Cognitive Control Functions of the Human Thalamus

Study Summary

The goal of this research project is to investigate how brain lesions affect our ability to generate goal-directed behaviors - a cognitive function commonly referred to as cognitive control. To support goal-directed behaviors, the human brain must adaptively direct thoughts and actions depending on the current goals and contexts. Our principal hypothesis is that this cognitive capacity depends on a brain network architecture that can flexibly transmit, select, and inhibit information along neural pathways. Therefore, lesions and damages to critical brain network components will negatively affect behavior. To faithfully assess the structure and function of human brain networks and its disruption from brain lesions, investigators will recruit healthy adult human subjects and patients with brain lesions to participate in a multi-session study that includes cognitive behavioral tests, structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a 3 Tesla (3T) scanner, and electroencephalography (EEG) studies. During all testing sessions, subjects will perform cognitive tasks that assess their ability to select, maintain, and inhibit sensory information and generate motor responses. Their eye movements may be passively recorded during testings. 3T MRI allows for fast and high-resolution imaging of brain structures, enabling us to identify lesion loci. Investigators will use EEG to measure the electrophysiology of brain activities. All behavioral, EEG, and MRI data collected will be sent to the National Institute of Mental Health Data Archive (NDA) at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Primary Outcome

Accuracy measure of the behavioral task will determine whether the hypothesized cognitive function of cognitive flexibility is impaired. Impairment will lead to below chance response.

Interventions

• BEHAVIORAL Working memory and set-switching tasks