The Automatic Neuroscientist: A framework for optimizing experimental design with closed-loop real-time fMRI.

ABSTRACT: Functional neuroimaging typically explores how a particular task activates a set of brain regions. Importantly though, the same neural system can be activated by inherently different tasks. To date, there is no approach available that systematically explores whether and how distinct tasks probe the same neural system. Here, we propose and validate an alternative framework, the Automatic Neuroscientist, which turns the standard fMRI approach on its head. We use real-time fMRI in combination with modern machine-learning techniques to automatically design the optimal experiment to evoke a desired target brain state. In this work, we present two proof-of-principle studies involving perceptual stimuli. In both studies optimization algorithms of varying complexity were employed; the first involv

SUBMITTER: Lorenz R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4819592 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature