I am originally a physicist and now a computational neuroscientist. I study the underlying neural mechanisms of spatial navigation in the brain, specifically in the hippocampus. I model spatial memory with spiking neural networks.
Spatial navigation is a common ability among animals. Many neural populations in the brain of mammals, e.g. place cells and grid cells, exhibit activity correlated with spatial variables and therefore represent spatial information. However, the link between neural activity of such neurons and spatial navigation behavior or learning is not well understood. I propose to develop and study a computational model of spatial navigationand learning based on spiking neural networks. First, I will extend an existing computational model, which is currently able to navigate with place cells, and enhance it with the ability to navigate with grid cells in several different 2D environments. Learning is reinforced when the agent moves close to the location of the reward. Next, I will compare navigation based on either place or grid cells. Finally I will simulate pathological conditionsof different neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease in the place and grid cells of my agent. Hereby, my work will contribute to translational neuroscience and potentially suggest treatments for neurological disorders.
A large number of cell types in the mammalian brain code for various types of spatial information, e.g., head direction cells, place cells, and grid cells. We study how networks of these cell types could support spatial navigation by combining computational modeling and data analysis.
The Institut für Neuroinformatik (INI) is a research unit of the Faculty of Computer Science at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Its scientific goal is to understand the fundamental principles through which organisms generate behavior and cognition while linked to their environments through sensory and effector systems. Inspired by our insights into such natural cognitive systems, we seek new solutions to problems of information processing in artificial cognitive systems. We draw from a variety of disciplines that include experimental psychology and neurophysiology as well as machine learning, neural artificial intelligence, computer vision, and robotics.
Universitätsstr. 150, Building NB, Room 3/32
D-44801 Bochum, Germany
Tel: (+49) 234 32-28967
Fax: (+49) 234 32-14210
