In the research subfield 'B01', the underlying mechanism of neuronal dynamics on communications is elucidated by the studies on top-down processing, dynamic mnemonic function and mirror neuron system. The computational models for neuronal dynamics is also constructed based on the findings.
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| Studies on cognitice information creatioin based on synchronization/desynchronizqtion of brain networks | ||||
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| We hypothesize that synchronization of neural activities in individual levels is a key in cognitive controls. In this research project, we construct a unified model of brain dynamics covering macroscopic (global regional linking), mesoscopic(neural network structures of functional modules) and microscopic (neural or neurophysiological level). In the macroscopic level, we use experimental technique of synchronization/desynchronization in human EEG to prove the causality of synchronization in cognitive functions. Among cognitive functions, we elucidate visual perception experiments and also those in social environments. These EEG data together with our former computational models are devoted to develop computational models for computer experiments of conitive cunctions as dynamical coordination of heterogeneous systems in the brain. Dynamic Brain Platform http://dynamicbrain.neuroinf.jp/ is to be used to develop the model of brain dynamics by further wide collabotion. | ||||
| NAME | AFFILIATION | SPECIALTY | ROLE | |
| Leader | YAMAGUCHI, Yoko | RIKEN Brain Science Institute | Computational Neuroscience | General plannning and execution of computational studies |
| Member | KITAJO, Keiichi | RIKEN Brain Science Institute | Congitive Neuroscince | Human experiments |
| Member | KAWASAKI, Masahiro | RIKEN Brain Science Institute | Congitive Neuroscince | Human EEG in working memory tasks |
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| Clarification of the self-organization inducing-mechanism by interaction of different input information | ||||
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| A person can reconstructs a model of the external world within their brain according to the individual purpose. And he can process plus use the information. This process is the root of the information creation to bring about new knowledge. To construct an external model in a brain, it is required to integrate not only bottom-up information but also top-down information of the external world. Recently, experimental studies and theoretical studies have considerably clarified the formation mechanism of the external model depending only on bottom-up information. However, there is little research on the mechanism that achieves the integration of the top down function from the aspect of the information creation. First, we should pay attention to the modification of sensory information integration (bottom-up information) based on the level of the reward and the punishment (emotional information) as an influence of the top-down information, and investigate the mechanism that enables the self-organization of the model in the brain matched to the individual purposes. Moreover, as such emotional information is connected directly to an important aspect of communication between individuals, it could be regarded treated as an essential component of communications given to the self-organization of the model in the brain. It shows the emphases to search for a communication mechanism in the brain by clarifying the dynamics of the interaction of hetero series (bottom-up and the top-down information) mechanism from both sides of the experiment and the theory field. | ||||
| NAME | AFFILIATION | SPECIALTY | ROLE | |
| Leader | AIHARA, Takeshi | Tamagawa University | Neuroscience | Supervising and Optical imaging |
| Member | SAKAI, Yutaka | Tamagawa University | Computational Neuroscience | Theoretical analysis and modeling |
| FUJII, Satoshi | Yamagata University School of Medicine | Neurophysiology | The excution of electrophysiology of synaptic plasticity and neural functions | |
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| Interactive mechanism for formulation of human prospection from memory and ongoing processes | ||||
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| Humans formulate, memorize, update, and retrieve specific behavioral plans according to one's own future goals, past experiences, and current situations. This complex activity in our daily life can be viewed as interactive processes across multiple cognitive functions over time, hence involving dynamical interaction across multiple brain systems dedicated to each function. The present study aims to clarify interactive mechanisms for the human prospective abilities by focusing three core processes: perception and recognition of current environment, formation and retrieval of contextual memories, and formulation and execution of future behavioral plans. We apply various analyses to reveal brain's dynamical interaction using several brain imaging, recording, and stimulation techniques. | ||||
| NAME | AFFILIATION | SPECIALTY | ROLE | |
| Leader | OKUDA, Jiro | Kyoto Sangyo University | Functional Brain Imaging, Cognitive Neuroscience | Organization of the study, Deveropement of task paradigm, Recording and analysis of brain activity |
| Member | FUJII, Toshikatsu | Tohoku Fukushi University | Neuropsychology, Cognitive Psychology, Functional Brain Imaging | Recording and analysis of brain activity during memory task |
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| Study on Emergence of verbal/nonverbal communications by entrainment of activities in distributed brain cortices | ||||
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| Inui (1998) indicated functional importance of imitation learning with the prediction of other's motor command for language comprehension or other's action understanding. Recently, the prediction has been demonstrated by functional brain imaging studies (e.g., Ogawa & Inui, J. Cogn. Neurosci. 2007). Previous studies reported that the cortical activity for the vocal production is also necessary for the vocal comprehension. This suggests the functional importance of prediction of other's motor command via mirror neuron system for the vocal comprehension. However, it is still an open question how the functional cortical networks dynamically emerge for verbal/nonverbal communications, whereas the human mirror neuron system exists in the distributed neuronal activities (e.g., in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex or parietal cortex) (Rizzolatti & Craighero, Annu Rev Neurosci. 2004). Mizuhara & Yamaguchi (NeuroImage 2007) reported that the dynamical emergence of the functional neuronal network is realized by the synchronization of electroencephalography. This suggests that the entrainment of neuronal oscillator is crucial for dynamical coordination of functional network also in the mirror neuron system. In this project, here we hypothesized that the entrainment of neuronal oscillators in the mirror neuron systems emerges the function of verbal/nonverbal communications with the prediction of other’s motor command. By using the simultaneous fMRI and EEG, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms of dynamical emergence of cortical networks with the predictive imitation learning of other’s intention. | ||||
| NAME | AFFILIATION | SPECIALTY | ROLE | |
| Leader | MIZUHARA, Hiroaki | Kyoto University | Cognitive Neuroscience | PI & Simultaneous fMRI-EEG |
| Member | INUI, Toshio | Kyoto University | Cognitive Science, Cognitive Neuroscience | Neural computation for verbal/nonverbal communications |
| SASAOKA, Takafumi | Kyoto University | Cognitive Science | Psychological Experiments | |