Objectives of the Society
The Memorandum of Society sets out what CNSI exists to promote: research, clinical and academic work that explains how the brain gives rise to the mind, and how the mind in turn acts on the brain.
The purpose set out in the Memorandum
The Memorandum was written with the Indian scenario in mind, and with the scientific and professional interests of the clinicians, academicians and technologists who study, research and practise in brain–mind areas.
It defines cognitive neuroscience broadly. On one side are the emergence and development of cognitive processes in the brain, and the effects of brain lesions on them. On the other is the reverse: the effect that controlling cognitive processes has on the physiology of the brain.
Cognitive processes, in the Society’s definition, include signal acquisition and analysis, the conversion of signals into information, the semantic interpretation of that information, and emotional states and their cognitive evaluation, with and without awareness.
“Cognition is the unique functional property of the brain and the mind is created through cognitive processes.”
Seven objectives
As recorded in the Memorandum of Society and the Inaugural Souvenir of 2015.
- Brain lesions and interventionsThe neurocognitive changes and deficits produced by brain lesions, and by pharmacological, structural and functional interventions in the brain. This is the clinical core of the Society’s work in neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology and psychopharmacology.
- Neurocognitive technologyNeurocognitive technology development, neuroelectronics and neurocomputing models of neurocognitive functions. Cognitive electrophysiology and EEG analysis have been recurring themes of the Society’s symposia and conferences.
- Neurocognitive enhancementDevelopment and application of neurocognitive enhancement programmes, including the study of meditation, sleep and cognitive reserve.
- Forensic neuropsychologyThe origins of criminal behaviour, and the effects of social conditioning on the neurobiological development of behavioural control. CNSI-2020 at the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University was devoted to forensic and clinical applications.
- TrainingPromotion and support of training in clinical, academic and research work in neurorehabilitation, neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience, through workshops such as those held with the Department of Neurophysiology at NIMHANS.
- Sharing knowledgeDisseminating knowledge to professionals, students, teachers and the public through skilled workshops, seminars and public lectures, among them the Cognitive Confluence series and the Cognitive Neuroscience Forums.
- Students and meetingsPartial travel grants for students of neuroscience, neuropsychology and neurocognition to attend national and international conferences, met from the profit generated by Society funds; and yearly meetings of the Society and its Core Groups to share knowledge across sub-specialities.
Disciplines the Society brings together
The Memorandum names the specialities from which an understanding of cognitive processes can come. The Society’s members are drawn from all of them.
- Neurophysiology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Neuropsychology
- Neuropsychiatry
- Forensic neuropsychology
- Psychopharmacology
- Psychophysiology
- Language and speech
- Cognitive electrophysiology
- Neurocomputing
- Movement and music therapies
- Meditation and hypnosis
- Sleep and wakefulness
Members also work in Core Interest Groups on particular areas of these disciplines. The Core Interest Groups.
How the objectives are pursued
The Bye-laws describe the Society’s major activities.
- Scientific support
- Guidance and support for clinical and research work in every cognitive neuroscience domain, offered to members across India.
- International links
- Interaction with international neurocognitive societies through the Society’s members.
- Work under the CNSI umbrella
- Members may conduct clinical services, training, conferences, workshops, seminars and continuing education programmes under the Society’s name.
- Standards and ethics
- A professional body of experts able to prescribe and regulate training programmes, and to offer ethical guidelines for research, clinical neuropsychological services and neuropsychological rehabilitation.
- Meetings and lectures
- Yearly Society and Core Group meetings, national and international conferences, and the Cognitive Confluence lectures at NIMHANS.
- A journal
- The Bye-laws provide for an official journal, the Indian Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, in online and print editions. About the journal.