Prevalent views of higher brain functions are based on the notions of computation and information processing. These views suggest that the brain is a Turing machine. Various lines of evidence appear to be incompatible with this position and suggest instead that the brain operates according to a set of selectional principles. A theory addressing these principles, called Neural Darwinism, will be discussed. Neural Darwinism has a direct bearing on the search for neural correlates of consciousness. I will consider what kinds of neural processes can account for key properties of conscious experience such as its unity and its diversity and will present supporting evidence on the neural correlates of consciousness obtained from MEG studies of human subjects. A case will be made for widening theories of knowledge to include brain-based epistemology. In order to study detailed neural dynamics during behavior, devices based on Neural Darwinism have been constructed. These brain-based devices (BBDs) are capable of conditioned learning and episodic memory. Refinement of their design and behavior points to the possibility of constructing a conscious artifact.

Our human brain is one of the most complex organs which we know very little. In 21st Century, we are still exploring our brain, how it looks and how it works. Fortunately, our modern science allowed us to look and investigate our human brain without invasive procedures such as cutting and dissecting, thanks to the modern Sciences and Technology. For example, with help of Positron Emission Tomographic (PET) scanner, now scientists can study molecular and chemical changes in the brain that are taking place while one is in conversation with another persons, totally in noninvasive manner. Another modern scientific tool that is essential for the study of human brain is the well known magnetic resonance imaging or simply known as MRI. MRI is a brain imaging tool with which one can study many details of our brain without invasive procedures and is able to show such as where they are and how they are functioning, in live. Both PET and MRI are now developed to a highly sophisticated level requiring great deal of expertise and expenses. They are, therefore, not readily available for ordinary scientists and investigators. These tools now provide most essential information on our survivals, such as early detection of cancerous tumors or early diagnosis of deadly neurodegenerative diseases such as Strokes, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer, not to mention numerous cognitive impairments and mental diseases our human confronted in this modern time.
In this talk, I will deliver a few of those examples that can be studied with modern brain imaging tools such as PET and ultra high field MRI.

Unfortunately, as Alzheimer's disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience. When the time comes, I am confident that with your help she will face it with faith and courage.

The above is from the letter that former President of the Unites States (1981-1989) Mr. Ronald Reagan wrote to the American people in November 1994 when he learned that he had Alzheimer's disease. The presence of the U.S. in the Cold War era as well as its economy were greatly strengthened under President Reagan, who was one of America's most beloved presidents.

However, after his service, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a form of dementia which provokes a degradation of the brain. In the hope of raising public awareness on the devastating condition, he made his illness public. In 1995, with his wife Nancy, he founded the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute, and actively supported research related to Alzheimer's disease in his remaining years. He passed away in 2004 after a 10 year battle with the disease.

President Reagan's son, Ron Reagan, who has followed the steps of his late father in his active campaign to find ways to treat Alzheimer's disease, will visit Korea for the first time to meet Alzheimer's patients and their families in Korea. The special session with actor and radio and TV talk show host Ron Reagan will give warm consolation and new hope to many individuals and families affected by the illness.

Intelligence designates the overall human capacity to solve problems through learning, memorizing, and remembering what one has learned and memorized, and to respond to perceptions. In other words, intelligence is the comprehensive ability of humans to think. Animals also have intelligence, but it is incomparably inferior to that of humans. Thus, intelligence would be the biggest element that differentiates humans from animals. If that is the case, then how is intelligence formed, and what dictates it? How is it affected by exterior, environmental factors? This session will discuss the recent accomplishments in the research on the factors that determine intelligence as well as the future direction of such research.

The two most important factors that determine human intelligence are learning and memory. The ability to learn is not only hereditary but is also affected by diverse learning conditions. In the case of memory, recent studies show that it can also be improved with adequate external stimuli. This session will feature research results by world's specialists on what are the genetic factors that define learning and memory, and what external factors can improve them.

Dementia is the phenomenon whereby the cognitive functioning of the brain such as intelligence, will, memory, etc., deteriorates following the loss of nerve cells and the shrinkage of brain tissue. Parkinson's Disease in particular is a neurological disorder caused by the decrease in dopamine production in the substantia nigra. With the ageing of the world's population, Parkinson's Disease and dementia are on the rise, becoming the leading brain diseases of the 21st century, and countries all over the world are actively pursuing research to find a cure. What are the effective treatments for dementia and Parkinson's Disease? Can they be prevented? In this session, we will hear the response to these questions from world authorities on dementia research.

Will artificial intelligence surpass human intelligence? The ultimate goal of the robot industry in the 21st century is to produce robots that function the same way as humans, that is, see, hear, speak, think and act on its own through artificial intelligence. In this objective, much research connecting the human capacities of sight, perception and autonomous movement with computers is being conducted, with remarkable accomplishments. Few examples Miguel Nicoleis's success in making a monkey move robot arms by implanting electric terminals in its brain, Philip Kennedy's success in recovering the communication skills of a patient suffering general paralysis by implanting a silicon chip in his brain, and the research team of Germany's Humboldt University whereby typing without a keyboard was rendered possible by connecting the brain to the computer cursor. In addition to research connecting the brain to machines, development of independent artificial intelligence simulating human brain functions is also producing notable results. This session will review the recent accomplishments of various researches, and forecast the future of artificial intelligence.

Humans endlessly receive information from the outside when they are awake, are aware that they are receiving information, and endlessly make subjective judgments on the information received. The totality of such human sensations, perceptions, ideas, attitudes and feelings is called consciousness. For example, let's say that one sees a flower and feels that it's beautiful, and then goes on to think about his/her beloved one. The person is aware that he/she is looking at the flower, and at the same time is reminded of the beloved person based on a personal experience. That is consciousness. Only humans possess self-awareness, and thus consciousness. How is consciousness formed, and how can it be proven scientifically? How can philosophy which is linked to consciousness be understood and approached? This session will seek to find the answers to such questions with the world's authorities in the domain.

What makes us act the way we do?
What pushes us to pursue a comfortable life and devote ourselves to our duties?
What makes us get angry in the face of injustice, and fall helplessly and passionately in love?

Bernard Werber, the author of the "Empire of the Ants," claims that the source of all of the above desires is a 145cm²-sized pink and grey matter, Man's brain. A world where Alzheimer's Disease is treated by applying electric current to a chip implanted in the brain, and physically handicapped persons make computers move also through chips in their brains - the power of imagination has made such a world a reality today. In the era of rapid changes that we are living in, imagination also allows us to foresee the future and find creative ways to deal with the changes.

Bernard Werber has 700,000 members in his fan club in Korea alone where he is a ‘cultural icon' and cited by college students as ‘the person they want to be like the most' along with Bill Gates and Alvin Toffler. Discover the "Ultimate Secret" of imagination with the genius of imagination himself, Bernard Werber.

Human perception, behavior and consciousness are results of the brain's functioning. Neuroscience seeks to unveil the mysteries surrounding the brain's structure and functions in order to understand the physiology of the human mind. Therefore, neuroscience cannot but affect the sciences that explore the human mind. It forms the groundwork on which human violence, altruism, morality, addiction, etc. can be explained. Furthermore, it fuses with philosophy, theology, ethics, and sociology to open new doors in human sciences. This special session on neuroscience will examine the link between neuroscience and the human sciences.

The brain is an organ of decision making. In order to choose actions that will maximize the chance of survival and reproduction, the brain has to recognize the animal's environment and choose appropriate actions within it. Traditionally, formal theories and cognitive mechanisms of decision making have been studied largely separately in economics and psychology. Neuroeconomics embraces both of these disciplines and unites them with neurobiological studies of brain's reward system involved in outcome monitoring and action selection. Non-invasive neuroimaging studies can investigate the brain activity of humans during complex financial and social decision making. Results from these studies often find practical applications such as neuro-marketing. In addition, animal studies advance our basic knowledge of the brain's reward system. By elucidating the biological basis of our values and preferences, neuroeconomics provides unique insights into many fundamental questions on human behavior.