Connectionists: Donders Summer School on Neural Metrics

[Marcel van Gerven]

Radboud Summer School
Neural metrics: Quantitative analysis of neural organisation and function

The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour is organizing a summer school on neural metrics where the aim is to get participants acquainted with the quantitative analysis of neural organisation and function. We have compiled an exciting program with an excellent set of national and international speakers. Topics range from the analysis of single-neuron responses to the analysis of macroscopic brain networks. The course is designed for PhD students and starting postdoctoral researchers working at the interface between cognitive neuroscience and the application of advanced methods. Please consult the Radboud Summer School website for details on the programme, social events and registration. Further details for the Neural Metrics Summer School can be found below and on the website. Note that the early bird deadline is April 1st.

Dates
Monday 11 August - Friday 15 August 2014 (one week)

Course leaders
Dr. M. (Marcel) van Gerven, Assisstant Professor
Prof. T. (Tansu) Celikel, Professor Neurophysiology
Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour

Entry level
PhD students in the field of Neuroscience with an MSc in Biology, Computer Science, Psychology, Physics, Al or similar subject

For whom is this course designed
This course was developed for PhD students (10 local + 20 international) and early postdoctoral researchers working at the interface between cognitive neuroscience and the application of advanced methods. This includes cognitive neuroscientists and researchers with practical experience. 

Admission requirements
As part of the admission procedure, we ask you to send us your CV and a motivation letter in which you explain your interest for our course.

Course fee
€400 
The course fee includes the registration fee, course materials, access to library and IT facilities, coffee/tea, lunch, and a number of social                                         activities. Accommodation is available for the course participants.  For details please see http://www.ru.nl/radboudsummerschool/practical-matters/housing/

Discounts
• 10% discount for early bird applicants. The early bird deadline is 1 April 2014.
• 15% discount for students and PhD candidates from Radboud University and partner universities

Course description

The brain as a network
In order to fully understand the neuronal substrate of human cognition, we need to start viewing the working brain as a network.Many neurological and mental disorders are viewed as the result of a malfunction at the network level. The growing interest in brain networks is complemented by rapid theoretical and technical developments. We will embrace these developments throughout the course to help us understand the human brain network. This will be done by examining the theoretical background and by learning the necessary measurement and data analysis techniques used to study brain connectivity. The topics will be structured according to micro, meso and macro-scale connectivity.

Course contents
Micro-scale connectivity involves neuron communication at the cellular and synaptic level; mesa-scale connectivity addresses communication between brain regions; and macro-scale connectivity explores the structure and dynamics of large brain networks. We will strive to include components of electrophysiology, anatomy, functional blood flow measures, computational modelling and advanced data analysis at each level. While doing so, we will focus on both the animal and human brain. The course consists of lectures and computer exercises, supplemented with in-depth discussions. Lecture slides and exercises will also be distributed among the participants.

We will ensure active participation in the following way:
• In the hands-on sessions you will work together in small groups (2-3 people). These sessions will include exercises aimed at promoting discussions and encouraging you to reflect on the core theoretical issues.

Learning outcomes
1. Understand new techniques and approaches in the field of neuroscience networks
2. Understand the basics of new connectivity analysis tools 
3. Understand new theories and computational modelling approaches
4. Identify the appropriate research methodology for answering specific research questions on brain connectivity
5. Improve your communication skills and develop research questions in a group setting

Number of ECTS credits
2 ECTS credits

Registration
For registration, please consult the website. 

More information
radboudsummerschool at ru.nl
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