What is cognitive neuropsychology?

Cognitive neuropsychology is a field that focuses on understanding the brain mechanisms underlying cognitive processes by studying brain function and structure, especially through detailed analysis of individuals with brain injuries. This area of study involves a multidisciplinary approach combining aspects of psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive science. Researchers in cognitive neuropsychology utilize various methods to explore how mental functions such as memory, language, and perception are mapped to specific areas of the brain.

For example, lesion experiments, though limited, have historically helped to identify the regions of the brain associated with certain cognitive functions. The modern approach also involves computational modeling to theorize about the underlying hardware of the brain—how cognitive functions are computed and represented. This helps in conceptualizing both the algorithmic and hardware implementations of cognitive processes, thus paving the way for a more holistic understanding of the brain and its functions [1 ].