Understand neural basis of resting-state network
Field:
- Biomedical engineering
- Neuroscience
- Radiology and imaging
Location: Queensland Brain Institute
Type of student: Both PhD/MPhil and Volunteer
Type of work:
- Literature review
- Secondary data analysis
- Statistical analysis
Prerequisite skills: Comouter programming
An interesting phenomenon of the brain is that certain brain areas form synchronous low frequency oscillation during the resting state. These resting-state networks can be detected by functional MRI (fMRI) noninvasively and their changes have been associated with attention, learning, memory and disorders. While widely applied, the neural basis of resting-state fMRI is largely unknown. We aim to understand the neural basis underlies the resting-state networks, the axonal connectivity that supports the network topology and their relevance to behaviour, such as learning and memory. We will apply fMRI in rodent under pharmacological and behaviour manipulations and validated by electrophysiology, neuronal tract tracing, lesion and optogenetics to determine the neural underpinning of the fMRI signal oscillation and its relationship with particular neural pathway and transmission system.
