Core 3: Computational (290-307)

计算建模核心旨在支持在该中心提出的一系列项目中开发生物学上可信的计算模型。已经为所有拟议项目中采用的实验任务开发了各种现有模型。这包括认知控制(项目1)、学习(项目2)、情绪(项目3)、多痛能对执行功能的影响(项目4)和儿童发展(项目5)的模型。因为这些模型是生物学上的 受此启发，他们同时考虑了神经生物学和心理上对加工的限制。计算模型的发展为以机械方式综合实验结果，并为进一步的实验研究产生预测提供了一种重要的方法。这些模型将与经验调查并行使用，以便它们可以相互通报。由于这些特点，计算核心明确提出了一个中心目标，即在我们对执行功能的理解中将分析(计算、心理和神经生物学)的层次联系起来。 与计算核心相关的人员将为中心内的所有项目提供有关创建、实施和评估计算模型的教师和博士后专业知识。此外，它还将为这些调查提供计算基础设施，并为中心成员提供培训材料和培训机会。 执行功能的计算模型可以通过多种方式提供对精神障碍的洞察。例如，由于伦理或实际原因，模型可以被“损坏”或以不可能在实验中进行的方式进行更改。因此，它们可以提供对支持无序思维或情绪过程的机制的洞察。此外，它们还可能提供对克服此类障碍可能有效的机制或干预措施的见解。为这个中心提出的模型尤其如此，这些模型明确地与神经解剖学和大脑系统的功能以及支持执行功能的心理过程有关。

The computational modeling core is designed to support the development of biologically plausible computational models across the range of projects proposed in the center. Various existing models have been developed for the experimental tasks employed across all of the proposed projects. This includes models of cognitive control (Project 1), learning (Project 2), emotion (Project 3), dompainergic infulences on executive funciton (Project 4) and child development (Project 5). Because these models are biologically inspired they consider both neurobiological and psychological constraints on processing. The development of computational models provides an important way of synthesizing experimental results in a mechanistic fashion, and generating predictions for further experimental studies. These models will be used in parallel with empirical investigations so that they can inform each other. Because of these characteristics, the computational core explicitly addresses a center goal of linking levels of analysis (computational, psychological, and neurobiological) in our understanding of executive function. The personnel associated with the computational core will provide both the faculty and post-doctoral expertise with regards to the creation, implementation and evaulation of comptuational models for all projects within the center. In addition, it will provide the computational infrastructure for those investigations as well as training materials and training opportunity for center members. Computational models of executive function can provide insights into psychiatric disorders in numerous ways. For example, models can be "lesioned" or altered in ways that are impossible to do experimentally for either ethical or practical reasons. As such, they can provide insights into the mechanisms that support disordered thoughts or emotional processes. Furthermore, they may provide insights into mechanisms or interventions that might be effective in overcoming such disorders. This is especially true of the models proposed for this center, which are explicitly linked to the neuroanatomy and functioning of brain systems as well as the psychological processes that support executive function.