Page 16 - Establishing the Institute for Brain and Neural Sciences

Creativity, optimism, resilience, neuroprotection, and other ‘positive’ cognitive and physiological phenomena lie at the core of our ability to ourish as sophisticated human beings regardless of, or even despite, our circumstances. Evolutionary biologists point to positive a ective capacities such as altruism, courage, and cooperation as sparking a kind of collaborative synergy between people that has promoted humanity’s perserverance on Earth.
4 CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON POSITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
How can we apply the tools of T
neuroscience to understand well-being, intelligence, and other positive psychological concepts that help improve our ability to cope with and enrich our lives?
his center will launch
investigations in the emerging eld of positive neuroscience through empirical research on optimal or exceptional brain functioning—from our resilience to the stresses of modern life and individual di erences in how we overcome injuries and age-related de cits, to the most outstanding examples of human intelligence and social collaboration. Research in this center will consider how to harness what we learn about the brain to improve teaching and educational strategies. Researchers will employ a variety of neuroimaging, molecular, and genomics techniques, as well as advanced behavioral modeling, toward an overarching goal of ensuring the vibrant functioning of the human brain.
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