Research
The sensory world is a “buzzing, booming” confusion of information. The brain processes different types of information in different areas and reunites the information to produce the impression of a seamless, integrated world. How the brain solves the “binding problem” is poorly understood. VPAL works to solve this problem by using multiple converging techniques. Understanding the neural basis of binding will help us to understand conditions in which binding fails e.g. autism, schizophrenia, Williams Syndrome, etc.
Behaviour
The first step to understanding the neural circuitry that mediates attention and binding is to observe and understand participants’ behaviour. We measure the accuracy and reaction time of participants’ judgments of sensory information. Recording their eye movements via infrared cameras also allows us to investigate how the brain extracts sensory information in real time.
Neuroimaging
EEG measures synchronized activity across populations of neurons, with high temporal resolution, while participants are performing behavioural tasks. This technique lends itself well to a wide range of participants including children and special populations. fMRI compliments EEG data by providing high spatial resolution. Together they produce a clear picture of the brain activity underlying cognition.
Neurophysiology
Delving down to the next level, we analyze the responses of individual neurons to determine the algorithms by which they encode our perceptions. We then combine neuronal and EEG recordings to determine how activity across the network of brain areas controls attention and binds sensory information to produce our experience of a rich and vibrant world.
When we look around, we see objects in different places. The visual system uses spatial location to speed processing. Attention to a location can enhance visual processing there, such as when you're batting waiting for a pitch or a goalie ready to block a shot. You also use spatial attention to inhibit locations that are distracting or irrelevant to the task at hand.
We are investigating the different mechanisms involved in spatial attention. The results will aid in understanding attentional disorders such as neglect and ADHD.