The importance of task design and behavioral control for understanding the neural basis of cognitive functions

Current Opinion in Neurobiology
Christopher R Fetsch

Abstract

The success of systems neuroscience depends on the ability to forge quantitative links between neural activity and behavior. Traditionally, this process has benefited from the rigorous development and testing of hypotheses using tools derived from classical psychophysics and computational motor control. As our capacity for measuring neural activity improves, accompanied by powerful new analysis strategies, it seems prudent to remember what these traditional approaches have to offer. Here I present a perspective on the merits of principled task design and tight behavioral control, along with some words of caution about interpretation in unguided, large-scale neural recording studies. I argue that a judicious combination of new and old approaches is the best way to advance our understanding of higher brain function in health and disease.

References

Jan 1, 1984·Vision Research·D Y Teller
Nov 7, 1996·Nature·A A Kustov, D L Robinson
Apr 8, 1998·Annual Review of Neuroscience·A J Parker, W T Newsome
Nov 25, 2005·Nature Neuroscience·Nicole C Rust, J Anthony Movshon
Jun 30, 2007·Annual Review of Neuroscience·Joshua I Gold, Michael N Shadlen
Jan 10, 2008·Psychological Science·Chris McKinstryMichael J Spivey
Mar 21, 2008·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Roozbeh KianiMichael N Shadlen
Apr 28, 2009·Nature Neuroscience·Nikolaus KriegeskorteChris I Baker
Sep 26, 2009·Neuron·Joseph W Kable, Paul W Glimcher
Mar 30, 2010·Annual Review of Neuroscience·Paul Cisek, John F Kalaska
Jan 29, 2011·Nature Neuroscience·David J Freedman, John A Assad
Apr 1, 2011·Journal of Neurophysiology·Ignasi CosPaul Cisek
Apr 5, 2011·Annual Review of Neuroscience·Camillo Padoa-Schioppa
Nov 4, 2011·Journal of Neurophysiology·Mark H HistedJohn H R Maunsell
Nov 15, 2011·Neuron·David W Franklin, Daniel M Wolpert
Nov 24, 2011·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Matteo Carandini, David J Heeger
Mar 1, 2012·Experimental Brain Research·J Andrew Pruszynski, Stephen H Scott
Mar 8, 2012·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Luc P J SelenDaniel M Wolpert
Mar 28, 2012·Nature Neuroscience·Matteo Carandini
Jul 10, 2012·Journal of Neurophysiology·Ignasi CosPaul Cisek
Oct 4, 2012·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Stephen H Scott
Apr 9, 2013·Neuron·Mark G StokesJohn Duncan
May 21, 2013·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Christopher R FetschDora E Angelaki
Jun 27, 2013·Nature Neuroscience·Matteo Carandini, Anne K Churchland
Aug 27, 2013·Neuron·Long Ding, Joshua I Gold
Nov 5, 2013·Neuron·Michael N Shadlen, Roozbeh Kiani
Jan 31, 2014·Visual Neuroscience·M J MorganJ A Solomon
Feb 11, 2014·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·David Sussillo
Jun 1, 2014·Neuroscience·J C A Read
Jun 6, 2014·Journal of Neurophysiology·Ignasi CosPaul Cisek
Jul 30, 2014·Nature Methods·Jeremy FreemanMisha B Ahrens
Aug 26, 2014·Nature Neuroscience·John P Cunningham, Byron M Yu
Oct 29, 2014·Nature Neuroscience·Terrence J SejnowskiJ Anthony Movshon
Nov 11, 2014·Nature Neuroscience·David RaposoAnne K Churchland
Jan 31, 2015·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·Misha B Ahrens, Florian Engert
Mar 13, 2015·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Victor de LafuenteMichael N Shadlen
Apr 8, 2015·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·Stephen G Lisberger, Javier F Medina
Jun 20, 2015·Science·Markus SiegelEarl K Miller
Sep 30, 2015·PLoS Biology·Christopher C Pack, Sliman J Bensmaia

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 15, 2016·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·D Gowanlock R TervoSamuel J Gershman
Jul 18, 2017·Frontiers in Neuroscience·Mijail D Serruya
May 28, 2019·Reviews in the Neurosciences·Francisco Almeida

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
Henry D Schlinger
Brain Research
Suzanna Becker, Nathaniel D Daw
Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior
Kelly A VaughnArturo E Hernandez
Science
Henry L Roediger, Kathleen B McDermott
Sheng li xue bao : [Acta physiologica Sinica]
Sheng Li
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved