In the brief (4 minute) movie below, biochemist Gregory Petsko makes a compelling case to show that neurological diseases of ageing, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, will be a major global challenge in the 21st century:
This was originally posted here as one of a series of many TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) talks. They cover a huge range of areas but are united in all being presented by very effective communicators. Worth checking out.
“A Neurobehavioral Approach to the Study of Cognitive and Emotional Development”
Kathleen M. Thomas
Assoc. Prof. of Child Psychology, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota
Wed 12 November, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Level 2, Van der Veer Institute, 66 Stewart St
ABSTRACT – The human brain is arguably the most complex system in the world. Each of our everyday thoughts, actions, memories, or emotions stems from a combination of both simple and complex functions of the brain. Over the past 20 years, neuroscientists have learned much about the cellular structure of the brain and its chemical and electrical signaling pathways, providing valuable insights into the workings of the mind as well as the mechanisms underlying neurological disease. Despite this incredible knowledge base, the development of the brain, and more particularly, its relation to the emergence of higher-level thought and behavior, remains a relative mystery. In this talk, I will present examples from our work examining links between brain structure and function and the development of cognitive and emotional skills in childhood. This research includes the use of neuroimaging methods as a tool for examining the neural systems supporting learning, memory, and attention in typical children. In addition, I will describe ongoing research combining multiple behavioral and neuroscience techniques to address brain and cognitive function in children at-risk for atypical development.
BIO – Dr. Kathleen Thomas is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota. She received her PhD in Child Psychology in 1997. Her graduate and postdoctoral training focused on the use of neuroimaging methods including event-related potentials (ERP) and structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the study of cognitive development in infants and young children. Dr. Thomas was a faculty member at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) and the Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology (Weill Medical College of Cornell University) prior to accepting her current position in 2002. Her current research addresses neurobehavioral development in both typical and atypical child populations.
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