Brain Myths

1
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

2
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Fact All 100 billion neurons, each with their
  1,000-10,000 synaptic connections are always
  active.
• Each neuron in the brain requires a continuous
  supply of glucose and oxygen.
• Each neuron must make ATP to support the sodium
  pump (Na, K ATPase) which functions as a
  membrane battery charger

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Brain Myth 1 We only use 10 of our brain.
3
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Although there are functional differences between
  right and left brains, both brains are used for
  most tasks.
• The right brain is more holistic and intuitive
• The left brain is more analytical
• The left brain analyzes the verbal aspects of
  language while the right brain deals with the
  nonverbal aspects.

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Brain Myth 2 Right/ Left brain myth
4
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• While there are limits to CNS regeneration, brain
  areas can be reassigned to restore functions lost
  by brain injury.
• Recently discovered neural stem cells allow some
  regeneration by neuronal replacement.
• Restoration of function can also be met by axon
  sprouting and synaptic rearrangements and changes
  in membrane proteins (story of Hank).

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Brain Myth 3 Brain damage is permanent
5
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• This concepts states that the human brain can get
  full and not be able to store any more
  information.
• The brain is NOT limited in its ability to
  process and store information within the limits
  of an individuals lifetime. We do not live long
  enough to fill up our brains hard drive.

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Brain Myth 4 The brain is like a sponge
6
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• The computer is primarily a serial processing
  device that uses 1s and 0s at very high speed.
• The brain is a parallel and heirarchical
  processing system that uses more than 70
  different chemical neurotransmitter substances.

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Brain Myth 5 The brain processes information
like a computer
7
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• While evolution has resulted in larger brains in
  the more advanced vertebrates and mammals,
  larger brain size does not necessarily mean
  greater intelligence.
• The largest brain is that of the sperm whale
  (Physeter macrocephalus) 8,000 gm (18 pounds)
• Mans brain is about 1,400 gm (1/5 that of the
  Sperm whale)

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Brain Myth 6 Intelligence is based on brain size
8
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Homo floriensis 380 gm
• Homo habilis 750 gm
• Homo erectus 980 gm
• Homo sapiens 1,400 gm
• Homo neanderthalensis 1750 gm

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Brain Myth 6 Intelligence is based on brain size
9
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Homo floriensis 380 gm
• Homo habilis 750 gm
• Homo erectus 980 gm
• Homo sapiens 1,400 gm
• Homo neanderthalensis 1750 gm

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Brain Myth 6 Intelligence is based on brain size
10
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Intelligence is more closely related to the
  brain/body mass ratio
• Fish 15,000
• Reptiles 11,500
• Birds 1 220
• Mammals 1 180
• Humans 1 50
• Men have larger brains than women.
• Women have a higher brain to body mass ratio than
  men.

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Brain Myth 6 Intelligence is based on brain size
11
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Our perceptions are created by bits and pieces of
  information and created by the brain.

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Our Perceptions
12
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• The human brain has the capacity to assemble
  color, oriented lines, motion, and depth
  information independently from separate parallel
  streams of visual information processing pathways
  to create a coherent visual image

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Our Perceptions Visual perceptions
13
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

14
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Our Perceptions
15
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

16
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

17
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

18
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

19
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

20
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Below is an example of how the brian is albe to
  automatically assemble misspelled wdors
• Arinocdcg to rencet rseaerch, the hmuan brian is
  plrectfey albe to raed colmpex pasasges of txet
  caiinontng wdors in whcih the lrettes hvae been
  jmblued, pvioedrd the frsit and lsat leetrts
  rmeian in teihr crcerot piiotsons.
•  
• The fcat taht you are ridenag tihs now wtih
  reaitvle esae is poorf of the thoery.

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Our Perceptions
21
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Our Perceptions are not the same

• Color-blind individuals cannot see the numbers
  that appear in the circles to the left.

http//www.moillusions.com/2009/04/color-blindness
-test-ultimate-edition.html
22
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Our Perceptions are not the same The reverse
color-blindness test
http//www.kidfreeliving.com/colorblind
23
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• This is what a color-blind individual sees

This is what a normal seeing individual sees

• Dr. Glenn H. Kageyama

Our Perceptions are not the same The reverse
color-blindness test
http//www.cs.unm.edu/aaron/creative/colorTest.ht
m
24
Brain Myths Misperceptions
http//agelessmarketing.typepad.com/ageless_market
ing/2006/01/index.html
25
Brain Myths Misperceptions
Schematic drawing showing how the left hemisphere
differs from the right in mnemonic functions. The
left is specialized for semantic processing while
the right appears to be specialized for episodic
memory.
Gazzaniga, M.S. (2011) Cerebral Specialization
and interhemispheric communication
(http//brain.oxfordjournals.org/content/123/7/129
3.full)
26
Brain Myths Misperceptions

• Hemispatial neglect syndrome

(http//jnnp.bmj.com/content/75/1/13.abstract)