Eyes are Ears, Hands are Eyes: Understanding Multisensory Integration in the Brain via Neurocomputational Models
Event details
| Date | 01.10.2015 |
| Hour | 16:00 › 17:00 |
| Speaker | Elisa Magosso, University of Bologna |
| Location |
Campus Biotech, H8-01 144.165
|
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Information from different sensory modalities are not processed as independently in our brain, but they interact with one another (multisensory integration, MSI). This brain’s ability is fundamental to obtain a more complete sensory experience and to elaborate efficient responses to external events: response latencies, stimulus detection, conflict resolution are greatly enhanced by the multisensory integrative capabilities. Due to its exceptional importance on behavior, a multitude of data have been collected on MSI in the past decades, highlighting complex non-linear mechanisms of brain integrative phenomena and plastic changes depending on sensory experience. Because of this complexity, a key tool for a deeper understanding of brain MSI is represented by neurocomputational models.
This talk pressent some recent neurocomputational models developed by the group of Biomedical Engineering at University of Bologna, distinguishing between: i) Models of MSI in subcortical structure (the Superior Colliculus); ii) Models of MSI in higher-level associative cortices (parietal regions); iii) Models of MSI in early cortical areas (primary cortices). For each of them, emphasis will be placed on underlying physiological aspects, architectural schemes and plastic phenomena. We will show that, although devoted to different problems and simulating different brain regions, the models share some common fundamental mechanisms that may drive more generally perception and sensory fusion in the brain. With these exemplary models, we illustrate the importance of the dialogue between theoretical and experimental research in promoting advancement in the comprehension of multisensory integration processes, and more generally of cognitive processes.
This talk pressent some recent neurocomputational models developed by the group of Biomedical Engineering at University of Bologna, distinguishing between: i) Models of MSI in subcortical structure (the Superior Colliculus); ii) Models of MSI in higher-level associative cortices (parietal regions); iii) Models of MSI in early cortical areas (primary cortices). For each of them, emphasis will be placed on underlying physiological aspects, architectural schemes and plastic phenomena. We will show that, although devoted to different problems and simulating different brain regions, the models share some common fundamental mechanisms that may drive more generally perception and sensory fusion in the brain. With these exemplary models, we illustrate the importance of the dialogue between theoretical and experimental research in promoting advancement in the comprehension of multisensory integration processes, and more generally of cognitive processes.
Practical information
- General public
- Registration required
- This event is internal
Organizer
- Andrea Serino, LNCO