Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
York University
$55,000.00
Multiscale Investigation of Neural Circuitry of Visual Cognition in Primates
EF 2024-25
Résumé
How the brain guides attention and monitors errors to govern behavior has been investigated in humans with noninvasive measures of brain function like the electro-encephalogram (EEG) and in monkeys with invasive measurements of brain cell (neuron) discharges and synaptic local field potentials. We know that the EEG is produced by the brain. But, using the EEG on the head to locate sources in the brain (known as the inverse problem) allows multiple solutions. But deriving the EEG from particular sources in the brain (known as the forward problem) has one solution. This research program seeks the brain mechanisms of human attention and monitoring by building a bridge between human EEG findings and monkey brain function. Our research has verified that monkeys have EEG measures like humans. We have obtained a comprehensive and unique dataset consisting of simultaneous measurements of EEG with discharges and field potentials from four areas of the cerebral cortex of macaque monkeys performing tasks demanding visual attention and error monitoring. Two areas consist of the typical 6 cortical layers. Two lack the dense layer 4. Funds are requested to characterize the diversity of signals found across cortical layers in each of the 4 areas and then to determine how these brain signals produce the EEG signals. High confidence in feasibility is engendered by our application of advanced biophysical theory, sophisticated mathematical approaches, and tractable models of single neurons applied to a dataset that is unique in behavioral relevance, diversity of brain regions, and relevance for understanding human processes. Understanding how brain circuits produce EEG measures will solve a long-standing problem, establish an empirical bridge between two research domains, and improve brain-machine interface technology. Understanding how the brain guides attention and monitors errors will resolve competing theories of human perception and performance and translate into more effective machine vision and robotic systems.
Programme
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Ontario, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
RGPIN-2022-04592
Name nom
Schall, Jeffrey
Department département
Biology/Science
Organization id
38
Institution établissement
York University
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2024
Competition year année de concours
2022
Award amount
55000
Program id
RGPIN
Program name en
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Program name fr
Programme de subventions à la découverte - individuelles
Group en
DISCOVERY RESEARCH
Group fr
RECHERCHE AXÉE SUR LA DÉCOUVERTE
Committee code
1502
Committee name en
Biological Systems and Functions
Committee name fr
Systèmes et fonctions biologiques
Area of application code
1100
Area of application group en
Health, education and social services
Area of application group fr
Santé publique, éducation et services sociaux
Area of application en
Health, education and social services
Area of application fr
Santé publique, éducation et services sociaux
Research subject code
5501
Research subject group en
Animal biology
Research subject group fr
Biologie animale
Research subject en
Neurophysiology
Research subject fr
Neurophysiologie
Field of research list names en
Not available
Field of research list names fr
Non disponible
Socioeconomic objective list names en
Not available
Socioeconomic objective list names fr
Non disponible
Application title
Multiscale Investigation of Neural Circuitry of Visual Cognition in Primates
Keywords
visual attention; performance monitoring; executive control; area v4; frontal eye field; supplementary eye field; cerebral cortex; neurophysiology; electrophysiology; laminar sampling
Application summary
How the brain guides attention and monitors errors to govern behavior has been investigated in humans with noninvasive measures of brain function like the electro-encephalogram (EEG) and in monkeys with invasive measurements of brain cell (neuron) discharges and synaptic local field potentials. We know that the EEG is produced by the brain. But, using the EEG on the head to locate sources in the brain (known as the inverse problem) allows multiple solutions. But deriving the EEG from particular sources in the brain (known as the forward problem) has one solution. This research program seeks the brain mechanisms of human attention and monitoring by building a bridge between human EEG findings and monkey brain function. Our research has verified that monkeys have EEG measures like humans. We have obtained a comprehensive and unique dataset consisting of simultaneous measurements of EEG with discharges and field potentials from four areas of the cerebral cortex of macaque monkeys performing tasks demanding visual attention and error monitoring. Two areas consist of the typical 6 cortical layers. Two lack the dense layer 4. Funds are requested to characterize the diversity of signals found across cortical layers in each of the 4 areas and then to determine how these brain signals produce the EEG signals. High confidence in feasibility is engendered by our application of advanced biophysical theory, sophisticated mathematical approaches, and tractable models of single neurons applied to a dataset that is unique in behavioral relevance, diversity of brain regions, and relevance for understanding human processes. Understanding how brain circuits produce EEG measures will solve a long-standing problem, establish an empirical bridge between two research domains, and improve brain-machine interface technology. Understanding how the brain guides attention and monitors errors will resolve competing theories of human perception and performance and translate into more effective machine vision and robotic systems.
