Shimamura Lab: Description
Research Program
in Cognitive Neuroscience
The Shimamura Lab seeks to define
the neural bases of human memory and cognition. Three methods
are used. First, we develop behavioral tasks that tap aspects
of cognition, such attending, learning, and remembering.
Healthy young adults act as subjects for these experiments. Second,
we administer these behavioral tasks to older adults and to adults
with neurological disorders as a way to assess cognitive changes
due to normal aging or brain damage. Third, we apply brain imaging
techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI),
as a way to analyze the brain areas that are active during a behavioral
task. With these methods, we develop theories about the neural
dynamics of memory and cognitive processes.
In our research, the function
of the prefrontal cortex has become central in understanding
how we control our thoughts, memories, actions, and even emotions.
Different regions in the prefrontal cortex regulate different
aspects of mental function. A prominent goal of our research program
is to understand how the prefrontal cortex acts to guide and control
memory processes.
Specific Research
Interests
