Associated reseachers (see their entries to find out in what way they are associated)

In my work I study the neural mechanisms of prediction, attention, and memory. My research combines empirical methods from cognitive neuroscience (EEG, fMRI, MEG, ECoG, TMS) and systems neuroscience (electrophysiology, calcium imaging) with computational modelling (Bayesian models of neural and behavioural data) and multivariate techniques (decoding).
At M&B, I offer (co-)supervision on research projects related to predictive processing based on EEG/fMRI/TMS, as well as on a wider range of topics based on Bayesian modelling of neural/behavioural data.

Our work is driven by the hypothesis that short-term information storage is a distributed cortical process. We use neuroimaging methods (predominantly fMRI) and multivariate pattern analysis techniques (‘machine learning‘) to identify brain regions which store contents held in working memory, study the representational architecture of these brain regions, and ask how memory storage is elicited and maintained in these areas.

Elisa Filevich is a Junior Research Group Leader at the Hector Research Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology. She works on motor metacognition, that is how (much) we explicitly represent the way we move our body. She investigates the interplay between metacogntive ability and learning, in particular in the motor domain.
Until 2023 at Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Institut für Psychologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

My focus has been on the role of extra-neural cognitive resources (of our body and environment) for mental states. What are the boundaries of cognitive systems? What role does bodily action play for perception? In the last years I extend this research toward the role cultural artifacts (like film, architecture, and art) play for our kinds of minds. I will explore this connection in the H2020 Project ARTIS in the next years and hope to develop a 4EA theory of the arts. See also: www.mind-and-brain.de/people/eu-h2020-project-artis/

Visiting scholar at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig and science journalist. Prior to that, he was a senior resident scientist at the University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich. Current book publication: Neue Psychiatrie. Den Biologismus überwinden und tun, was wirklich hilft (transcript Verlag, June 2023)

We look at the contribution of single-cell computation to the cortical network. We are particularly interested in the computational enhancement arising from active dendritic properties. We are currently testing a hypothesis that the fine and large-scale architecture of the cortex dovetails with the cellular properties of cortical pyramidal neurons to enhance the associative properties of the network (Larkum, 2013). If correct this hypothesis might have ramifications for the operation of the cortex and various associated problems (e.g. the binding problem). Larkum, M. (2013) A cellular mechanism for cortical associations: an organizing principle for the cerebral cortex. Trends in Neurosciences 36: 141-151. To M&B members I can offer advice on/collaboration with: Electrophysiological and imaging recordings from cerebral cortex in rodents in vivo. Non-invasive stimulation methods (TMS, tDCS, ultrasound). Rodent behaviour.

The IBS lab develops miniaturized wearable neurotechnology and body-worn sensors for unobtrusive monitoring of the embodied brain in the everyday world. It uses machine learning on the multimodal sensor data, together with environmental context information, to contribute to a paradigm shift in individualized comprehensive understanding of physical and mental health: Toward intelligent assessment and treatment of physical and mental states and risk factors.

The focus of my research is neurophilosophy and neuroethics. My main topics are: personality changes through neuro- and radiosurgical interventions into the brain; ethical issues of deep brain stimulation and of ablative psychiatric neurosurgery; patients’ autonomy; methodological and ethical issues of functional imaging; brain death diagnosis and functional imaging; Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID); impact of the neurosciences on the criminal law; neuroenhancement, particularly moral neuroenhancement. I have finished a DFG project on ethical issues of brain interventions. My current focus is on psychiatric neurosurgery (DBS and ablative neurosurgery).

I study the dynamics of human (working-) memory and decision making using neural measures (EEG, pupillometry, and fMRI) combined with computational modelling and multivariate analysis techniques.