Kai Görgen: On rules and methods - Neural representations of complex time sets and related methodological contributions

BCCN Berlin / GRK 1589 / HU Berlin

 

Abstract

Where and how does the brain represent complex rule sets? In my Defense, I will present the results of my Dissertation, which are (i) a series of three empirical studies that directly address this question, and (ii) an additional methodological study on how to control experiments.

The empirical studies (Study 1–3) investigate how the brain represents different features of complex rule sets: Where are cues and rules represented, and are these represented independently? Where are compound rules (i.e. rules consisting of multiple rules) represented, and are these composed from their single rule representations? Where are rules from different hierarchical levels represented, and is there a hierarchy-dependent functional gradient within ventro-lateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC)? Where is the order of rule-execution represented, and is it represented as a separate higher-level rule? The empirical studies provide answers to these questions, which were in part quite surprising. For example, common to a popular theory, we did not find any evidence for a functional gradient within VLPFC.

The methodological study (Study 4) introduces “The Same Analysis Approach (SAA)”. SAA is a framework that allows to detect, avoid, and eliminate confounds and other errors in experimental design and analysis, especially mistakes caused through malicious design-analysis interactions. While certainly relevant for MVPA, employing SAA might also be helpful in other fields as well, both within and outside of neuroscience. In the Defense, I will demonstrate SAA for an exemplary problem, so that everyone can decide on whether or not to employ SAA for themself.

Additional Information

PhD defense in the research training group GRK 1589, 'Sensory Computation in Neural Systems'.

Organized by

John-Dylan Haynes / Lisa Velenosi