The desire to understand how the human brain functions work originated in scientists long ago. Since then, numerous studies have been carried out, and many methods have been used to study the brain. A summary of the history of cognitive neuroscience will allow to understand how the human brain’s work changed from research to research. Various techniques invented through time have allowed scientists to make important discoveries and significant progress in studying the human brain.
There are a lot of studies and methods that have changed cognitive neuroscience. Among them are lesion studies and imaging of the structure and function of the brain. Lesion studies are often used to determine the regions of the brain that could have caused the behavioral deficit. Thankfully to this method, it was revealed that specific areas in the brain correspond to specific task components. For example, if the part of the brain responsible for speech has been damaged, it can cause speech loss. Another method of studying the human brain is Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Active development of technologies allows to apply MRI methods and to create 3D models of the structure of neurons. It is essential to study the localization and lateralization of function in the history of cognitive neuroscience. Localization of function is the idea that circumscribed areas within each hemisphere control specific functions. Previously researchers assumed that all human brain functions were bilateral, but today they think they are anatomical. Lateralization is the understanding that the two hemispheres of the human brain work differently. In the past, it was thought that their functions were the same.
In conclusion, it is vital to highlight the essential role of cognitive neuroscience methods and discoveries in changing the understanding of human brain function. Methods such as lesion studies or Magnetic resonance imaging, along with functional localization and functional lateralization theories, have disrupted previous versions of cognitive neuroscience and opened a new chapter in the study of the human brain.