Michael Merzenich Explained

Michael M. Merzenich
Birth Place:Lebanon, Oregon, U.S.
Profession:Neuroscience
Research Field:Basic and clinical sciences of hearing
Known For:Brain plasticity research[1]
Education:University of Portland (SB)

University of Wisconsin
Work Institutions:University of California, San Francisco
Prizes:National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, Kavli Prize, Russ Prize, Karl Spencer Lashley Award
Birth Name:Michael Matthias Merzenich

Michael Matthias Merzenich[2] (;[3] born 1942 in Lebanon, Oregon) is an American neuroscientist and professor emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco. He took the sensory cortex maps developed by his predecessors (Archie Tunturi, Clinton Woolsey, Vernon Mountcastle, Wade Marshall, and Philip Bard) and refined them using dense micro-electrode mapping techniques. Using this, he definitively showed there to be multiple somatotopic maps of the body in the postcentral sulcus,[4] [5] and multiple tonotopic maps of the acoustic inputs in the superior temporal plane.[6]

He led the cochlear implant team at UCSF,[1] [7] which transferred its technology to Advanced Bionics,[8] and their version is the Clarion cochlear implant.[9] He collaborated with Bill Jenkins and Gregg Recanzone to demonstrate sensory maps are labile into adulthood in animals performing operant sensory tasks.[10] [11] [12] He collaborated with Paula Tallal, Bill Jenkins, and Steve Miller to form the company Scientific Learning.[1] [13] This was based on Fast ForWord software they co-invented that produces improvements in children's language skills that has been related to the magnitude of their temporal processing impairments prior to training,[14] though the program's effectiveness is disputed.[15] [16]

Merzenich was director and Chief Scientific Officer of Scientific Learning between November 1996 and January 2003. Merzenich took two sabbaticals from UCSF, in 1997 and 2004. In 1997 he led research teams at Scientific Learning Corporation, and in 2004 at Posit Science Corporation. Currently, Merzenich's second company, Posit Science Corporation, is working on a broad range of behavioral therapies. Their lead product is a brain-training application called BrainHQ (TM).[17] Merzenich is Chief Scientific Officer, and on the Board of Directors, at Posit Science.

Early life and education

Born in Lebanon, Oregon in 1942,[18] [19] Merzenich grew up fascinated by science. He attended the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon earning his Bachelor of Science in 1964.[1] Here, he was valedictorian, receiving only one non-A, a C in a philosophy course in which he argued with the instructor. In 1968 he earned his PhD in Physiology at Johns Hopkins Medical School in the lab of Vernon Mountcastle, studying neural coding of stimulus magnitude in the hairy skin.[20] He left Johns Hopkins to conduct his postdoctoral studies at the University of Wisconsin under Jerzy Rose. There, he did a cross-species analysis of the cochlear nucleus in large game cats and pinnipeds, did the first auditory cortical microelectrode maps in the macaque with John Brugge, and the first somatosensory maps in the macaque with neurosurgeon Ron Paul. He earned his neurophysiology fellowship between 1968 and 1971. He left Wisconsin to join the faculty at UCSF as the only basic scientist in the clinical Otolaryngology department, head and neck surgery.[21] [22] Merzenich started with UCSF in 1971 as faculty member becoming full professor in 1980. Merzenich was Co-Director at the Coleman Memorial Laboratory where he conducted research on the cerebral cortex. He was also the Francis A. Sooy Chair of Otolaryngology, in the Keck Center for Integrative Neurosciences at UCSF.[13] His research examines neurological illness, learning processes and the neurological processes of the cerebral cortex.[21] He remains in the same department, now as a professor emeritus, retiring in 2007.[1]

Research on Brain Plasticity

Merzenich has collaborated in numerous studies researching brain plasticity. In February 2004, Merzenich gave a TED talk titled “Growing evidence of brain plasticity” which outlines the basic findings of his research.[23] Merzenich has helped to identify two distinct periods of brain plasticity: The Critical Period and the period of Adult Plasticity. The Infant Critical Period is when a child’s brain establishes neural processes for the stimuli to which it is presented. The Adult Plasticity period is when the brain refines its neural processes as it masters a variety of tasks.[24]

Understanding how the brain can re-wire itself has allowed Merzenich, Tallal, and other colleagues to develop strategies intended to remediate individuals with any speech, language, and reading deficits.[25] Through research in experience dependent learning with non-human primates, neurophysiologists including Merzenich have demonstrated that neuroplasticity remains through adulthood.[23] [24] [25] [26] Further studies with monkeys suggested that the Hebbian learning principles that drive neuroplasticity can be used to treat learning-language impaired children.[24] [25] [26]

Dr. James T. Todd, a professor of psychology, has criticized Michael Merzenich for using the term "miraculous" to describe evidence allegedly supporting the rapid prompting method, claiming that scientific outliers are hard to analyze in the laboratory and replicate. Todd says that it is always important to question scientific outliers.[27]

Awards

In May 1999, Merzenich was honored by election into the National Academy of Sciences for his research on brain plasticity.[13] [28]

He went on to be elected to the National Academy's Institute of Medicine in 2008, making him one of a very select few to have been elected to more than one of the National Academies.[29]

As of 2001, he received the Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions. He has been awarded the International Ipsen Prize,

In 2015, the National Academy of Engineering awarded Dr. Merzenich the Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize, the most prestigious award in bioengineering, for his work on cochlear implants.[30] [31] In 2016 he was awarded one of the world's top neuroscience prizes, the Kavli Prize,[32] for his achievements in the field of brain plasticity.

Merzenich has published more than 200 articles.

His work is also often covered in the popular press, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time and Newsweek.

He has appeared on Sixty Minutes II, CBS Evening News and Good Morning America. His work has been featured on four PBS specials and the ABC Australia documentary "Redesign My Brain" (which aired on Discovery Channel as "Hack My Brain" in the United States.)

He holds nearly 100 US patents.[33]

Federal grants

Federal grant awards Michael Merzenich leading researcher
Year Grant abstract Citation Recipient organization Granted by Amount Inflationary conversion
2005–2006 Brain plasticity based training for focal dystonia [34] Posit Science Corporation $195,727 $
2001–2005 Auditory and somatosensory cortex Javits grant [35] $1,662,734 $
2005 Brain plasticity based training for Schizophrenia Fast-Track proposal[36] Posit Science Corporation $139,811 $
2005 Brain plasticity rehabilitaton of visual cognition [37] Posit Science Corporation $97,350 $
1996–2000 Functional organization of auditory somatosensory cortex [38] $1,245,234 $
1992–1995 Design Of Pediatric Cochlear Implants [39] $1,097,866 $
1981–1995Functional Organization Of The Central Auditory System[40] $1,324,202 $
1987 Sensory Disorders And Language Study Section [41] U.S. PHS PUBLIC ADVISORY GROUPS – –
1987 Scala Tympani Electrode Arrays [42] – –
1977–1980 Development Of An Acoustic Prosthesis [43] – –
1980–1982 Develop Electrodes For Auditory Prosthesis [44] – –
1975–1980 Functional Organization Of The Auditory System [45] – –
1977–1980 Develop Multichannel Electrodes For Auditory Prosthesis [46] – –
1972–1974Studies On Organization Of Central Auditory System [47] – –

Patents and inventions

Merzenich holds nearly 100 U.S. patents. Along with Peter B. Delahunt, Joseph L. Hardy, Henry W. Mahncke, and Donald Richards hold the patent for visual emphasis for cognitive training exercises.[48] This patent explores a computer system of visual learning. The participant observes a scene which shows at least one foreground object against a background. The background or foreground are modified to enhance the participants response to achieve a correct response in an iterative basis.[49]

Published works

Merzenich has contributed to over 232 publications.[50]

Book editor

Further reading

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Michael M. Merzenich, Ph.D. – Posit Science Corporation University of California at San Francisco . Posit Science . 2014 . 2009-01-02.
  2. Book: Conferring of Degrees at the close of the ninety-second academic year . Doctors of Philosophy in The School of Medicine with titles of dissertations . 11 June 1968 . 28 . The Johns Hopkins University . Baltimore, Maryland . 4 November 2020.
  3. Web site: Dr. Michael Merzenich: Neuromodulation and Neuroplasticity in Reading Related Brain Processes -1. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/JjsogXrhOwc . 2021-12-19 . live. . 21 June 2020.
  4. Paul . R.L. . Merzenich . M. & H. Goodman . Representation of slowly and rapidly adapting cutaneous mechanoreceptors of the hand in Brodmann's areas 3 and 1 of Macaca mulatta. . Brain Research . 36 . 2 . 229–49 . 1972 . 10.1016/0006-8993(72)90732-9 . 4621596.
  5. Merzenich . M.M. . Kaas . M., M. Sur and C.S. Lin . Double representation of the body surface within cytoarchitectonic areas 3b and 2 in Sl in the owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus) . J. Comp. Neurol. . 181 . Listed in the bibliography for Abstract 11:965 . 41–73 . 1978 . 10.1002/cne.901810104 . 98537 . 12388135 .
  6. Brain Research 50:275-96 1973
  7. Med. Biol. Eng. Computing 21:241–54 1983
  8. Web site: BionicEar.com – Harmony Cochlear Implant by Advanced Bionics . Advanced Bionics. . 2009 . 2009-01-02 .
  9. Web site: BionicEar.com – Harmony Cochlear Implant by Advanced Bionics . Advanced Bionics. . 2009 . 2009-01-02 .
  10. Jenkins . W.M. . Merzenich . M.M., M. T. Ochs, T. Allard and E. Guic-Robles . Functional reorganization of primary somatosensory cortex in adult owl monkeys after behaviorally controlled tactile stimulation . J Neurophysiol . 63 . 1 . 82–104 . 1990 . 10.1152/jn.1990.63.1.82 . 2299388 . 3954439 .
  11. J. Neurophysiol. 67:1031–56 1992
  12. J. Neurosci. 13:87–103 1993
  13. Web site: Michael M. Merzenich Scientific Learning . Scientific Learning Corporation. . 1997–2009 . 2009-01-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090108053443/http://www.scilearn.com./our-approach/our-scientists/merzenich/index.php . 2009-01-08 . dead .
  14. Science 271:77–84 1996
  15. Strong GK, Torgerson CJ, Torgerson D, Hulme C . March 2011 . A systematic meta-analytic review of evidence for the effectiveness of the 'Fast ForWord' language intervention program . J Child Psychol Psychiatry . 52 . 3 . 224–35 . 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2010.02329.x . 3061204 . 20950285.
  16. Simons . DJ . Boot . WR . Charness . N . Gathercole . SE . Chabris . CF . Hambrick . DZ . Stine-Morrow . EA . October 2016 . Do "Brain-Training" Programs Work? . Psychological Science in the Public Interest . 17 . 3 . 103–86 . 10.1177/1529100616661983 . 27697851.
  17. http://www.brainhq.com BrainHQ
  18. Web site: Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions: Michael M. Merzenich. . PsycARTICLES: Citation and Abstract . American Psychologist. Vol 56(11), Nov 2001, 878–881. . 2009-01-02 . This is an article which requires purchase
  19. A Childhood in the Sticks, author MM Merzenich
  20. Exp. Brain Res. 10:251-64 1970
  21. Web site: OHNS – Faculty Profiles . Faculty profiles . 2003 . 2009-01-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080930085810/http://ohns.ucsf.edu/aboutus/profile_details.asp?ProfileId=13 . September 30, 2008 .
  22. http://otolaryngology.ucsf.edu/research/ OHNS at UCSF
  23. Web site: Michael Merzenich: Growing evidence of brain plasticity. TED. 28 April 2009 . TED Conferences LLC. 2016-02-19.
  24. Merzenich. M.. Jenkins. W.M.. Cortical plasticity, learning, and learning dysfunction.. Maturational Windows and Adult Cortical Plasticity. 1995. 23. 247–271.
  25. Merzenich. M.. Tallal. P.. Peterson. B.. Miller. S.L.. Jenkins. W.M.. Some neurological principles relevant to the origins of - and the cortical plasticity based remediation of - language learning impairments. Neuroplasticity: Building a Bridge from the Laboratory to the Clinic. 1999. 169–187. 10.1007/978-3-642-59897-5_12.
  26. Merzenich. M.M.. Jenkins. W.M.. Johnston. P.. Schreiner. C.. Miller. S.L.. Tallal. P. . Temporal processing deficits of language-learning impaired children ameliorated by training. Science. 1996. 111. 5245. 77–81. 10.1126/science.271.5245.77. 8539603. 1996Sci...271...77M. 24141773.
  27. Book: Todd, James T. . Controversial Therapies for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities: Fad, Fashion, and Science in Professional Practice . 2015 . Routledge . 978-1-317-62383-0 . 375 . 8 July 2019 . en.
  28. Web site: Michael M. Merzenich Profile - Forbes.com . Forbes . 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081017074025/http://people.forbes.com/profile/michael-m-merzenich/70496 . dead . October 17, 2008 . 2009-01-02 .
  29. http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news-1/Merzenich-Elected-to-Institute-of-Medicine-27287-1/
  30. Web site: Dr. Michael M. Merzenich. Russ Prize Website. National Academy of Engineering. 19 October 2016.
  31. News: Farley. Pete. UCSF's Merzenich Wins Russ Prize, Bioengineering's Highest Honor. 19 October 2016. UCSF News Center. University of California San Francisco. 7 January 2015.
  32. Web site: Michael Merzenich Wins 2016 Kavli Prize in Neuroscience. UC San Francisco. 2 June 2016 . 2016-07-27.
  33. http://www.amphilsoc.org/prizes/lashley.htm Lashley Award Recipients
  34. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Brain Plasticity Based Training for Focal Dystonia . 2009-01-02 .
  35. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Auditory and somatosensory cortex . 2009-01-02 .
  36. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Brain plasticity based training for Schizophrenia . 2009-01-02 .
  37. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Brain plasticity rehabilitaton of visual cognition . 2009-01-02 .
  38. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Functional organization of auditory somatosensory cortex . 2009-01-02 .
  39. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Design Of Pediatric Cochlear Implants . 2009-01-02 .
  40. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Functional Organization Of The Central Auditory System . 2009-01-02 .
  41. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Sensory Disorders And Language Study Section . 2009-01-02 .
  42. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Scala Tympani Electrode Arrays . 2009-01-02 .
  43. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Development Of An Acoustic Prosthesis . 2009-01-02 .
  44. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Develop Electrodes For Auditory Prosthesis . 2009-01-02 .
  45. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Functional Organization Of The Auditory System . 2009-01-02 .
  46. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Develop Multichannel Electrodes For Auditory Prosthesisunctional Organization Of The Auditory System . 2009-01-02 .
  47. Web site: ResearchCrossroads Research Grant Studies On Organization Of Central Auditory System . 2009-01-02 .
  48. Web site: Michael M. Merzenich – Patents & Inventors . FreshContext LLC/Freshpatents.com . 2008 . 2009-01-02.
  49. Web site: Visual emphasis for cognitive training exercises . Patent #20080084427 . FreshContext LLC/Freshpatents.com . 2008 . 2009-01-02.
  50. Web site: merzenich – PubMed Results . PubMed . U.S. National Library of Medicine . 2003 . 2009-01-02 .
  51. Book: Merzenich. Dr. Michael. Soft-wired : how the new science of brain plasticity can change your life. 2013. Parnassus Pub.. San Francisco, Calif.. 978-0-9894328-2-5. 2nd. 9 September 2014.
  52. Web site: Ellison . Katherine . Video Games vs. the Aging Brain Aging . DISCOVER Magazine . May 21, 2007 . 2009-01-03.

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