Dr. Michael Merzenich – Neuromodulation and Neuroplasticity in Reading Related Brain Processes (original) (raw)

An Interview...

Dr. Michael Merzenich is the Chair of Otolaryngology at the Keck Center for Integrative Neurosciences at the University of California at San Francisco. He is a scientist and educator, and founder of Scientific Learning Corporation and Posit Science Corporation, companies that develop therapeutic programs for the neurologically and psychiatrically impaired. Dr. Merzenich is an expert on 'brain plasticity' underlying the development of skills and abilities through experience and learning. Among his awards are the international Ipsen and Zülch Prizes, honoring his work in brain plasticity. Dr. Merzenich is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and is the author of the widely read "On The Brain" blog. Additional bio info

The following interview with Dr. Michael Merzenich was video taped at the offices of Posit Science Corporation in San Francisco, California in July of 2004. Our interview with Dr. Merzenich ranged from how the brain processes bits of sound to how our emotions modulate the processing of complex cognitive tasks, particularly those involved in reading. Of particular importance is our conversation about the processing inefficiencies associated with 'fuzzy' sound representations and their parallels with the inefficiencies associated with processing letter sound confusions.

Note: Dr. Merzenich also appears in the following COTC Video Segments: Reading Matters - Unnatural Confusion - Nature and Nurture - Sensitive Slopes - Emotion and Cognition - Language Foundations

Video: Part 2 of 7: Signal-to-Noise & Language - Neuroplasticity & Sound The entire interview is available for online viewing:
click here for the video index

Note: Remember to click on any word on this page to experience the next evolutionary step in technology supported reading.
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(see 'Interview Notes' for more details). Bold is used to emphasize our [Children of the Code] sense of the importance of what is being said and does not necessarily reflect gestures or tones of emphasis that occurred during the interview.