Overview

The Section on Cognitive Neurophysiology and Imaging (SCNI) studies brain mechanisms underlying visual perception. We approach this by asking two broad questions:

1. How do visual regions of the cerebral cortex operate during natural modes of experience? In contrast to conventional stimulus presentation, this approach involves immersion in a full-field visual scene, interaction with the 3D real-world geometry, and the active perception of dynamic social behaviors.
2. How does early life visual experience shape the development and operation of specialized neural circuits? Of particular interest are circuits dedicated to analyzing certain types of social information, such as facial identity, emotional expression, and bodily actions.

Contact Information

Dr. David Leopold, Chief
Section on Cognitive Neurophysiology and Imaging
Systems Neurodevelopment Laboratory
National Institute of Mental Health
Building 49, Room 1E21, MSC 4400
49 Convent Dr., Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
Email: leopoldd@mail.nih.gov