Deep Decisions: Uncovering the Subcortical Role in Perceptual Choice

Host

Naz Belkaya, PhD Student, Circuit Dynamics & Computation

Venue

Seminar room

Abstract

Understanding of how the mammalian brain makes decisions centers largely on the integrative functions of the cerebral cortex. Yet organisms lacking a cerebral cortex can combine information from different sources to make decisions. This lecture will focus on the roles of the superior colliculus and basal ganglia in perceptual decision-making. The emerging view is that deep brain structures play a critical role in flexible, goal-directed choices and cognitive control.

Biography

Dr. Basso studied Neuroscience at Stony Brook University in NY and was a post-doctoral fellow at the National Eye Institute, NIH. After serving as Director of the Fuster Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience she was recruited to the University of Washington, where she holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics. The work performed in Dr. Basso’s laboratory is aimed at unravelling the neuronal circuits of decision-making in health and disease. Her work spans multiple species and employs multiple technologies designed to understand how memory and sensory information are combined to give rise to our decisions and choices of action. Dr. Basso is also an outspoken advocate for vital importance of the responsible and humane involvement of nonhuman animals, especially primates, in neuroscience research.

Register here.
 

About CR Colloquia Series

Champalimaud Research (CR) Colloquia Series is a seminar programme organised by the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown to promote the discussion about the most interesting and significant questions in neuroscience and physiology & cancer with appointed speakers by the CR Community.