BRAIN AND CREATIVITY INSTITUTE
THE OPPORTUNITY AND VISION
SINCE ANCIENT TIMES, THINKERS AND SCIENTISTS HAVE SOUGHT TO EXPLAIN HOW WE PERCEIVE, INTERPRET, AND SHAPE OUR EXISTENCE.
HOWEVER,
UNTIL VERY RECENTLY, RESEARCHERS INTERESTED IN THESE QUESTIONS HAVE HAD TO RELY ENTIRELY ON CONJECTURE OR INDIRECT EVIDENCE. Now, recent technological advances in brain imaging and
is likely to lead to novel practices in a variety of fields:
fresh insights into the functioning of the human brain at the
education, business management, international relations
level of systems, cells and molecules, provide extraordinary
and social communication, and technical and artistic inno-
new opportunities for uncovering the neurological underpin-
vation. Moreover, there is a growing awareness that a host
nings for a large array of mental functions — from emotion
of sociocultural factors (e.g., education; the use of advanced
and decision-making to innovation and creativity.
technologies; patterns of employment, and migration),
Why is it important to take advantage of these opportuni-
interacting with genetics and other biological factors, not
ties? First, because of what it can tell us about human nature,
only affect well-being but play a role in the development
physically, mentally, and spiritually. Second, and perhaps
of several diseases. A deeper understanding of brain func-
most urgently, because understanding the neurological basis
tion will open the way for investigating the largely
of mental phenomena turns out to be indispensable for both
unexplored interaction of “biological” and “sociocultural”
medical and social progress, particularly in a globalized society
phenomena in the mechanisms of human disease. This
defined by the most dramatic and rapid changes recorded in
applies to traditional “physical” conditions, such as hyper-
human history. The value of the resulting knowledge is
tension and infectious diseases, and to “mental”
beginning to be recognized.
conditions, such as depression, sociopathy, and drug addic-
For example, a significant part of the devastation caused by the most frequent brain disorders (from stroke and head injury to Alzheimer’s disease and mood disorders) results from
tion. The relevance of such understanding to public health is obvious. Seizing these opportunities, and drawing on partners
a compromise of emotion, decision-making, memory and
from the social sciences, the humanities, and several pro-
communication, separately or cumulatively. Gathering new
fessional disciplines, the Brain and Creativity Institute is
knowledge regarding the mechanisms behind these critical
launching a unique, multidisciplinary framework for tack-
functions is thus indispensable to progress in medical diag-
ling issues ranging from the personal (such as individual
nosis, treatment, and prevention of many brain conditions.
health problems), to the societal and global (such as educa-
It is also apparent that emotion, decision-making, memory
tion as well as political and ethnic conflict). The Institute
and communication, are central to our most fundamental
is a groundbreaking, ambitious, effort to make use of
sociocultural endeavors. Understanding the neurological
important new discoveries from the mind and brain sci-
workings of these functions within their sociocultural niche
ences and confront many of the pressing issues of our time.
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The Opportunity and Vision
MISSION AND APPROACH
THE
MISSION OF THE
BRAIN
AND
CREATIVITY INSTITUTE
IS TO GATHER
NEW KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE HUMAN EMOTIONS, DECISION-MAKING, MEMORY, AND COMMUNICATION, FROM A NEUROLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE, AND TO APPLY THIS KNOWLEDGE TO THE SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS IN THE BIOMEDICAL AND SOCIOCULTURAL ARENAS. The two words in the Institute’s name define its scope.
Institute uses state-of-the-art brain imaging techniques
The first was chosen because our research focus is the
(e.g. advanced magnetic resonance scanning), and cogni-
brain; the second reminds us that the brains of interacting
tive, psychophysiological, and psychophysical techniques
human beings have created a complex culture with myriad
as well as techniques developed in interaction with film-
manifestations: systems of belief, moral codes, social organi-
makers and social scientists, among others. Its
zation, the arts, the sciences, and technology.
investigators work closely with colleagues in other USC
The Institute is a unit of the College of Letters, Arts
units and elsewhere. Undergraduate, graduate, and post
& Sciences at the University of Southern California and its
doctoral students at USC are direct participants in the
research program draws on a variety of disciplines. The
activities of the Institute.
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Brain and Creativity Institute
Human Brain Anatomy in Computerized Images, Hanna Damasio
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Mission and Approach
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Brain and Creativity Institute
R E S E A R C H P O R T F O L I O A N D A N T I C I PAT E D R E S U LT S
ALTHOUGH
THE ULTIMATE GOALS OF THE INSTITUTE’S RESEARCH PROMI-
NENTLY FEATURE BIOMEDICAL AND SOCIOCULTURAL APPLICATIONS, ALL PROJECTS TO BE UNDERTAKEN HINGE ON THE INTERACTION OF NEUROCOGNITIVE, SOCIOCULTURAL, AND BIOMEDICAL PHENOMENA.
IN
THIS UNIQUE
SETTING, THE PROJECTS ARE INTERDISCIPLINARY HYBRIDS. Drawing on a flexible and lean group of investigators, the Institute plans to undertake, at any given time, a focused and restricted roster of projects. This is true of the initial research portfolio. EXAMPLES OF ANTICIPATED RESULTS INCLUDE:
>> Development of protocols for the management of patients who are victims of stroke, traumatic head injury, and Alzheimer’s disease, using combined cognitive, occupational, and pharmacologic therapies;
>> Identification of novel, biosocial approaches and treatments for chronic pain; substance addictions; stress related health problems; mood disorders; and learning disorders;
>> Development of protocols for social communication across cultures applicable in the settings of business, international relations, and education;
>> Development of best practice protocols for educational techniques and curriculum design; >> Gathering of new knowledge at the interface of neuroscience and creativity, for example in the areas of music, theater and film, and the visual arts;
>> Development of model strategies for decision-making under different conditions of risk and uncertainty, applicable in the areas of business, marketing, and personal finance;
>> Development of model strategies for personal decision-making in healthy elderly individuals.
Projects aimed at biomedical applications are undertaken in partnership with the USC Keck School of Medicine (e.g. with the Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics, and Occupational Science); and with the Davis School of Gerontology. Projects with sociocultural aims are undertaken in partnership with investigators in other USC College units (e.g. psychology, political science), and other USC schools (The Annenberg Center and the Annenberg School of Communication, The Rossier School of Education, The Marshall School of Business, The Viterbi School of Engineering, The School of Cinema and Television, and the School of Theater).
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Research Portfolio and Anticipated Results
THE EXPERTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HAS ESTABLISHED THE INSTITUTE WITH A COMMITMENT OF RESEARCH SPACE, TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT, AND START-UP FUNDING.
TO
ANTONIO DAMASIO
AND
LEAD THIS EFFORT IT HAS RECRUITED
HANNA DAMASIO,
PROFESSORS
TWO OF THE WORLD’S LEADING
INVESTIGATORS AND AUTHORS IN THE NEUROLOGY OF MIND AND BEHAVIOR. The Damasios bring to USC a notable record of 25 years of
counterproductive; demonstrated that non-conscious
federal and private funding of medical research; brilliant
activity expresses itself in actions, perceptions and
scientific discoveries and influential theorizing; academic
decisions; expanded the understanding of language
distinctions; and team leadership. Additionally, the
processing, face recognition, and learning and memory,
Damasios and their collaborators have elucidated funda-
with a special emphasis on the memory impairments in
mental aspects of the neuroscience of human emotions;
Alzheimer’s disease; and developed new tools for brain
shown how emotions play both positive and negative roles
imaging (e.g. Brainvox, MAP-3).
in decision-making but that their complete absence is
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Brain and Creativity Institute
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The Experts
FAC I L I T I E S
THE BRAIN THE
AND
CREATIVITY INSTITUTE
HEDCO NEUROSCIENCE BUILDING
CAMPUS
OF
IS CURRENTLY HOUSED IN
ON THE
UNIVERSITY PARK
USC.
The Dana and David Dornsife Cognitive Neuroscience
USC is committed to assisting with the recruitment of
Imaging Center, created to investigate the relation between
additional investigators and to developing a dedicated
neural and mental phenomena in humans, and directed by
facility for the Institute. The building will include inter-
Dr. Hanna Damasio is an especially important resource and
active research laboratories, performance spaces, faculty
laboratory for the Institute.
and student offices, and conference rooms. The building
Expansion of space and staff is essential for The Institute to carry out its research agenda and disseminate results.
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Brain and Creativity Institute
is to match, in exciting architectural terms, this unique and innovative interdisciplinary program.