Douglas D. Burman

NorthShore University HealthSystem

Douglas D. Burman obtained a Ph.D. in Anatomy (Neuroscience) from the University of Illinois Chicago, USA, in 1987. He completed his postgraduate studies at Yale University, Connecticut, USA, and Northwestern University, Illinois, USA. He is currently Director Emeritus of functional MRI (fMRI) services at NorthShore University Health System, Illinois, USA. Dr. Burman is skilled in electrophysiology, cognitive behavior, fMRI (activation, connectivity), and DTI fiber tracking. He has more than fifty scientific publications to his credit.

2books edited

3chapters authored

Latest work with IntechOpen by Douglas D. Burman

Ever since side effects from bilateral hippocampectomy were identified in Henry Molaison (patient “HM”) during the 1950s, a critical role of the hippocampus has been recognized in the formation of declarative episodic memories. Other cognitive functions have since been proposed, such as a role in navigation, but memory has often been suggested to explain hippocampal involvement. Proving a distinct functional role in cognition is difficult, as memory can be implicated in most cognitive activities. Even when a behavior relies on memory, however, the functionality of the hippocampus extends far beyond, especially evident during activities requiring interactions between cognitive systems. Relational memory is supported by hippocampal connections with widespread regions of the cortex; these interconnections also play a fundamental role in children’s writing abilities and expertise in musical performance. Besides enhancing individual lives, such activities can play a vital role in sustaining cultural values across generations. Interactions with the environment that do not directly depend on mnemonic activity can affect plasticity in hippocampal connections, modified through natural chemicals, pharmacological drugs, and non-pharmacological behaviors. Navigational properties of the hippocampal system are not limited to memory, containing the same navigational elements as our Global Positional System (GPS). Even cognitive deficits arising from hippocampal lesions in “HM” were not limited to memory, as they included deficits in understanding cognitive relationships available in visual scenes, novel sentence contexts, and humorous situations. This book shows an expansive role of the hippocampus in cognition that goes beyond its recognized role in generating new episodic memories.

Go to the book

Hippocampus

Edited by Douglas D. Burman

Books edited

Normal Alert Consciousness

Authored by Douglas D. Burman

Chapters authored

Hippocampal Influences on Movements, Sensory, and Language Processing: A Role in Cognitive Control?

By Douglas D. Burman

Beyond its established role in declarative memory function, the hippocampus has been implicated in varied roles in sensory processing and cognition, particularly those requiring temporal or spatial context. Disentangling its known role in memory from other cognitive functions can be challenging, as memory is directly or indirectly involved in most conscious activities, including tasks that underlie most experimental investigations. Recent work from this lab has examined the directional influence from the hippocampus on cortical areas involved in task performance, including tasks requiring movements, sensory processing, or language judgments. The hippocampus shows preferential connectivity with relevant cortical areas, typically the region critically involved in task performance, raising the possibility that the hippocampus plays a role in cognitive control. Minimal criteria for a role in cognitive control are proposed, and hippocampal connectivity with sensorimotor cortex during a non-mnemonic motor task is shown to meet this standard. Future directions for exploration are discussed.

Part of the book: Hippocampus

Introductory Chapter: A Brief Survey of the Functional Roles of the Hippocampus

By Douglas D. Burman

Part of the book: Hippocampus

Normal Alert Consciousness: A Central Executive Model of Hippocampal Function

By Douglas D. Burman

The relationship between brain and consciousness has been debated since Descartes in the 1500s, new theories arising in the twentieth century with the development of modern neuroscience. All are controversial due to the lack of consensus on the definition of consciousness, what cognitive properties must be explained, and how to evaluate sentience. Most theoretical explanations bear little relationship to our inner conscious experiences. In the current monograph, the normal alert state of consciousness is defined, and components to be explained are delineated. Debunking misconceptions from previous theories and presenting new evidence, a model is proposed whereby the hippocampus plays a central role in executing and coordinating cognitive functions associated with normal alert consciousness. Key elements of the model reflect recent findings that the combined effect from the left and right hippocampus influences other regions involved in performing many or all cognitive tasks while filtering out irrelevant information. Methods are described for testing the model. Finally, implications are discussed for a variety of neurological disorders and philosophophical issues, including free will and the possibility of sentience in artificial intelligence.

Part of the book: Normal Alert Consciousness

Douglas D. Burman

Latest work with IntechOpen by Douglas D. Burman

Hippocampus

Books edited

Normal Alert Consciousness

Chapters authored

Related collaborators

Saeed Vafaei-Nezhad

Wen Li

Haoming Li

Masood Vafaei-Nezhad

Mehri Shadi

Samira Ezi

Guohua Jin

Siwei Xu

Yaya Ji

Tianle Sha