A new perspective on how we learn motor skills: two adaptation classes? The capacity to adapt and acquire movement skills is essential for success in almost every aspect of our lives. This project will test the idea that there are two fundamentally distinct classes of motor learning processes in the brain that are driven by different error types. Using brain recordings, robotic perturbation of movement, and novel variations of classical learning paradigms, the project aims to reveal the neurocom ....A new perspective on how we learn motor skills: two adaptation classes? The capacity to adapt and acquire movement skills is essential for success in almost every aspect of our lives. This project will test the idea that there are two fundamentally distinct classes of motor learning processes in the brain that are driven by different error types. Using brain recordings, robotic perturbation of movement, and novel variations of classical learning paradigms, the project aims to reveal the neurocomputational properties of these proposed adaptation classes across a range of sensorimotor learning paradigms. The knowledge gained from this project may identify new strategies for adapting movements that are widely applicable to industry, defence, sport, and health.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100608
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,810.00
Summary
Characterising brain networks of intelligence through information tracking. For intelligent behaviour, the human brain needs to engage several processes including sensory, memory and motor processes. How it does this is one of the most significant questions in cognitive neuroscience. This project characterises the neural networks of human intelligence by advancing and building on the most recent advances in neuroimaging analyses. It will determine the interaction of different brain processes by ....Characterising brain networks of intelligence through information tracking. For intelligent behaviour, the human brain needs to engage several processes including sensory, memory and motor processes. How it does this is one of the most significant questions in cognitive neuroscience. This project characterises the neural networks of human intelligence by advancing and building on the most recent advances in neuroimaging analyses. It will determine the interaction of different brain processes by developing novel connectivity methods that track the flow of information through the brain with high temporal and spatial accuracy. The outcomes will be fundamental insights into the mechanisms of human intelligence and new connectivity analysis software that will have wide application in brain research.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100380
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,683.00
Summary
The dynamics of object representations in the human brain. The human brain's ability to effortlessly recognise and categorise objects enables effective behavioural responses in complex everyday environments. Despite the apparent efficiency of this process, it is still unknown how the brain solves object recognition. This project capitalises on cutting-edge advances in artificial intelligence and neuroscience to resolve the spatiotemporal dynamics of object processing in the human brain. The outc ....The dynamics of object representations in the human brain. The human brain's ability to effortlessly recognise and categorise objects enables effective behavioural responses in complex everyday environments. Despite the apparent efficiency of this process, it is still unknown how the brain solves object recognition. This project capitalises on cutting-edge advances in artificial intelligence and neuroscience to resolve the spatiotemporal dynamics of object processing in the human brain. The outcomes will be a step change in our understanding of the nature and development of the multi-dimensional space underpinning neural object processing. This will ultimately facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders across the lifespan and accelerate the development of intelligent machines.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL220100184
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,897,256.00
Summary
Next-generation maps and models of the human brain. This project aims to develop a new framework for understanding how the anatomy of the brain shapes its function and influences individual differences in human behaviour. The project expects to develop innovative methods for mapping and modelling human brain function by combining techniques from neuroscience, physics, informatics, psychology, and genetics. Expected outcomes include new tools for analysing brain imaging data, new models of brain ....Next-generation maps and models of the human brain. This project aims to develop a new framework for understanding how the anatomy of the brain shapes its function and influences individual differences in human behaviour. The project expects to develop innovative methods for mapping and modelling human brain function by combining techniques from neuroscience, physics, informatics, psychology, and genetics. Expected outcomes include new tools for analysing brain imaging data, new models of brain structure and function, an understanding of how genes shape brain architecture, and a comprehensive characterization of how individual differences in brain organization relate to behaviour. These outcomes should benefit our understanding of how the brain works and of the biological basis of behaviour.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100327
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$440,970.00
Summary
Understanding how predictions modulate visual perception. The brain uses sensory predictions to help efficiently make sense of complex visual input. This project aims to explore how the brain generates, uses, and integrates different sources of predictive information to facilitate efficient visual perception. The outcomes are expected to be of both theoretical and practical benefit as they will help to refine influential theoretical models and generate findings with practical, real-world applic ....Understanding how predictions modulate visual perception. The brain uses sensory predictions to help efficiently make sense of complex visual input. This project aims to explore how the brain generates, uses, and integrates different sources of predictive information to facilitate efficient visual perception. The outcomes are expected to be of both theoretical and practical benefit as they will help to refine influential theoretical models and generate findings with practical, real-world applications in computer vision.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100498
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,868.00
Summary
Mapping the genetics of brain connectivity. The brain is a complex biological system that gives rise to our consciousness, thoughts, and experiences, yet we still do not know how this complexity emerges. This project aims to comprehensively investigate the genetics of brain connectivity combining cutting-edge techniques in neuroimaging, genomics, mathematical modelling, and cognitive neuroscience, focusing specifically on the connectivity of functionally important brain network hubs. The outcome ....Mapping the genetics of brain connectivity. The brain is a complex biological system that gives rise to our consciousness, thoughts, and experiences, yet we still do not know how this complexity emerges. This project aims to comprehensively investigate the genetics of brain connectivity combining cutting-edge techniques in neuroimaging, genomics, mathematical modelling, and cognitive neuroscience, focusing specifically on the connectivity of functionally important brain network hubs. The outcomes will provide a mechanistic understanding of the genetic origins of brain network formation and an explanation for how genetic influences on brain organisation shape human behaviour advancing the fundamental knowledge about the complexity of the brain.Read moreRead less
Neurochemical predictors of cognition and the impact of brain stimulation. This project aims to determine how neurochemical equilibrium between excitation and inhibition (E/I balance), across the brain, is associated with executive function and how this balance is influenced by non-invasive brain stimulation. Brain stimulation shows immense promise for enhancing executive function in applied settings, but the neurochemical basis for this is unknown. Using advanced imaging and stimulation techniq ....Neurochemical predictors of cognition and the impact of brain stimulation. This project aims to determine how neurochemical equilibrium between excitation and inhibition (E/I balance), across the brain, is associated with executive function and how this balance is influenced by non-invasive brain stimulation. Brain stimulation shows immense promise for enhancing executive function in applied settings, but the neurochemical basis for this is unknown. Using advanced imaging and stimulation techniques, the project aims to provide comprehensive insights into the causal relationship between stimulation, E/I balance and executive function. Outcomes and benefits include identifying neurochemical characteristics that determine stimulation efficacy and informing the design of protocols for applied use.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100606
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$426,105.00
Summary
Investigating how visual imagery influences cognition. This project will characterise the role visual imagery plays in other cognitive functions, namely visual working memory and attention. This will be done by studying two special populations that have extreme forms of visual imagery: aphantasia and synaesthesia. This work will develop innovative psychophysics and physiological techniques to identify different cognitive strategies used to solve visual working memory and attention tasks. Further ....Investigating how visual imagery influences cognition. This project will characterise the role visual imagery plays in other cognitive functions, namely visual working memory and attention. This will be done by studying two special populations that have extreme forms of visual imagery: aphantasia and synaesthesia. This work will develop innovative psychophysics and physiological techniques to identify different cognitive strategies used to solve visual working memory and attention tasks. Further magnetoencephalography (MEG) decoding approaches will be used to compare and contrast the neural signatures of voluntary and involuntary visual imagery, working memory, and attention. This work will help us understand why some individuals have better imaginations, memory, and attention than others. Read moreRead less
Neural noise in human cognitive ageing and reserve. Age-related increases in neural noise degrade information transfer in the brain and lead to diminished cognitive function. Yet with cognitive reserve, some people are able to maintain healthy functioning well into their later years. This project aims to investigate the effects of neural noise on brain connectivity, cognitive performance and reserve, advancing breakthrough work on the neural physiology of healthy cognitive ageing and malleabilit ....Neural noise in human cognitive ageing and reserve. Age-related increases in neural noise degrade information transfer in the brain and lead to diminished cognitive function. Yet with cognitive reserve, some people are able to maintain healthy functioning well into their later years. This project aims to investigate the effects of neural noise on brain connectivity, cognitive performance and reserve, advancing breakthrough work on the neural physiology of healthy cognitive ageing and malleability of neural noise. This will be delivered by novel combinations of electrophysiology, neuroimaging and non-invasive brain stimulation. Benefits extend from developing neural markers for measuring cognitive reserve to new strategies for building resilience to age-related cognitive decline.Read moreRead less