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Systems Neuroscience

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http://hdl.handle.net/10400.7/135
We are interested in understanding the principles underlying the complex adaptive behavior of organisms. Starting with quantitative observations of animal behavior, we aim to integrate quantitative cellular and systems level experimental analysis of underlying neural mechanisms with theoretical, ecological and evolutionary contexts. Rats and mice provide flexible animal models that allow us monitor and manipulate neural circuits using electrophysiological, optical and molecular techniques. We have made progress using highly-controlled studies of a simple learned odor-cued decision task and are extending our focus toward more complex behaviors. Projects in the lab are wide-ranging and continually evolving. Current topics include (i) olfactory sensory decision-making, (ii) the function of the serotonin system, (iii) the role of uncertainty in brain function and behavior, (iv) role of frontal cortex in action inhibition.

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Browsing Systems Neuroscience by Author "Kepecs, A"

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  • Neural representation of behavioral outcomes in the orbitofrontal cortex
    Publication . Mainen, ZF; Kepecs, A
    The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is important in processing rewards and other behavioral outcomes. Here, we review from a computational perspective recent progress in understanding this complex function. OFC neurons appear to represent abstract outcome values, which may facilitate the comparison of options, as well as concrete outcome attributes, such as flavor or location, which may enable predictive cues to access current outcome values in the face of dynamic modulation by internal state, context and learning. OFC can use reinforcement learning to generate outcome predictions; it can also generate outcome predictions using other mechanisms, including the evaluation of decision confidence or uncertainty. OFC neurons encode not only the mean expected outcome but also the variance, consistent with the idea that OFC uses a probabilistic population code to represent outcomes. We suggest that further attention to the nature of its representations and algorithms will be critical to further elucidating OFC function.
    2009-02Journal article Open access Show more