MRC Transition Support. CDA. Jill O'Reilly.

我的研究关注的是我们的大脑如何建立我们生活环境的模型，并利用这些模型做出决策和计划行为。我的研究小组理解大脑的方法是使用计算模型。我们开发实验游戏，模拟人们在现实世界中面临的问题，比如在两个看不清的选项中做出选择。然后我们编写算法（在计算机程序中实现），以不同的方式解决任务，并测试哪种算法最适合人类行为。接下来，我们利用大脑回路的知识来研究如何通过真实大脑中的神经元群来计算这些算法。我使用非侵入性成像技术，如核磁共振成像，来测量人类的大脑活动。我的一些模型还预测了不同的大脑化学物质（神经递质和神经调节剂）如何影响大脑对信息的处理。为了验证这些假设，我将给健康的志愿者服用小剂量的影响神经递质浓度的药物，并观察他们的行为和大脑活动的变化。我的研究项目面临的一个主要技术挑战是，我们不能在不打开头骨的情况下，简单地记录人类大脑中神经元的活动。为了在非侵入性实验中验证我们的假设，我们需要弄清楚神经元的模拟活动将如何反映在我们可以使用大脑扫描（功能磁共振成像或脑磁图）等非侵入性技术测量的信号中。在过去的四年里，我们花了大部分时间来解决这个问题，现在我们有信心我们有好的模型。然而，我们尚未能够完成计划中的药物研究，这需要大量缓慢而谨慎的工作才能安全地完成。我现在正在申请额外的研究经费，以帮助我完成拟议的研究。大部分资金是为了留住我团队中的一名关键员工。其中一些资金是用来购买我一定比例的教学时间，这样我就能花更多的时间专注于研究和支持我的团队。

My research is concerned with how our brains build models of the environment in which we live, and use those models to make decisions and plan behaviour. My research group's approach to understanding the brain is to use computational modelling. We develop experimental games that simulate problems people face in the real world, such as choosing between two options that cannot be clearly seen. Then we code algorithms (implemented in computer programmes) that solve the tasks in different ways, and test which algorithm is the best fit to human behaviour. Next, we use our knowledge of brain circuits to work out how these algorithms could be computed by populations of neurons in a real brain. I measure brain activity in humans using non-invasive imaging techniques such as MRI. Some of my models also make predictions about how different brain chemicals (neurotransmitters and neuromodulators) affect the processing of information by the brain. To test these hypotheses, I will give healthy volunteers small doses of drugs that affect neurotransmitter concentrations and observe the resulting changes in their behaviour and brain activity.A major technical challenge for my research programme is that we cannot simply record the activity of neurons in the human brain, without opening up the skull. To test our hypotheses in non-invasive experiments, we need work out how the modelled activity of neurons will be reflected in signals we can measure using non-invasive techniques like brain scanning (functional magnetic resonance imaging or magnetoencephalography). During the last four years, we have spent most of our time on solving this problem and are now confident that we have good models. However, we have not yet been able to complete the planned drug studies, which require a lot of slow and careful work to be done safely.I am now applying for additional funding for my research programme to help me complete the proposed research. The bulk of the funding is to retain a key staff member in my team. Some of the funding is to buy out a percentage of my time from teaching so I am able to spend more time focussing on research and supporting my team.