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Neal J Cohen

Professor

Research Interests

Interdisciplinary, cognitive neuroscience study of human learning and memory, with a focus on identifying and characterizing the brain's multiple memory systems. Particular emphasis is on study of the hippocampal (or medial temporal lobe ) memory system, through the study of the memory impairments seen in patients with amnesia. Empirical work combines cognitive neuropsychological, eye movement, fMRI, and ERP studies of various memory performances in normal and neuropsychological populations, together with computational modeling of memory. The overall goal of this research is to better understand the componential organization of memory, and to make progress in mapping the functional architecture of memory onto its neurobiological substrates.

Research Description

Interdisciplinary, cognitive neuroscience study of human learning and memory, with a focus on identifying and characterizing the brain's multiple memory systems. Particular emphasis is on study of the hippocampal (or medial temporal lobe ) memory system, through the study of the memory impairments seen in patients with amnesia. Empirical work combines cognitive neuropsychological, eye movement, fMRI, and ERP studies of various memory performances in normal and neuropsychological populations, together with computational modeling of memory. The overall goal of this research is to better understand the componential organization of memory, and to make progress in mapping the functional architecture of memory onto its neurobiological substrates.

Education

Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego

Additional Campus Affiliations

Professor, Psychology
Professor, Biomedical and Translational Sciences
Affiliate, Center for Social & Behavioral Science
Affiliate, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute

Recent Publications

Cannavale, C. N., Mysonhimer, A. R., Bailey, M. A., Cohen, N. J., Holscher, H. D., & Khan, N. A. (2023). Consumption of a fermented dairy beverage improves hippocampal-dependent relational memory in a randomized, controlled cross-over trial. Nutritional Neuroscience, 26(3), 265-274. https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2022.2046963

Cannavale, C. N., Keye, S. A., Rosok, L. M., Martell, S. G., Holthaus, T. A., Raine, L. R., Mullen, S. P., Holscher, H. D., Hillman, C. H., Kramer, A. F., Cohen, N. J., Hammond, B. R., Renzi-Hammond, L., & Khan, N. A. (2023). Macular Pigment Optical Density and Skin Carotenoids in a Childhood Sample. Journal of Nutrition, 153(10), 3144-3151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.06.006

Lucas, H. D., Daugherty, A. M., McAuley, E., Kramer, A. F., & Cohen, N. J. (2023). Dynamic Interactions Between Memory and Viewing Behaviors: Insights From Dyadic Modeling of Eye Movements. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 49(6), 786-801. https://doi.org/10.1037/xhp0001123

Vauzour, D., Scholey, A., White, D. J., Cohen, N. J., Cassidy, A., Gillings, R., Irvine, M. A., Kay, C. D., Kim, M., King, R., Legido-Quigley, C., Potter, J. F., Schwarb, H., & Minihane, A. M. (2023). A combined DHA-rich fish oil and cocoa flavanols intervention does not improve cognition or brain structure in older adults with memory complaints: results from the CANN randomized, controlled parallel-design study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 118(2), 369-381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.06.008

Cannavale, C. N., Keye, S. A., Rosok, L., Martell, S., Holthaus, T. A., Reeser, G., Raine, L. B., Mullen, S. P., Cohen, N. J., Hillman, C. H., Hammond, B. R., Renzi-Hammond, L., & Khan, N. A. (2022). Enhancing children's cognitive function and achievement through carotenoid consumption: The Integrated Childhood Ocular Nutrition Study (iCONS) protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 122, Article 106964. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2022.106964

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