Project description
Representations of decision-making from behaviour to the brain to computational models
Countless examples abound of comparisons of the human brain to a computer, yet zeros and ones are quite different from the continuum of our world and biological processes. Even the concept of decision-making is rarely a choice between two concrete possibilities or outcomes. While driving a car, we do not decide, for example, to either keep the steering wheel exactly where it is or to turn it 67 degrees to the right. Even that simple decision is faced with a continuum of possibilities. The EU-funded NEUROCIRCLE project will exploit cutting-edge electrophysiology to trace the decision-making process in alert, behaving subjects leading to a computational model for perceptual decisions on a continuum.
Objective
The neural computations underlying perceptual decisions have been a central interest for psychology and cognitive neuroscience for decades but, to date, this work has largely focussed on decisions with just two potential outcomes. Yet, in daily life we make countless decisions along a continuous dimension and the precision of these choices is of critical importance, such as when judging the direction of a tennis ball or adjusting course to avoid obstacles while driving. How does the brain implement such decisions while balancing the need for speed and accuracy? Separate parallel breakthroughs in computational modelling and neural signal tracing now provide me with an unprecedented opportunity to address this challenge and gain a mechanistic understanding of continuous-outcome decisions. I will be trained in innovative electrophysiological methods recently developed by my proposed supervisor, which will allow me to trace neural markers of the decision process in the human brain using electroencephalography. These signals will provide powerful constraints on a new computational model for decisions on a continuum that I worked on at the University of Melbourne. My unique background and expertise will allow me to incorporate methods from psychology, neuroscience and engineering to develop a novel computational and experimental paradigm that stands to have a major impact on basic and clinical research in the field of decision making. In so doing, the work will create a collaboration and skill exchange between three highly complementary labs in Dublin and Melbourne. After several years abroad, I will have the opportunity to reintegrate into the scientific community in Ireland and establish vital collaborations with world-class neuroscientists and clinicians at the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience. The networks and skills I will develop will set me up to establish an independent program of research on neurally-informed computational models of decision making.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
D02 CX56 Dublin
Ireland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.