The goal of the Brain Dynamics Lab is:
to build a framework that links cognitive integrity and neural dynamics to provide a coherent understanding of how cognition emerges from operations in the brain. The following two areas of interest give the flavour of this approach:
1 | Neurocognitive aging and plasticity
Imaging and behavioural data generally suggest that the brain is a dynamic organism that works to maintain cognitive resilience throughout adulthood. However, with increasing age, brain structures decrease in volume and white matter density. The brain responds to these insults by engaging in plasticity, but we know little about the ‘best’ types of plasticity, and even less about the specific brain mechanisms that promote this adaptive plasticity. Our research combines learning paradigms, neuropsychological approaches, and neuroimaging to address these questions.
2 | Depression
The holy grail of psychiatry is to identify biomarkers of disease, but individual differences influence disease trajectories and treatment outcomes. We aim to move away from identifying differences between groups, and even from presenting aggregate results across multiple study participants. Instead, our aim is to combine information within-subject across multiple imaging modalities to identify unique biological signatures for predicting treatment responsiveness, and tailoring treatment strategies to individual patients with major depressive disorder.
Methodologies the BDL uses for research
The BDL utilizes innovative and modern technologies to non-invasively study the brain. Each method offers a unique lens into underlying brain dynamics which in turn affords the advancement of our understanding of human cognition.
Click for more about fMRI
Click for more about eeg
Click for more about behavioural testing
Are you interested in participating in our research studies?
