COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AT THE BRAIN IMAGING CENTER FRANKFURT

Brainclocks

Our group (led by Christian Kell) is interested in the mechanisms that drive human behavior. We focus on the question how complex brain networks are set up and try to understand how temporal properties of brain function orchestrate neural computation in these networks.

Our approach

Our research focuses on action control networks and involves basic research but also studies of clinical conditions. One of the most impressive human actions is vocal communication. Speech constitutes a highly social behavior that allows studying functional loops which integrate feedforward and feedback information. We identified temporal properties of sensorimotor processes that contribute to the lateralization of speech production. We investigated pathological speech production in people who stutter and patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Our basic research questions contribute to the understanding of pathophysiology and recovery mechanisms in the studied pathological conditions and may translate into better therapeutic approaches.
In collaboration with the LOEWE funded CEPTER consortium, we recently started investigating information theoretical measures and describing the neural dynamics in focal epilepsy patients. This project allows testing interactions between focal dysfunction and lateralized neural networks further.

The methods

Besides functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging, we use magneto­encenphalo­graphy, stereo electroencephalography, electrocorticography, and direct cortical stimulation during awake surgery of brain tumor and epilepsy patients.

The open positions

We currently have no open positions.