Event

The Department of Physics hosts an open lecture by visiting lecturer Professor James Swithenby titled Imaging thought – Can we read minds?

The lecture takes place from 1.30 to 2.30pm.

Abstract

Over the last two decades, the cutting edge of brain imaging has shifted from anatomy to activity. The new imaging methods allow us to observe which parts of the brain 'light up' during specific tasks or mental states. I will introduce these methods and illustrate their use. I will then explain how the technique of magetoencephalography MEG is providing a new window on the brain with spectacular long term potential. MEG has excellent time resolution and is providing insights into the choreography of thought. We are beginning to unravel how people think and how specific dysfunctions originate. The talk will be illustrated by examples drawn from recent studies on autism, mathematical processing and 'shopping'. I hope to convince you that the products of physics labs continue to be of huge importance in tackling important contemporary problems.

About Professor Swithenby

Professor Swithenby obtained B.A. and D.Phil. at Oxford in Natural Sciences (Physics) working on solid state physics - magnetic insulators. Subsequently there were postdocs at Oxford and Sussex working on Superconducting Quantum Interference Device SQUID development. He was the first to construct working SQUID devices in the UK. In the late 70s he moved on to the Open University in th ecapacity of Dean of Science, Chair of Deans, and Director of several Teaching centres. While there he and set up the Biomagnetism Research Group which aimed to exploit SQUIDs in biological contexts. As a result he was heavily involved in developing the relevant SQUID instruments and the associated imaging algorithms. He looked at the development of chicks, non-healing bones, and the human brain. During the last 15 years, he has concentrated on brain applications and has studied autism, maths processing, language processing, neuromarketing, and recently, obsessive compulsive disorder. He is now heavily involved in university development in Africa.