Domains of higher cognition, such as language and mathematics, are predominantly developed in humans. We are currently pursuing a range of research projects on the neural basis of human cognitive function. In mathematical cognition, we are currently exploring the effects of age, gender and genetics on more basic as well as applied domains of number processing.

Other projects aim at identifying the neural basis of language and to delineate processing differences and commonalities with the number processing system. Recently, we are exploring the impact of interindividual differences on the activation of brain areas involved in higher cognition. With this approach, we hope to identify the potentials and limits of the human cognitive faculty.

Selected Publications:

Pletzer, B., Wood, G., Moeller, K., Nuerk, H.C., & Kerschbaum, H.H. (2010). Predictors of performance in a real-life statistics examination depend on the individual cortisol profile. Biological Psychology, 85, 410-416.

Wood, G., Ischebeck, A., Koppelstaetter, F., Gotwald, T., & Kaufmann, L. (2009). Developmental trajectories of magnitude processing and interference control: an FMRI study. Cerebral Cortex,19, 2755-2765.

Koten, J.W. Jr, Wood, G., Hagoort, P., Goebel, R., Propping, P., Willmes, K.,&  Boomsma, D.I. (2009). Genetic contribution to variation in cognitive function: an FMRI study in twins. Science, 323, 1737-1740.

Wood, G., Nuerk, H.C., Sturm, D.,  & Willmes, K. (2008).Using parametric regressors to disentangle properties of multi-feature processes. Behavioral Brain Functions, 4,38.