
The neuropathologies of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia are hypothesized to be caused by perturbations to local cortical circuits and long-range interactions among them. In collaboration with researchers in Yale Psychiatry, we are exploring the circuit-level effects of synaptic perturbations, and the implications for associated cognitive deficits. In turn, we are using model predictions to inform the design of new experiments.

We apply diverse analysis techniques to datasets of neural activity, to better understand the neural circuit basis of the brain’s computational capabilities. There is a fruitful interplay between computational modeling and data analysis: Model predictions suggest analyses of experimental data, which in turn inform further development of models. We work with a variety of data, from single-neuron spike trains, to human neuroimaging, to behavior.
Distributed Neural Circuits for Cognition

Working memory and decision-making involve a distributed interacting network of brain areas. We model cognitive functions in distributed models of reciprocally interacting modules, and relate to electrophysiological and neuroimaging data.