Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Parallel Processing01:20

Parallel Processing

933
The brain processes sensory information rapidly due to parallel processing, which involves sending data across multiple neural pathways at the same time. This method allows the brain to manage various sensory qualities, such as shapes, colors, movements, and locations, all concurrently. For instance, when observing a forest landscape, the brain simultaneously processes the movement of leaves, the shapes of trees, the depth between them, and the various shades of green. This enables a quick and...
933
Organization of the Brain01:30

Organization of the Brain

3.6K
The brain is an integral component of the nervous system and serves as the center for processing sensory inputs, making decisions, and directing bodily actions. This complex organ is organized into three primary sections: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, each responsible for a range of vital functions.
Hindbrain
The hindbrain, located at the base of the brain, plays a vital role in regulating automatic processes that sustain life. It includes the medulla oblongata, which is essential for...
3.6K
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex01:23

Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex

4.9K
The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at...
4.9K
Lobes of the Cerebrum01:22

Lobes of the Cerebrum

5.4K
The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....
5.4K
Cerebral Hemispheres01:05

Cerebral Hemispheres

3.6K
The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...
3.6K
Association Areas of the Cortex01:21

Association Areas of the Cortex

10.1K
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
10.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Phytochemicals in Ischemic Stroke.

Neuromolecular medicine·2016
Same author

Corrigendum to "Combination therapy with lenalidomide and nanoceria ameliorates CNS autoimmunity", [Exp. Neurol. 273 (2015), 151-160].

Experimental neurology·2016
Same author

Alternative Splicing of Neuronal Differentiation Factor TRF2 Regulated by HNRNPH1/H2.

Cell reports·2016
Same author

Lipid-laden cells differentially distributed in the aging brain are functionally active and correspond to distinct phenotypes.

Scientific reports·2016
Same author

Nuclear DNA damage signalling to mitochondria in ageing.

Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology·2016
Same author

Inhibition of Notch1 promotes hedgehog signalling in a HES1-dependent manner in chondrocytes and exacerbates experimental osteoarthritis.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases·2016

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 24, 2026

High-resolution Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods for Human Midbrain
10:06

High-resolution Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods for Human Midbrain

Published on: May 10, 2012

12.2K

Superior pattern processing is the essence of the evolved human brain.

Mark P Mattson1

  • 1Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program Baltimore, MD, USA ; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, USA.

Frontiers in Neuroscience
|September 10, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Superior pattern processing (SPP) is the foundation of unique human brain capacities like intelligence and language. Understanding SPP mechanisms could lead to interventions for cognitive disorders and destructive behaviors.

Keywords:
evolutionhippocampuslanguage disordersneuronal networkreligion and science

More Related Videos

Identification of Disease-related Spatial Covariance Patterns using Neuroimaging Data
14:27

Identification of Disease-related Spatial Covariance Patterns using Neuroimaging Data

Published on: June 26, 2013

15.2K
Stimulus-specific Cortical Visual Evoked Potential Morphological Patterns
09:42

Stimulus-specific Cortical Visual Evoked Potential Morphological Patterns

Published on: May 12, 2019

5.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 24, 2026

High-resolution Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods for Human Midbrain
10:06

High-resolution Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods for Human Midbrain

Published on: May 10, 2012

12.2K
Identification of Disease-related Spatial Covariance Patterns using Neuroimaging Data
14:27

Identification of Disease-related Spatial Covariance Patterns using Neuroimaging Data

Published on: June 26, 2013

15.2K
Stimulus-specific Cortical Visual Evoked Potential Morphological Patterns
09:42

Stimulus-specific Cortical Visual Evoked Potential Morphological Patterns

Published on: May 12, 2019

5.5K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Science
  • Evolutionary Psychology

Background:

  • Human brain's superior cognitive abilities compared to other species remain a key area of inquiry.
  • Existing theories often focus on specific functions rather than a unifying mechanism.
  • The evolutionary trajectory of human cognition necessitates an explanation for its uniqueness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose Superior Pattern Processing (SPP) as the core mechanism underlying unique human cognitive functions.
  • To explore the evolutionary basis and neurobiological underpinnings of SPP.
  • To investigate the role of SPP in both normal and disordered cognitive states.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis integrating evolutionary biology, neuroscience, and cognitive psychology.
  • Examination of neuroanatomical changes, particularly cerebral cortex expansion.
  • Review of factors influencing pattern reinforcement, including emotional and external stimuli.

Main Results:

  • SPP, involving neuronal network-based encoding and transfer of patterns, is posited as fundamental to human intelligence, language, and abstract thought.
  • Evolutionary expansion of the prefrontal cortex and visual processing regions correlates with enhanced SPP.
  • Reinforcement of patterns through emotions, indoctrination, and substances influences SPP.

Conclusions:

  • SPP provides a unifying framework for understanding unique human cognitive abilities.
  • Dysregulation of SPP is implicated in cognitive and psychiatric disorders.
  • Further research into SPP mechanisms may yield interventions for improving decision-making and reducing harmful behaviors.