Zang-Hee Cho, Ph.D.
Korea University, Korea
Endowed Chair Professor & Director, Neuroscience Convergence Center
Brain and Cognition via Neuroimaging – PET and UHF 7T MRI
Abstract
Inevitably, Human Cognition is connected to “Human Brain”, although details of this vital topic is yet to be studied and investigated. Our brain is too complex to fully comprehend the structures and connectivity as well as the functions with currently available science and technology such as Electro-Encephalography (EEG), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), that is the Brain Dynamics or the Neurobiological data. When we try to explain in some details, such as Cognition, it requires substantially large amount of experimental evidences, especially that of in-vivo human. Therefore, to understand the whole picture, we need not only the neurobiological supports but also other scientific and methodological supports from other disciplines, for instance, tools like the logics of Deep Learning technique in the field of Artificial Intelligence or AI. In this talk, I have attempted to explain the neural mechanisms of the “Cognition and Language” or “Cognition or Thinking” by a new Neural Network modeling together with the introduction of several newly emerging developments such as “Neuronal Resonance”, “In-vivo Human Fiber Tractography or Connectivity” data, “Engram and Hebbian Hypothesis”, “Human Memory formation in the High Brain Areas”, “Deep Learning “ as well as a recently introduced “neural memory” concept, the “neural-Lexicon” developed via “Language” by repeated exposure to the neural system similar to the multilayer signal processing in the Deep Learning. Together with all those recent developments, we have derived a neural model with which one can explain how human “Cognition and Language” or “Cognition and Thinking” work, especially in relation to “Language”, a universal medium in human society learned either explicitly or implicitly.
Biography
Dr. Zang-Hee Cho, currently leading the Neuroscience Convergence Center at Korea University, is acclaimed for pioneering neuroimaging technologies like the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner and the PET-MRI fusion device. With an academic foundation in Electronics from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Uppsala University, Dr. Cho’s global recognition stems from his commitment to improving medical care through a better understanding of the brain.
Christoph Herrmann, Ph.D.
Oldenburg University, Germany
Professor, Department of Psychology
First simulate then stimulate: Understanding and improving transcranial alternating current stimulation
Abstract
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can be used to modulate brain oscillations in human electroencephalogram and, in turn, cognitive functions. Before applying tACS, it makes sense to use simulation in order to better understand the mechanism and location of stimulation. Using finite element models, the pattern of current density inside the brain can be predicted and can be compared to the desired target location. Using simulated firing neurons, we can better understand how tACS is able to entrain ongoing brain oscillations. The talk will introduce both types of simulation and report results obtained with these simulations.
Biography
Christoph S. Herrmann is a professor of General Psychology at Oldenburg University, Germany. He was a postdoc fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, Leipzig, Germany, and a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley, USA. He is one of the world-leading researchers in the studies of EEG oscillatory activity and brain stimulation. He serves as a member of the editorial board of renowned journals such as NeuroImage, Brain Topography, International Journal of Psychophysiology, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, etc.
Dimitrios Pantazis, Ph.D.
MIT, USA
McGovern Institute for Brain Research
Director of MEG Lab
Machine learning of MEG signals opens a window to human cognition
Abstract
Methodological approaches in magnetoencephalography (MEG) have grown remarkably the last few years, with classical machine learning and deep learning methods now offering a principled approach to characterize brain function. These methods have been tremendously successful in extracting information from MEG signals, almost performing feats of mind reading by revealing what a person is seeing, perceiving, or remembering. In this talk, I will present a series of research projects that exemplify the unique ability of MEG to decode and resolve brain dynamics, compute high spatiotemporal resolution maps with MEG-fMRI fusion, capture visual feedback signals, inform the design of computational models, and extract neural signatures of the normal and pathological brain.
Biography
Dimitrios Pantazis joined MIT in 2010 and is currently the director of the MEG lab housed within Athinoula A. Martinos Imaging Center at MIT. Before moving to MIT, he was research assistant professor at the University of Southern California from 2008-2010. He received his PhD in Electrical Engineering at the University of Southern California in 2006.
Naotsugu Tsuchiya, Ph.D.
Monash University, Australia
Professor, School of Psychological Sciences
Is My Red Your Red?
Qualia Structures Approach
Towards the Qualia Inversion Problem
Abstract
Do I experience the world in the “same” way that you do? How similar is my consciousness to other humans, animals, insects, octopuses, and artificial intelligence? In this talk, I will discuss this issue focusing on the content of consciousness, what-it-feels-like, or in short “qualia”. Can we scientifically investigate if my red qualia is similar to your red qualia? Traditionally, the answer has been No. Because “qualia” are so intrinsic and purely subjective, qualia have often been considered as outside of the realm of scientific inquiry. Recently, our group has proposed a method to characterise a quale in terms of its relation to all other qualia, inspired by a mathematical theorem called “Yoneda lemma” in the field of category theory. Based on this idea, we conducted experiments in which we asked both neurotypical and colorblind subjects to report the similarity of a large number of colour combinations. Using the similarity structures estimated from these data, we addressed a question of if it is possible to “align” the colour qualia structures between different populations and quantified its accuracy without any color labels during alignment. We used an unsupervised method, called “optimal transport” in the field of machine translation (https://psyarxiv.com/h3pqm), finding near perfect alignment among neurotypicals, among color blinds, but not between them, despite their similarly-looking color qualia structures. Our qualia structure paradigm may be generalizable to qualia in other domains, or even to structures between qualia structures. The relationship between qualia structures may eventually provide an opportunity to address questions such as, “Why are colour qualia perceived as colour qualia?”
Biography
Dr. Nao Tsuchiya, a professor at Monash University, is renowned for his pioneering work in consciousness and attention studies. After obtaining a Bachelor’s in Science from Kyoto University and a Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology, he has impacted the field through his research on conscious and non-conscious processing and the neuronal mechanisms of consciousness and attention. His innovative contributions have enriched our understanding of these cognitive processes.
Arie van der Lugt (A.H.), Ph.D.
Maastricht university, The Netherlands
Professor, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
Waves of social evaluation: ERP measures of early attitude activation
Abstract
The Go/NoGo association task (GNAT) has been used in behavioral studies to measure the strength of association between different category groups and two poles of an evaluative dimension. However, reaction time data do not provide information about the neural time course of such associative information. In a series of experiments, we investigated event-related brain potentials (ERPs) elicited when participants were required to respond (Go) or withhold a response (NoGo) according to task instructions. In the first study, task instructions paired words from one of two taxonomic categories (fruit/bugs) with either pole of an evaluative dimension (good/bad). Go responses (button presses) were assigned to one of the categories and one evaluative dimension. ERPs showed an increased negativity over frontal sites to NoGo as compared to Go responses. Moreover, NoGo minus Go difference waves showed that the N200 effect was delayed in trials within incongruent blocks (e.g., “Press if a bug word or a good word”) as compared to trials within congruent blocks (e.g., “Press if a bug word or a bad word”). The results suggested that associative attitude information is available at a very early stage of processing, less than 250 ms after seeing a fruit or a bug word. After establishing the basic paradigm, we used a similar approach to measure other implicit biases towards social groups (the elderly, East-Germans) and towards smoking. In this talk, I will discuss both the great potential and the limitations of looking at these waves of evaluation as a continuous measure of attitude formation.
Biography
After graduating with a double degree in Philosophy and Computer Science from Twente University (NL), I did my PhD at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen under supervision of Anne Cutler and James McQueen. For my dissertation, I studied pre-lexical processes in spoken word recognition. After completing my PhD, I moved to Exeter (UK) to work with Professor Stephen Monsell. Having established the new laboratory for experimental cognitive psychology, I worked on a series of psycholinguistic experiments to investigate the role of the syllable in speech production. In a second line of research, I examined effects of task switching. In January 2002, I joined Tom Münte’s research team in Magdeburg, Germany. During this time, I started a new line of research that was concerned with higher-order representations and their role in cognitive processes. This interest in how we represent ourselves and the world around us, was fed in part by my teaching on a number of related courses, for example, advanced study seminars on Social Cognitive Neuroscience. Since June 2005, I am working at Maastricht University (NL), where I focus mostly on teaching and teaching innovation. Most of my recent research, is done in the context of research-based learning approaches in higher education.
