Kosciessa, Julian

I am interested how neural dynamics practically constrain implementations of cognition. Specifically, I am interested in different dynamic regimes in the brain, and their non-invasive assessment. At the psychological level, I am interested in how the brain represents, and adapts, to environmental uncertainty around it. Linking these interests, I consider the role of subcortical structures and neuromodulation in the dynamic engagement of cortical regimes in service of perception, cognition and action.

Dynamic characterization of neural rhythms. Neural rhythms provide insights into how the human brain coordinates information processing in time and space. However, rhythms are not constantly present in neural recordings and a major goal is to identify rhythmic periods in time to better characterize these rhythmic signals and unlock insights into their generation and function.

Characterization of ‘neural complexity’. Aside from neural rhythms, the brain can dynamically interact across multiple temporal and spatial scales (e.g., within and across brain regions). This gives rise to a plethora of signatures observed at the scalp. A major goal is to better characterize these fluctuations to infer the presence of different cortical activity regimes.

Facing environmental uncertainty. Humans frequently face complex environments with varying degrees of uncertainty about what should receive priority in processing. A major interest of mine concerns how the brain identifies this uncertainty, and how it changes its dynamics to create an adaptive course of action.

Thalamic influences on cortical dynamics and cognition. While traditionally considered an early relay for sensory information, the centrally-located thalamus is ideally suited to exert a large influence on the fine computations in cortex. However, its multifaceted influence on the dynamics of cortical networks and higher-order cognition is only starting to be uncovered. I use a multi-modal approach combining high temporal resolution in the cortical EEG with high spatial resolution with fMRI to probe these conceptual relations.