From empirical problem-solving to theoretical problem-finding perspectives on the cognitive sciences

Published: Oct. 19, 2023

Meta-theoretical perspectives on the research problems and activities of (cognitive) scientists often emphasize empirical problem-solving as main aspects that account for scientific progress. While certainly useful to shed light issues theory-observation relationships, these conceptual analyses typically begin when are already there researchers solve. As a result, role theoretical problem-finding remain comparatively obscure. How do Cognitive Science arise, what they comprise, empirically theoretically? Here we attempt understand lead adequate explanations through broader conception must attend how come about. To this end, bring out obscurity paint more integrative picture complement advance cognitive science.

Language: Английский

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Bridging Brain and Cognition: A Multilayer Network Analysis of Brain Structural Covariance and General Intelligence in a Developmental Sample of Struggling Learners

Journal of Intelligence, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9(2), P. 32 - 32

Published: June 15, 2021

Network analytic methods that are ubiquitous in other areas, such as systems neuroscience, have recently been used to test network theories psychology, including intelligence research. The or mutualism theory of proposes the statistical associations among cognitive abilities (e.g., specific vocabulary memory) stem from causal relations them throughout development. In this study, we models (specifically LASSO) and brain structural covariance (grey white matter) simultaneously model brain–behavior relationships essential for general a large (behavioral, N = 805; cortical volume, 246; fractional anisotropy, 165) developmental (ages 5–18) cohort struggling learners (CALM). We found mostly positive, small partial correlations pervade our cognitive, neural, multilayer networks. Moreover, using community detection (Walktrap algorithm) calculating node centrality (absolute strength bridge strength), convergent evidence subsets both neural nodes play an intermediary role ‘between’ behavior. discuss implications possible avenues future studies.

Language: Английский

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The Human Affectome

Published: June 11, 2022

Over the last decades, interdisciplinary field of affective sciences has seen proliferation rather than integration theoretical perspectives. This is due to differences in metaphysical and mechanistic assumptions about human phenomena (what they are how work) which, shaped by academic motivations values, have determined constructs operationalizations. An assumption on purpose phenomenacan be used as a teleological principle guide construction common set assumptions—a framework for research. In this capstone paper special issue “Towards an Integrated Understanding Human Affectome”, we gather tiered synthesize that account phenomenacollectively. teleologically-grounded offers principled agenda launchpad both organizing existing perspectives generating new ones. Ultimately, hope Affectome brings us step closer not only integrated understanding phenomena, but

Language: Английский

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Remapping in a recurrent neural network model of navigation and context inference

eLife, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: May 9, 2023

Neurons in navigational brain regions provide information about position, orientation, and speed relative to environmental landmarks. These cells also change their firing patterns ('remap') response changing contextual factors such as cues, task conditions, behavioral states, which influence neural activity throughout the brain. How can circuits preserve local computations while responding global context changes? To investigate this question, we trained recurrent network models track position simple environments at same time reporting transiently-cued changes. We show that these combined constraints (navigation inference) produce are qualitatively similar population-wide remapping entorhinal cortex, a region. Furthermore, identify solution generalizes more complex navigation inference tasks. thus simple, general, experimentally-grounded model of one circuit performing both inference.

Language: Английский

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A Critical Perspective on Neural Mechanisms in Cognitive Neuroscience: Towards Unification

Perspectives on Psychological Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(6), P. 993 - 1010

Published: Aug. 29, 2023

A central pursuit of cognitive neuroscience is to find neural mechanisms cognition, with research programs favoring different strategies look for them. But what a mechanism, and how do we know have captured them? Here I answer these questions through framework that integrates Marr’s levels philosophical work on mechanism. From this, the following goal emerges: What needs be explained are computations explanation itself given by mechanism—composed algorithms parts brain realize This reveals delineation within research. In premechanism stage, cognition linked phenomena in brain, narrowing down where when situated space time. mechanism it established computation emerges from organized interactions between parts—filling premechanistic mold. explain why shift toward mechanistic modeling helps us meet our aims while outlining road map doing so. Finally, argue explanatory scope can approximated effect sizes collected across studies, not just conceptual analysis. Together, points synthesize agenda allows subfields connect at level theory.

Language: Английский

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Animal Models in Neuroscience: What Is the “Culture of Care”?

Encyclopedia, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4(1), P. 215 - 233

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

In situations where animal models (AMs) are necessary, as in the field of neuroscience, a strong culture care must be supported and established. The pivotal question remains: how can we uphold robust “culture care”? multifaceted domain neuroscience research, AMs traverse spectrum shaped by conflicting viewpoints, anthropocentrism pathocentrism, established scientific norms intersect with ethical deliberations. Anthropocentrism, representative conventional approaches, may prioritize goals potentially to detriment welfare. Conversely, pathocentrism places significant importance on treatment well-being AMs. This divergence approach prompts imperative development framework within research institutions, advocating for welfare, responsibility, adherence regulatory standards. this review, refer European view care, discussing internationally valid concepts that find rebuttal current legislation. review meticulously analyzes many facets particularly studies involving AMs, illustrating principles, practices, collaborations critical overcoming expectations. commitment increases credibility builds trust public spheres, underscoring ethics research.

Language: Английский

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COVID-19 and silent hypoxemia in a minimal closed-loop model of the respiratory rhythm generator

Biological Cybernetics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 118(3-4), P. 145 - 163

Published: June 17, 2024

Abstract Silent hypoxemia, or “happy hypoxia,” is a puzzling phenomenon in which patients who have contracted COVID-19 exhibit very low oxygen saturation ( $$\text {SaO}_2$$ SaO 2 < 80%) but do not experience discomfort breathing. The mechanism by this blunted response to hypoxia occurs unknown. We previously shown that computational model of the respiratory neural network (Diekman et al. J Neurophysiol 118(4):2194–2215, 2017) can be used test hypotheses focused on changes chemosensory inputs central pattern generator (CPG). hypothesize altered function at level carotid bodies and/or nucleus tractus solitarii are responsible for hypoxia. Here, we use our explore hypothesis altering properties gain representing sensing CPG. then vary other parameters and show carrying capacity most salient factor producing silent hypoxemia. call clinicians measure hematocrit as clinical index physiology infection.

Language: Английский

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Eight challenges in developing theory of intelligence

Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 18

Published: July 24, 2024

A good theory of mathematical beauty is more practical than any current observation, as new predictions about physical reality can be self-consistently verified. This belief applies to the status understanding deep neural networks including large language models and even biological intelligence. Toy provide a metaphor reality, allowing mathematically formulating (i.e., so-called theory), which updated conjectures are justified or refuted. One does not need present all details in model, but rather, abstract constructed, complex systems such brains have many sloppy dimensions much less stiff that strongly impact macroscopic observables. type bottom-up mechanistic modeling still promising modern era natural artificial Here, we shed light on eight challenges developing intelligence following this theoretical paradigm. Theses representation learning, generalization, adversarial robustness, continual causal internal model brain, next-token prediction, mechanics subjective experience.

Language: Английский

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From Empirical Problem-Solving to Theoretical Problem-Finding Perspectives on the Cognitive Sciences

Computational Brain & Behavior, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 14, 2024

Abstract Meta-theoretical perspectives on the research problems and activities of (cognitive) scientists often emphasize empirical problem-solving as main aspects that account for scientific progress. While certainly useful to shed light issues theory-observation relationships, these conceptual analyses typically begin when are already there researchers solve. As a result, role theoretical problem-finding remain comparatively obscure. How do Cognitive Science arise, what they comprise, empirically theoretically? Here, we attempt understand lead adequate explanations through broader conception must attend how come about. To this end, bring out obscurity paint more integrative picture complement advance cognitive science.

Language: Английский

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Mental Time Travel: A Retrospective

Hippocampus, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 35(1)

Published: Dec. 16, 2024

Because imagination activates the same neural circuits used in understanding present, one can access that even non-linguistic animals through decoding techniques applied to large ensembles. This personal retrospective traces history of initial discovery hippocampal theta sequences sweep forward goals during moments deliberation and discusses was necessary put ourselves position recognize this signal. It also how fits into larger picture function concept cognition as computation.

Language: Английский

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