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  Studiegidsen 2011-2012
Radboud UniversiteitStudiegidsenFaculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen > Research Master Cognitive Neuroscience

Cognitive control 

Cognitive Control
(Vakcode)
Course ID
SOW-DGCN25
(Studiepunten)
Credits
6
(Periode)
Scheduled
Objectives (Doelstelling)

This course will provide students with a thorough background in the neurobiological and functional properties of human cognitive control and flexible decision making. This will be achieved by providing a multi-disciplinary and convergent-methods approach, integrating essential theoretical and experimental frameworks from animal research, experimental psychology, neuroimaging and electrophysiology in humans, pharmacology and computational modeling. The role of cognitive control in self-guided goal-directed action will be discussed.

Contents (Inhoud / Omschrijving)

Neurobiological aspects. The course will give a detailed and comprehensive overview of the neurobiological basis of human cognitive control, flexible goal-directed behavior, and decision making, while taking into account research in humans and animal models. Fields ranging from functional neuroanatomy via neurophysiology, psychopharmacology, genetics, computational modeling to cognitive and experimental psychology will be covered.

 

Functional aspects. We will focus on basic constituents of cognitive control, such as value-based and perceptual decision making, action preparation and flexible switching, performance monitoring and resulting adaptations, top-down control of perception and attention, and learning. Furthermore, we will discuss failures of control in neurological and psychiatric disorders and the relationship of action control, consciousness, and value-based decision making.

Theoretical aspects. Current theories and mathematically formalized computational models applied at various levels of abstraction will be presented and discussed in the light of experimental data.

Additional aspects. Where relevant, implications of theories, models and empirical findings for applied and clinical purposes will be discussed. Where necessary, experimental methods and analysis tools for studying cognitive control will be presented.


Literature (Literatuur)
  • lecture notes
  • relevant chapters from handbooks of neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and neurophysiology
  • recent papers in top-quality journals like Journal of Neuroscience, Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Science, Nature, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, Annual Reviews in Neuroscience, Neuropsychopharmacology, Neuroimage, Psychological Review etc.

Representative readings

  • Miller EK, Cohen JD (2001) An integrative theory of prefrontal cortex function. Annu Rev Neurosci 24:167-202.
  • Rushworth MF (2008) Intention, choice, and the medial frontal cortex. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1124:181-207.
  • Brass M, Derrfuss J, Forstmann B, Cramon DY (2005) The role of the inferior frontal junction area in cognitive control. Trends Cogn Sci 9:314-316.
  • Ridderinkhof KR, Ullsperger M, Crone EA, Nieuwenhuis S (2004) The role of the medial frontal cortex in cognitive control. Science 306:443-447.
  • Cools R (2008) Role of dopamine in the motivational and cognitive control of behavior. Neuroscientist 14:381-395.
  • Braver TS, Gray JR, Burgess GC (2007) Explaining many varieties in working memory variation: dual mechanisms of cognitive control. In: Variation in Working Memory (Conway A, Jarrold C, Kane M, Miyake A, eds), pp 76-106. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Teaching methods (Werkvormen)

Lectures, student assignments. Student assignments will be made available on a special course site online, via Blackboard, the digital learning environment of Radboud University Nijmegen.

Coördinerend docent
Coordinator: M. Ullsperger, lecturers: M. Ullsperger, R. Cools + guest lecturers
Examination (Toetsingsvorm)
Writing assignments
Enrollment ( Inschrijving college )

via STUDENT PORTAL untill 5 working days before the start of the course
Note this course is for CNS students only. Non-CNS students can contact Yvonne Schouten () or Arno Koning ().