many, scientists and philosophers alike, doubt that the mind–body problem will ever be solved.


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