Uncovering the Information Processing Underlying the Interactions Between Brain Areas

Description

The main aim of the project is to understand the role of oscillatory synchronization in information processing by combining cognitive modelling with a cognitive architecture with a dynamical systems analysis of EEG recorded during the same task. We have previously shown that a cognitive architecture can be used to help interpret patterns of interaction between brain oscillations in a specific attention task. This project seeks to extend this approach to different tasks. In particular, we will focus on the complex working memory task, which involves many instances of information transfer between different modules of the cognitive architecture. Since we expect that each instance of information transfer is associated with a pattern of oscillatory synchronization between electrodes overlying the respective brain areas, we should be able to observe that empirically. We will then generalize these findings by decomposing the EEG in a system of coupled oscillators (which can become synchronized and desynchronized, similar to the observed electrodes). The stable states and state transitions of these oscillators will be analyzed and linked back to the cognitive model. Eventually we hope to develop a general-purpose "brain-activity parser" that can predict cognitive mechanisms from an observed pattern of oscillatory synchronization between brain areas in any cognitive task.

Projectleader

Ming Cao        

Funding

ERC starting grant, 1st geldstroom