Cognition Without Control: When A Little Frontal Lobe Goes a Long Way

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B6hWs3KWEu1BZmFhYzMwOGItYmUwYi00N2ZjLWFmOWQtYjgyM2NmMzc5MDdl&hl=en

Sharon L. Thompson-Schill,1 Michael Ramscar,2 and Evangelia G. Chrysikou1

1University of Pennsylvania and 2Stanford University

ABSTRACT—The prefrontal cortex is crucial for the ability
to regulate thought and control behavior. The development
of the human cerebral cortex is characterized by an extended
period of maturation during which young children
exhibit marked deficits in cognitive control. We contend
that prolonged prefrontal immaturity is, on balance, advantageous
and that the positive consequences of this
developmental trajectory outweigh the negative. Particularly,
we argue that cognitive control impedes convention
learning and that delayed prefrontal maturation is a
necessary adaptation for human learning of social and
linguistic conventions. We conclude with a discussion of
recent observations that are relevant to this claim of evolutionary
trade-offs in a wide range of research areas,
including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism
spectrum disorders, creativity, and sleep.

Juggling Enhances Connections In The Brain

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016114055.htm

ScienceDaily (Oct. 17, 2009) — Learning to juggle leads to changes in the white matter of the brain, an Oxford University study has shown.

Elizabeth Jameson's CONVERSATIONS WITH MYSELF: A BRAIN JOURNEY opens at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco on November 12, 2009

Using her collection of hundreds of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans of her own brain as a common starting point, Elizabeth Jameson creates artwork in a variety of mediums.

The resulting creations are quite literally a visual record of the artist's conversations with herself.

Elizabeth Jameson's CONVERSATIONS WITH MYSELF: A BRAIN JOURNEY will feature solarplate etchings, silk paintings, textile art, mixed media pieces, and digital work.

"I start with these stark, intimidating pieces of dark plastic that have defined and delineated the most challenging facets of my life for the past twenty years,' according to Elizabeth Jameson. "And I attempt to transform them into something beautiful.'

"In what most people would find formidable, Elizabeth finds an astounding beauty", according to Lynn Curtis, curator at The Commonwealth Club. "The result is a series of paintings and prints that are absolutely radiant, and I am honored to bring this amazing and life-affirming exhibition to the Commonwealth Club."

Elizabeth Jameson's CONVERSATIONS WITH MYSELF: A BRAIN JOURNEY uniquely re-contextualizes medical images into something else entirely.

"By using art to understand her own brain, Elizabeth has found new layers of meaning - and beauty - in oft-seen medical images," according to Dr. Stephen L. Hauser, neuroimmunologist and Chair of the Department of Neurology at UCSF, whose research has dramatically advanced our understanding of the genetic basis, immune mechanisms, and treatment of multiple sclerosis. "I’ll never again look at an MRI scan in the same way.”

'Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a remarkable medical tool, able to probe the brain at unprecedented resolution, but the limiting factor is what can be picked up with a strong magnet,' according to art critic and conceptual artist Jonathon Keats, whose own work frequently explores the brain and consciousness. 'The MRI an objective representation of externally-collected data. Jameson's paintings and prints provide an alternative perspective by colorfully revealing how the brain resonates emotionally in the mind of the beholder.'

ABOUT ELIZABETH JAMESON

Bay Area artist Elizabeth Jameson creates artwork that celebrate the beauty and remarkable adaptive abilities of the human brain. Jameson lives with multiple sclerosis and uses her own MRI brain scans to create art that explores her life, complete with emotional, physical and spiritual complexity. Jameson’s solo show, Conversations with Myself: A Brain Journey is on display at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco from November 3 through January 7, 2010.

ABOUT THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB

Founded in 1903, The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's premier non-profit public affairs forum, with more than 18,000 members. Based in San Francisco, The Club hosts speeches, debates and discussions on issues of regional, national and international significance. At least half a million people hear The Commonwealth Club's weekly radio broadcasts on more than 150 public and commercial radio stations across the country. The Club also broadcasts on XM Satellite Radio, and recently began pod casting its programs. A selection of The Club's programs is now also televised on Comcast Premium Digital Cable. For the past century, The Club has fostered free speech and civic dialogue on wide-ranging topics, addressing key issues in society, culture, politics, the economy and more.

OPENING RECEPTION:
Thursday, November 12
Five to Seven P.M.
***FREE***

Commonwealth Club
595 Market Street
San Francisco, CA :

George Lucas Educational Foundation

http://www.edutopia.org

"Through the Edutopia.org Web site,Edutopia magazine, and Edutopia video, we spread the word about ideal, interactive learning environments and enable others to adapt these successes locally. Edutopia.org contains a deep archive of continually updated best practices, from classroom tips to recommendations for districtwide change. Allied with a dedicated audience that actively contributes success stories from the field, our mission relies on input and participation from schools and communities.

The diverse and innovative media resources available from The George Lucas Educational Foundation are designed to connect and inspire positive change in all areas of education.

• Edutopia.org: An in-depth and interactive resource, Edutopia.org offers practical, hands-on advice, real-world examples, lively contributions from practitioners, and invaluable tips and tools.
• Edutopia magazine: The preeminent publication for promoting positive change in education,Edutopia magazine presents a continual flow of fresh ideas and inspiring success stories.
• Edutopia video: Through an extensive offering of documentaries, Edutopia video is a catalyst for innovation by helping educators and parents, as well as business and community leaders, see and understand pioneering best practices."

Can the Right Kinds of Play Teach Self-Control?

By PAUL TOUGH

Published: September 25, 2009 School Issue: Preschool

Click here for the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/magazine/27tools-t.html?em=&pagewanted=all

"There is a popular belief that executive-function skills are fixed early on, a function of genes and parenting, and that other than medication, there’s not much that teachers and professionals can do to affect children’s impulsive behavior. In fact, though, there is growing evidence that the opposite is true, that executive-function skills are relatively malleable — quite possibly more malleable than I.Q., which is notoriously hard to increase over a sustained period. In laboratory studies, research psychologists have found that with executive function, practice helps; when children or adults repeatedly perform basic exercises in cognitive self-regulation, they get better at it."

TED Talk on Neuroplasticity

This is a fun short talk about the amazing adaptability of the human brain!

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/michael_merzenich_on_the_elastic_brain.html

Is Tetris good for the brain?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901082851.htm

We will be reading this paper closely!