Nature and function of episodic memory
There is still great uncertainty as to what episodic memory is and what function it might serve. Within the research unit FOR 2812, we are working on an interdisciplinary framework for episodic memory.
I am a biomedical engineer by training and did my PhD in the computational neuroscience of the basal ganglia interacting with the thalamsus under the supervision of Dr. Robert Schmidt (University of Sheffield) and Prof. Jeanette Hellgren Kotaleski (KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm). Specifically, I investigated the neural mechanisms underlying movement initiation and cancelation. Since July 2019, I joined the group of computational neuroscience led by Prof. Dr. Sen Cheng to study the function of episodic memory in inference and prediction by using computational modeling approaches.
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Gain control of sensory input across polysynaptic circuitries in mouse visual cortex by a single G protein-coupled receptor type (5-HT2A)Barzan, R., Bozkurt, B., Nejad, M. M., Süß, S. T., Surdin, T., Böke, H., et al.Nature Communications, 15(1)Navigation and the efficiency of spatial coding: insights from closed-loop simulationsGhazinouri, B., Nejad, M. M., & Cheng, S.Brain Structure and Function, 229(3), 577–592
2023
Optogenetics reveals paradoxical network stabilizations in hippocampal CA1 and CA3de Jong, L. W., Nejad, M. M., Yoon, E., Cheng, S., & Diba, K.Current Biology, 33(9), 1689–1703.e52021
Basal ganglia and cortical control of thalamic rebound spikesNejad, M. M., Rotter, S., & Schmidt, R.European Journal of Neuroscience, 54(1), 4295–4313Basal ganglia and cortical control of thalamic rebound spikes-
Understanding the effects of place field size in spatial navigation using a spiking neural networkSens, Y.Applied Computer Science, Ruhr University Bochum, GermanySimulation of Spatial Behaviour using Spiking Neural NetworkMurugan, K. V.Master’s thesis, Computational Engineering, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
2020
Spiking Network Model Of Hippocampus To Store And Recall Individual Patterns
Neural mechanisms underlying spatial navigation
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.
Sequence memory in the hippocampus
The CRISP theory suggests that episodic memories are best represented by neuronal sequences and specific mechanisms by which sequences are stored and retrieved from the hippocampal circuit. Using neural network models, we investigate under which conditions the hippocampal circuit can perform the hypothesized functions reliably and robustly.
The Institut für Neuroinformatik (INI) is a central research unit of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. We aim to understand the fundamental principles through which organisms generate behavior and cognition while linked to their environments through sensory systems and while acting in those environments through 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 approaches from psychology and neurophysiology as well as theoretical approaches from physics, mathematics, electrical engineering and applied computer science, in particular machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer vision.
Universitätsstr. 150, Building NB, Room 3/32
D-44801 Bochum, GermanyTel: (+49) 234 32-28967
Fax: (+49) 234 32-14210
2021