Advanced Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience
The course format is simple, there are three sections - cognitive, perceptual, and motor neuroscience. Each section is comprised of units. Within each unit, there are quiz questions with readings. Your job is to come to class with the quiz questions prepared - do the readings - and be prepared to answer a randomly selected quiz question. Following each quiz question, we will review the answers and work on preparing answers for the unit exam questions.
Section 1: Memory
January 9th - Lecture: Memory
Reading: Baddeley, 2012
Lecture Slides
Quiz Questions
1. Define, compare, and contrast the phonological loop and the visuo-spatial sketchpad.
2. Describe evidence for a limited capacity in both the phonological loop and the visuo-spatial sketchpad.
3. Define the first multicomponent working memory theory (figure 1) and what was changed in the second theory (figure 2) and then the third theory (figure 3).
January 13th - Seminar: Memory
Reading: Osaka et al., 2007
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Reading: Baddeley, 2012
Lecture Slides
Quiz Questions
1. Define, compare, and contrast the phonological loop and the visuo-spatial sketchpad.
2. Describe evidence for a limited capacity in both the phonological loop and the visuo-spatial sketchpad.
3. Define the first multicomponent working memory theory (figure 1) and what was changed in the second theory (figure 2) and then the third theory (figure 3).
January 13th - Seminar: Memory
Reading: Osaka et al., 2007
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Section 2: Learning
January 16th - Lecture: Learning
Reading: Schultz, 2016
Lecture Slides
Quiz Questions
1. What are prediction errors? Additionally, give examples to describe positive, negative, and the lack of prediction errors.
2. Describe the influence of dopamine in reinforcement learning. Describe why, over time, an event that once elicited a burst of dopamine no longer does.
3. Various drugs result in a release of dopamine. Describe, using prediction errors and/or dopamine, the expression 'chasing the high'. In other words, describe why a drug user may continuously increase the dose they are taking.
January 20th - Seminar: Learning
Reading: Waelti, Dickinson, & Schultz, 2001
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Reading: Schultz, 2016
Lecture Slides
Quiz Questions
1. What are prediction errors? Additionally, give examples to describe positive, negative, and the lack of prediction errors.
2. Describe the influence of dopamine in reinforcement learning. Describe why, over time, an event that once elicited a burst of dopamine no longer does.
3. Various drugs result in a release of dopamine. Describe, using prediction errors and/or dopamine, the expression 'chasing the high'. In other words, describe why a drug user may continuously increase the dose they are taking.
January 20th - Seminar: Learning
Reading: Waelti, Dickinson, & Schultz, 2001
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Section 3: Decision Making
January 23rd - Lecture: Decision Making
Reading: Kool, Shenhav, & Botvinick, 2017
Lecture Slides
Quiz Questions
1. What is the 'expected value of control' (or cost-benefit analysis)?
2. What are the different kinds of cognitive control that may be exerted?
3. Define and describe the factors of cognitive control that are driven by the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex.
January 27th - Seminar: Decision Making
Reading: Williams et al., 2019
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Reading: Kool, Shenhav, & Botvinick, 2017
Lecture Slides
Quiz Questions
1. What is the 'expected value of control' (or cost-benefit analysis)?
2. What are the different kinds of cognitive control that may be exerted?
3. Define and describe the factors of cognitive control that are driven by the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex.
January 27th - Seminar: Decision Making
Reading: Williams et al., 2019
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Unit 1 Exam
January 30th
The instructor will randomly select two questions. You will write an essay answer on one of the chosen questions.
Question 1
Baddeley (2012) proposes a theory of working memory (figure 4). First, adapt the above model by deconstructing the ‘WM’ node into its multiple components – be sure to describe each of these components in detail. Second, re-draw your adapted model (part 1) in terms of brain regions involved. Discuss experimental evidence to support the inclusion of at least two of these structures. Third, what is similar and different between Baddeley’s model and those discussed describing intuitive and analytical reasoning?
Question 2
Use dopamine and/or prediction errors to describe how we learn via reinforcement learning. This can either be how we learn primitive actions (simple reinforcement learning) or how we learn with goals (hierarchical reinforcement learning). Be sure to include experimental evidence to support at least some of what you describe. Additionally, include a model highlighting specific neural regions involved and each of their proposed functions. Next, re-describe learning via reinforcement learning for someone with an impaired working memory.
Question 3
Describe intuitive and analytical decision making (and the mechanisms involved) while referring to a model discussed in class and the neuroanatomical regions involved. Explain what role reinforcement learning has in these decision making systems including how the neural regions of reinforcement learning may interact with the neural regions of decision making.
Question 4
Throughout this unit, we discussed how the anterior cingulate cortex was a brain region involved in all topics discussed, i.e., working memory, reinforcement learning, intuitive and analytical decision making. Discuss experiments and interpretations for each of these topics individually (thus discuss at least three experiments). Next, integrate findings and develop a unitary function of the ACC. Finally, discuss how this unitary function applies to all three topics discussed in this unit.
The instructor will randomly select two questions. You will write an essay answer on one of the chosen questions.
Question 1
Baddeley (2012) proposes a theory of working memory (figure 4). First, adapt the above model by deconstructing the ‘WM’ node into its multiple components – be sure to describe each of these components in detail. Second, re-draw your adapted model (part 1) in terms of brain regions involved. Discuss experimental evidence to support the inclusion of at least two of these structures. Third, what is similar and different between Baddeley’s model and those discussed describing intuitive and analytical reasoning?
Question 2
Use dopamine and/or prediction errors to describe how we learn via reinforcement learning. This can either be how we learn primitive actions (simple reinforcement learning) or how we learn with goals (hierarchical reinforcement learning). Be sure to include experimental evidence to support at least some of what you describe. Additionally, include a model highlighting specific neural regions involved and each of their proposed functions. Next, re-describe learning via reinforcement learning for someone with an impaired working memory.
Question 3
Describe intuitive and analytical decision making (and the mechanisms involved) while referring to a model discussed in class and the neuroanatomical regions involved. Explain what role reinforcement learning has in these decision making systems including how the neural regions of reinforcement learning may interact with the neural regions of decision making.
Question 4
Throughout this unit, we discussed how the anterior cingulate cortex was a brain region involved in all topics discussed, i.e., working memory, reinforcement learning, intuitive and analytical decision making. Discuss experiments and interpretations for each of these topics individually (thus discuss at least three experiments). Next, integrate findings and develop a unitary function of the ACC. Finally, discuss how this unitary function applies to all three topics discussed in this unit.
Section 4: Ventral Stream
February 6th - Lecture: Ventral Stream
Reading: Goodale 2011
Quiz Questions
1. Outline the theory put forth about the origins of the visual systems.
2. Outline the evidence that shows a function dissociation and thus the existence of two visual streams (Hint: Differences between RV and DF for example).
3. What neural regions comprise the ventral visual stream and what is the purported role of these areas in perceptual visual processing.
February 10th - Seminar: Ventral Stream
Reading: Marotta et al. 2001
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Reading: Goodale 2011
Quiz Questions
1. Outline the theory put forth about the origins of the visual systems.
2. Outline the evidence that shows a function dissociation and thus the existence of two visual streams (Hint: Differences between RV and DF for example).
3. What neural regions comprise the ventral visual stream and what is the purported role of these areas in perceptual visual processing.
February 10th - Seminar: Ventral Stream
Reading: Marotta et al. 2001
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Section 5: Dorsal Stream
February 13th - Lecture: Dorsal Stream
Reading: Goodale 2011
Quiz Questions
1. What neural regions comprise the dorsal visual stream and what is the purported role of these areas in perceptual visual processing.
2. The review briefly discussed the differences between top-down and bottom-up visual processing - summarize what these terms mean with regard to visual processing.
3. What are the differences in the neural computations made by the dorsal and ventral visual streams.
February 24th - Seminar: Dorsal Stream
Reading: Desmurget et al. 1999
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Reading: Goodale 2011
Quiz Questions
1. What neural regions comprise the dorsal visual stream and what is the purported role of these areas in perceptual visual processing.
2. The review briefly discussed the differences between top-down and bottom-up visual processing - summarize what these terms mean with regard to visual processing.
3. What are the differences in the neural computations made by the dorsal and ventral visual streams.
February 24th - Seminar: Dorsal Stream
Reading: Desmurget et al. 1999
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Section 6: Attention
February 27th - Lecture: Attention
Reading: Peterson and Posner 2012
Lecture Slides
Quiz Questions
1. Summarize the neural locus and functional role of the alerting attentional network.
2. Summarize the neural locus and functional role of the orienting attentional network.
3. Summarize the neural locus and functional role of the executive attentional network.
March 2nd - Seminar: Attention
Reading: Hassall et al. 2018
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Reading: Peterson and Posner 2012
Lecture Slides
Quiz Questions
1. Summarize the neural locus and functional role of the alerting attentional network.
2. Summarize the neural locus and functional role of the orienting attentional network.
3. Summarize the neural locus and functional role of the executive attentional network.
March 2nd - Seminar: Attention
Reading: Hassall et al. 2018
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Unit 2 Exam
March 5th
The instructor will randomly select two questions. You will write an essay answer on one of the chosen questions.
1. Explain how we identify an apple as an apple. Include reference to a novel research paper that provides evidence to support your answer. Make specific reference to the neural regions involved in visual processing.
2. Explain how we grab an apple (just the visual portion of grasping, not the actual motor movement). Include reference to a novel research paper that provides evidence to support your paper. Make specific reference to the neural regions involved in visual processing.
3. You are driving your car around ring road and all of a sudden a pedestrian steps out. Explain the role of your attentional system in you stopping the car. Make specific reference to the neural regions involved in attentional processing.
The instructor will randomly select two questions. You will write an essay answer on one of the chosen questions.
1. Explain how we identify an apple as an apple. Include reference to a novel research paper that provides evidence to support your answer. Make specific reference to the neural regions involved in visual processing.
2. Explain how we grab an apple (just the visual portion of grasping, not the actual motor movement). Include reference to a novel research paper that provides evidence to support your paper. Make specific reference to the neural regions involved in visual processing.
3. You are driving your car around ring road and all of a sudden a pedestrian steps out. Explain the role of your attentional system in you stopping the car. Make specific reference to the neural regions involved in attentional processing.
Section 7: Reflexes
March 12th - Lecture: Reflexes
Reading: Johnson et al 2017
Quiz Questions
1. What are the three components of a motor command?
2. What is a "PIC" and how does it lead to motor unit firing?
3. How can motor unit firing rate parameters be used to identify the relative contributions of neuromodulatory, excitatory, and inhibitory components of a motor command?
March 16th - Seminar: Reflexes
Reading: Tsuruike et al 2012
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Reading: Johnson et al 2017
Quiz Questions
1. What are the three components of a motor command?
2. What is a "PIC" and how does it lead to motor unit firing?
3. How can motor unit firing rate parameters be used to identify the relative contributions of neuromodulatory, excitatory, and inhibitory components of a motor command?
March 16th - Seminar: Reflexes
Reading: Tsuruike et al 2012
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Section 8: Gait
March 19th - Lecture: Gait
Reading: Klarner and Zehr 2018
Quiz Questions
1.What is a central pattern generator and what is its role in gait?
2. Summarize evidence that humans have central pattern generators.
3. What evidence is there that sensory feedback is modulated during locomotion?
March 23rd - Seminar: Gait
Reading: Kaupp et al 2018
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Reading: Klarner and Zehr 2018
Quiz Questions
1.What is a central pattern generator and what is its role in gait?
2. Summarize evidence that humans have central pattern generators.
3. What evidence is there that sensory feedback is modulated during locomotion?
March 23rd - Seminar: Gait
Reading: Kaupp et al 2018
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Section 9: Goal Directed Action
March 26th - Lecture: Goal Directed Action
Reading: Desmurget and Grafton 2000
Quiz Questions
1. What neural regions are implicated in movement planning and control?
2. What is the role of the inverse model in movement planning?
3. What is the role of the forward model in motor control?
March 30th - Seminar: Goal Directed Action
Reading: Blakemore et al. 2001
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Reading: Desmurget and Grafton 2000
Quiz Questions
1. What neural regions are implicated in movement planning and control?
2. What is the role of the inverse model in movement planning?
3. What is the role of the forward model in motor control?
March 30th - Seminar: Goal Directed Action
Reading: Blakemore et al. 2001
Quiz Question
1. In detail, summarize the article including the research question, methods (task, manipulation, and measures), results, and conclusion.
Unit 3 Exam
April 2nd
The instructor will randomly select two questions. You will write an essay answer on one of the chosen questions.
1. Discuss the significance of the fact that simple reflexes can be modulated by top down control. Include reference to a novel research paper that provides evidence to support your answer. Include an overview of the monosynaptic stretch reflex and how it can be modified by top down input.
2. Review the role and function of CPGs and the research evidence that they exist. Include reference to a novel research paper that provides evidence to support your answer. Include a diagram of a simple CPG circuit for human gait (legs only).
3. You reach out and grasp an apple. Discuss the role of inverse and forward models in achieving movement success. Ensure you reference the specific neural regions involved in the action and what they are doing. You do not need to discuss the visual processing necessary to localize the target for movement planning.
The instructor will randomly select two questions. You will write an essay answer on one of the chosen questions.
1. Discuss the significance of the fact that simple reflexes can be modulated by top down control. Include reference to a novel research paper that provides evidence to support your answer. Include an overview of the monosynaptic stretch reflex and how it can be modified by top down input.
2. Review the role and function of CPGs and the research evidence that they exist. Include reference to a novel research paper that provides evidence to support your answer. Include a diagram of a simple CPG circuit for human gait (legs only).
3. You reach out and grasp an apple. Discuss the role of inverse and forward models in achieving movement success. Ensure you reference the specific neural regions involved in the action and what they are doing. You do not need to discuss the visual processing necessary to localize the target for movement planning.