The HSE University has launched a center for research on intelligence and cognitive well-being.
HSE University has launched the Center for Research on Intelligence and Cognitive Well-Being. This new division, part of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, aims to become a leader in the field of human cognitive function research. Key scientific priorities include understanding the mechanisms behind cognitive reserve formation (a protective system that prevents and slows negative processes associated with aging and brain pathologies), exploring the neurocognitive foundations of intellectual effectiveness, and conducting psychogenetic studies.
The center is headed by Professor Yuri Shtyrov, a leading researcher and scientific director at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, PhD, and a recognized global expert in neurobiology and cognitive science, with over 150 publications in prominent international journals. Since 2013, Yuri Shtyrov has been conducting research at HSE University and has extensive experience working in foreign universities and research centers, including in Finland, the UK, Sweden, Australia, and Denmark.
“For many years, we have successfully conducted research covering various aspects of the brain's speech functions, particularly bilingualism. However, the scale of our work is growing every year. We are now setting increasingly ambitious goals: studying the functioning of cognitive mechanisms both in normal conditions and during their degradation, pathologies, and aging, as well as developing methods to combat these processes. Additionally, we are investigating the interaction of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors that impact intellectual functions, and seeking new approaches to enhance learning processes,” says Yuri Shtyrov.
The center's researchers will focus on five key areas. Psychogenetics, or behavioral genetics, will make its debut as a separate scientific field at HSE University. Research in this area will explore gene-environment processes related to cognitive functions, psychological well-being, and education. Leading this effort will be international expert in genetics and psychology, Julia Kovas, an honorary professor at Goldsmiths, University of London.
A group led by Olga Shcherbakova, a candidate of psychological sciences and leading researcher at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and St. Petersburg State University, will study the psychological foundations of intellectual success. Important research topics will include the specifics of conceptual thinking, as well as the cognitive architecture of reading and understanding processes, which are undergoing significant transformations in the digital age. Research in this area will help ensure the development of effective cognitive skills that underpin intellectual progress and are critically important for improving the education system.
The third area, focusing on bilingualism and the formation of cognitive reserve, will be led by Djubbin Abutalebi, a professor at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan. This group will investigate the processes of aging and the maintenance of cognitive well-being, which is particularly relevant in light of increasing life expectancy and the gradual aging of the population. Understanding the mechanisms that can slow the manifestation of age-related changes in brain activity may eventually prolong the period of healthy, intellectually active life and reduce the burden on healthcare and social welfare systems.
A group led by leading researcher at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience Andrei Myachikov will study the role of sensory and motor systems in complex cognitive processes, such as understanding words with specific and abstract semantics, grasping the concept of numbers, and mentally manipulating numerical information, as well as the interaction between language categories and general structures of consciousness as a whole.
Finally, another group will be headed by the center's director Yuri Shtyrov. Under his leadership, researchers will investigate the mechanisms of memory and learning using modern methods of neurostimulation and neuroimaging. Understanding how to influence the brain to assist individuals in acquiring information, memorizing new vocabulary, and learning new skills could be valuable not only in educational practices but also in clinical work addressing speech development disorders and the loss of cognitive or mental functions due to injuries and illnesses. Additionally, among the planned areas of study are developmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and the characteristics of perception and social interaction in individuals with ASD.
“Overall, within the framework of the new center, we are researching both intellectual and communicative functions of the brain and the peculiarities of information representation in consciousness. All these aspects align with global scientific trends, and we have managed to assemble a team of the best specialists in these fields,” noted Yuri Shtyrov. “We plan to continue close collaboration with various laboratories at HSE and other Russian research centers, as well as work on the implementation of large-scale national projects, including those aimed at studying the factors of cognitive aging and maintaining cognitive well-being in Russia.”