Multi-level exploration of oscillatory brain networks: from neuronal mechanisms to cognition

导读：尽管最近有大量研究试图了解大脑网络动力学，但人们对局部处理和远距离大脑区域之间交流的确切机制仍然知之甚少。大量证据表明，特定频率的脑节律（即神经元振荡）与宽带活动一起在局部和远程神经元同步中发挥关键作用。然而，我们对大脑如何编码和处理信息的知识是碎片化的，这一事实阻碍了我们对其机制的理解，因为现有的神经生物学数据来自于在非常不同的空间和时间观察尺度上研究大脑的研究。******目标：本研究计划的目标是通过解决两个核心和密切相关的问题来推进我们对振荡脑动力学的理解：(A)大规模网络级神经元振荡、局部节律性群体活动和神经元放电之间的关系（系统神经科学轴）和(B)这些不同的多层次神经元特征如何与认知和行为差异相关（认知神经科学轴）。******方法：该提案的系统神经科学部分结合了人类的侵入性和非侵入性电生理测量（MEG，颅内脑电图和植入人类患者的微电极记录）。这种多尺度方法将为探索人类神经元放电（多单元活动，MUA），群体活动（局部场电位，LFPs）和表面水平神经磁信号之间的机制关系提供极其难得的机会。与此同时，认知神经科学部分的研究计划将试图确定这些神经元标记是否以及在多大程度上差异地调节（或被调节）行为和认知过程。为此，我们将研究自发的大脑活动（静息状态数据）以及在基于任务的认知实验中获得的数据（例如目标导向行为，决策和情感处理任务）。******新颖性和预期影响：该提议的一个标志是多学科方法和多尺度侵入性和非侵入性脑测量的结合，包括罕见的人类单单位微记录。因此，拟议的研究处于系统神经科学、神经成像、神经工程、电生理学和认知神经科学的十字路口。将多个空间尺度的大脑研究结果联系起来的能力，有可能揭示局部和大规模大脑功能结构的基本控制原则，从而增强我们对网络大脑动力学在认知中的作用的理解，并最终在疾病中崩溃。**

Introduction: Despite the recent surge in studies attempting to understand brain network dynamics, the precise mechanisms that underlie local processing and communication between distant brain areas are still poorly understood. A large body of evidence suggests that frequency-specific brain rhythms (i.e. neuronal oscillations) alongside broadband activities play a key role in local and long-range neuronal synchronization. However, our understanding of the mechanisms at play is impeded by the fact that our knowledge of how our brain encodes and processes information is fragmented because the available neurobiological data stem from studies that address the brain at very different spatial and temporal observation scales.******Goal: The goal of this research proposal is to advance our understanding of oscillatory brain dynamics by addressing two central and closely related questions: (A) What is the relationship between large-scale network-level neuronal oscillations, local rhythmic population activity and neuronal firing (Systems Neuroscience axis) and (B) How are these various multi-level neuronal signatures differentially related to cognition and behaviour (Cognitive Neuroscience axis). ******Methodology: The Systems Neuroscience part of the proposal combines invasive and non-invasive electrophysiological measurements in humans (MEG, intracranial EEG and microelectrode recordings in implanted human patients). This multi-scale approach will provide an extremely rare opportunity to probe in humans the mechanistic relationship between neuronal firing (multi-unit activity, MUA), population activity (local field potentials, LFPs) and surface-level neuromagnetic signals. In parallel, the research planned for the Cognitive Neuroscience part will seek to determine whether and to which extent these neuronal markers differentially mediate (or are modulated by) behaviour and cognitive processes. To this end, we will examine spontaneous brain activity (resting state data) as well as data acquired in task-based cognitive experiments (e.g. goal-directed behaviour, decision making and emotion processing tasks). ******Novelty and expected impact: A hallmark of this proposal is the combination of multi-disciplinary methods and multi-scale invasive and non-invasive brain measurements, including rare access to single-unit micro-recordings in humans. The proposed research lies therefore at the crossroads of systems neuroscience, neuroimaging, neuro-engineering, electrophysiology and cognitive neuroscience. The ability to link the findings of brain research across multiple spatial scales carries the potential to reveal basic governing principles in local and large-scale brain functional architecture and thereby enhance our understanding of the role of network brain dynamics in cognition and eventually its breakdown in disease. **