Synesthesia is a fascinating phenomenon in which a particular perception induces a concurrent perception resulting in a kind of double perception. This phenomenon has received considerable attention in the last 15 years by neuroscientists and cognitive psychologists. Here I will summarize and discuss some of the main findings and ideas from this research from the perspective of our research. First, I will discuss the main neurophysiological models trying to explain this extraordinary phenomenon. Secondly, I will describe the findings trying to delineate the time course of synesthetic perception in relation to the associated neurophysiological models. Finally, current findings reporting specific and general neuroanatomical features of the synesthete‘s brain will be discussed. These findings will be integrated into the current models about the neurophysiological underpinnings of synesthesia.
Prof. Jäncke received his doctorate in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Psychology at the University of Düsseldorf in 1989. After his PhD study Prof. Jäncke has worked as Assistant Professor (C1) of Experimental Psychology at the University of Düsseldorf, as visiting scientist at the Department of Neurology and Radiology, Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School and as Senior Researcher at the Research Center Julich. From 1997 to 2002 he was appointed as C4 Professor for Experimental Psychology at the University of Magdeburg. Since 2002 he is Ordinarius Professor for Neuropsychology at the University Zürich.
The lecture will take place on March 31, 2015 from 17:15 to 18:15 hours in Hörsaal H1, Turmgebäude.
Host: Prof. Dr. Thomas Münte
Department of Neurology
University of Lübeck
