Comics and studies on brain functions

Micaela Morelli

doi:10.13125/2039-6597/3455

Micaela Morelli University of Cagliari

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13125/2039-6597/3455

Keywords: Comics, Brain functions, Neurosciences, Non-verbal messages,

Abstract

The important role of Comics, in communication related to popular contexts and with people of all ages is undoubted. The meaning of comics goes beyond the pure representation of an image with a text, and this is one of the reasons why Comics have been used, in some instances, to study brain functions related to emotions, humour appreciation, image comprehension and visual language.
In the past 20 years, the availability of instruments that could measure the activity of the brain in vivo has allowed us to develop experimental paradigms aimed at exploring the neural changes related not only to simple behaviours but also to increasingly complex functions such as emotions and consciousness [...]

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Author Biography

Micaela Morelli, University of Cagliari

Professor of Pharmacology, Micaela Morelli, has a long experience in research on drugs active in the central nervous system such as antipsychotics, drugs of abuse and anti-Parkinson drugs. Her preclinical research has focused on the study of motor dysfunctions that characterize Parkinson's disease and their biochemical and molecular correlates. She has also studied the neurotoxic effects of psychostimulants such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy). She is the author of about 210 publications in international journals with impact factor. She performed some of her research at the University of Arizona (Tucson). She is pro-rector of the research of the University of Cagliari and president of the Italian Society of Neurosciences.

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