How does cognitive neuroscience relate to earlier attempts to explain brain functioning?
Researchers like Hall, Broca and Fluorens had worked in the 18th and the 19th centuries to map the functions of the human brain. Methods like electrical stimulation and extirpation were used by the researchers to discover the particular parts of the brain that controlled the complex functions.
A hybrid of the neurosciences and the cognitive psychology, called as the cognitive neurosciences, is used by the modern day researchers. The main objective of this study was to understand the correlation between the mental activity and the brain function. Striking advances have been made by the cognitive neuroscience researchers to map the brain functioning.
This has been made possible due to the development of the various imaging techniques. The thought process could alone control the movements of the inanimate things. First such experiment was performed on a paralyzed patient. When the sensors were connected to the motor region of this patient he was able to control the computer as well as the remote of the television.
This person was then able to control the movements such that he could open the e-mails (electronic mails), play video games and perform other computer related activities. Neuroprosthetics is the outcome of such cognitive neuroscience and provides hopes to the specially abled individuals.