Testing the ghost with the machine: Empirical investigations of cognition using high-field functional magnetic resonance imaging. The primary aim of the project is to test hypotheses about the cognitive architecture of word production and negative priming using high-field functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Additional aims/outcomes are to apply a novel fMRI acquisition sequence that permits overt verbal responding with rapid presentation of trials and collection of the time course of t ....Testing the ghost with the machine: Empirical investigations of cognition using high-field functional magnetic resonance imaging. The primary aim of the project is to test hypotheses about the cognitive architecture of word production and negative priming using high-field functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Additional aims/outcomes are to apply a novel fMRI acquisition sequence that permits overt verbal responding with rapid presentation of trials and collection of the time course of the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal, and to further develop a methodology that delineates the logic of making inferences about cognitive systems from functional neuroimaging data. These represent potentially significant developments in the fields of cognitive neuroscience and functional neuroimaging.Read moreRead less
Testing posterior parietal cortex contributions to human episodic memory. This project aims to determine the involvement of parietal brain regions for episodic memory. Using novel experimental tasks and multimodal neuroimaging techniques in young and healthy aging, this project expects to clarify the role of posterior parietal structures, and their interactions with core memory structures, during memory retrieval. Expected outcomes include advanced understanding of how we remember the past in ri ....Testing posterior parietal cortex contributions to human episodic memory. This project aims to determine the involvement of parietal brain regions for episodic memory. Using novel experimental tasks and multimodal neuroimaging techniques in young and healthy aging, this project expects to clarify the role of posterior parietal structures, and their interactions with core memory structures, during memory retrieval. Expected outcomes include advanced understanding of how we remember the past in rich contextual detail, and how such processes are altered in healthy aging. This potentially provides significant benefits in predicting and treating memory dysfunction due to brain injury or neurodegeneration.Read moreRead less
Human hippocampus subregions organisation and associative memory processes. This proposal will investigate the hippocampus, a highly inter-connected structure containing many subregions. Although considered the memory centre of the brain, we still do not know the exact roles of these subregions during memory processes. Using novel brain neuroimaging acquisition methods and analyses, this project aims to map the internal structure and functions of the hippocampus and its functional networks under ....Human hippocampus subregions organisation and associative memory processes. This proposal will investigate the hippocampus, a highly inter-connected structure containing many subregions. Although considered the memory centre of the brain, we still do not know the exact roles of these subregions during memory processes. Using novel brain neuroimaging acquisition methods and analyses, this project aims to map the internal structure and functions of the hippocampus and its functional networks under different memory conditions and how these functions change with age. The intended outcome of this proposal is to provide the foundations for the first integrated model of human memory and its biological basis and to generate a benchmark against which future development of memory interventions and retraining can be measured.Read moreRead less
Charting age-related changes in the quality of episodic memory. As we get older, our capacity to remember events in rich detail becomes less efficient. The mechanisms driving these changes remain unclear, severely limiting our capacity to accurately assess and optimise memory function in later years. This project aims to determine how memory accuracy and memory quality change across the adult lifespan using cutting-edge experimental and neuroimaging techniques. It will deliver new insights into ....Charting age-related changes in the quality of episodic memory. As we get older, our capacity to remember events in rich detail becomes less efficient. The mechanisms driving these changes remain unclear, severely limiting our capacity to accurately assess and optimise memory function in later years. This project aims to determine how memory accuracy and memory quality change across the adult lifespan using cutting-edge experimental and neuroimaging techniques. It will deliver new insights into the relationship between confidence, memory success and memory quality, and the underlying neural substrates of these processes. This work will provide the essential empirical foundation to augment memory function, ensuring that older adults can continue to participate as active members of society.Read moreRead less
Individualised predictions of circadian timing, sleep, and performance. The body's 24-hour clock regulates when we feel sleepy or alert. In shift workers, disrupted sleep and rhythms leads to fatigue and costly, often deadly, workplace accidents. Existing methods for measuring body clock timing are costly, impractical for operational settings, and do not work in real time. Using a shift-worker population, this project will develop models that accurately predict body timing, sleep/wake patterns, ....Individualised predictions of circadian timing, sleep, and performance. The body's 24-hour clock regulates when we feel sleepy or alert. In shift workers, disrupted sleep and rhythms leads to fatigue and costly, often deadly, workplace accidents. Existing methods for measuring body clock timing are costly, impractical for operational settings, and do not work in real time. Using a shift-worker population, this project will develop models that accurately predict body timing, sleep/wake patterns, and performance for an individual, requiring only a simple activity/light sensor and an assessment of the body clock's sensitivity to light. The new model would revolutionise fatigue management and make safer work environments for millions of shift workers. Read moreRead less
Neural circuitry of maternal behaviour. Elaborate maternal care is a defining characteristic of mammalian species, suggesting conserved brain pathways evolved to orchestrate these responses. The neural substrates underscoring maternal behaviour have not been fully elucidated. This project aims to investigate the brain circuitry underpinning maternal care using a multidisciplinary approach combining behavioural assays and pharmacogenetic manipulations in mice alongside sophisticated molecular and ....Neural circuitry of maternal behaviour. Elaborate maternal care is a defining characteristic of mammalian species, suggesting conserved brain pathways evolved to orchestrate these responses. The neural substrates underscoring maternal behaviour have not been fully elucidated. This project aims to investigate the brain circuitry underpinning maternal care using a multidisciplinary approach combining behavioural assays and pharmacogenetic manipulations in mice alongside sophisticated molecular and functional analyses. The outcomes of this project are expected to improve our understanding of how specific brain pathways govern maternal behaviour. The novel insight gained is expected to advance theories regarding the organisation of maternal care and enable their practical testing.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of memory integration in brain systems. Learning from our interactions with the environment is one of the brain’s most important functions, yet how and where this process takes place at the neural network level has proven difficult to establish. This Project seeks to investigate how major neuromodulatory signals in the brain coordinate the encoding of reward-based learning in large ensembles of neurons. These studies will combine novel behavioural paradigms with the most recent neuros ....Mechanisms of memory integration in brain systems. Learning from our interactions with the environment is one of the brain’s most important functions, yet how and where this process takes place at the neural network level has proven difficult to establish. This Project seeks to investigate how major neuromodulatory signals in the brain coordinate the encoding of reward-based learning in large ensembles of neurons. These studies will combine novel behavioural paradigms with the most recent neuroscience techniques for functional mapping and manipulation of specific neural circuits in behaving mice. The outcomes of this research will lead to a significant shift in our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the integration of learning in brain systems and its implications for behaviour.Read moreRead less
Role of shifting thalamostriatal networks in action refinement. This project aims to determine the changes occurring in specific brain circuits when automatic behaviours are established. Ability to acquire new skills depends on the dynamic reorganisation of particular neural networks across brain territories throughout training. This project seeks to investigate how the thalamus-to-striatum pathway, a neural circuit that is central to motor control, progressively adjusts its activity as animals ....Role of shifting thalamostriatal networks in action refinement. This project aims to determine the changes occurring in specific brain circuits when automatic behaviours are established. Ability to acquire new skills depends on the dynamic reorganisation of particular neural networks across brain territories throughout training. This project seeks to investigate how the thalamus-to-striatum pathway, a neural circuit that is central to motor control, progressively adjusts its activity as animals automatise their actions. The project will combine behavioural designs with the latest neuroscience techniques for tracing, functional mapping and manipulation of specific neural circuits in behaving mice. The outcomes of this project will lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the refinement of action at the systems level, which is critical for performance and professional dexterity.Read moreRead less
The genetic basis of human memory. This project will examine the relationship between genetic variation and performance of normal individuals on a comprehensive range of memory test indicators. Results of the study will clarify the genetic basis of human memory and provide a better understanding of this important function.
Reconnecting the ageing brain to enhance plasticity and motor learning. The ability to execute and learn skillful actions deteriorates with advancing age, but the cause remains elusive. The main aim of this project is to use new neurophysiological techniques to examine the age-related changes in brain function that contribute to reduced movement control in healthy older adults. The research will use multimodal approaches to reveal the causal role of age-related changes in specific brain networks ....Reconnecting the ageing brain to enhance plasticity and motor learning. The ability to execute and learn skillful actions deteriorates with advancing age, but the cause remains elusive. The main aim of this project is to use new neurophysiological techniques to examine the age-related changes in brain function that contribute to reduced movement control in healthy older adults. The research will use multimodal approaches to reveal the causal role of age-related changes in specific brain networks to motor behaviour and learning. The outcomes will provide significant new knowledge that may help to optimise the design of targeted interventions aimed at rejuvenating brain function and movement quality in the elderly.Read moreRead less