The main goal of the research programme is to understand the neural basis of predictive processing in the human brain, with a particular focus on "when" something will happen.
Photo: Colourbox
How we predict the future
The human brain actively predicts what will happen next. This ability to predict the “what”, “where”, and “when” of the future enables efficient and dynamic interaction with our surroundings. Prediction of the future optimises information processing and goal-directed behaviour.
A topic of particular interest is to understand how temporal rhythms in our sensory environment guide our attention and predictions.
We use new approaches to study how the brain makes sense of predictive cues and how it reacts and adapts when expectations are not met.
Methodology and programme goals
Using methods ranging from behavioural to scalp- and intracranial EEG, and fMRI in the healthy and the disordered brain, we aim to decipher the neural mechanisms involved.
The neurobiological processes underlying the brain’s predictive powers are largely unknown. Thus, the overarching goal is to enhance our understanding of the neural basis of human prediction. Particularly, how the brain makes use of rhythmic information to build expectations of future events and outcomes. For instance, how the degree of unpredictability might be a factor in the perception of groove in music.
To this end, the programme aims to:
Understand how regular temporal events support attention and prediction.
Identify electrophysiological signatures of regularity processing.
Understand how the brain responds to breaches of expectations.
Describe how rhythm enhances cognitive performance.
Research assistants preparing EEG recording.
Selected publications
Foldal, Maja Dyhre; Leske, Sabine Liliana; Blenkmann, Alejandro Omar; Endestad, Tor & Solbakk, Anne-Kristin (2022). Attentional modulation of beta-power aligns with the timing of behaviorally relevant rhythmic sounds. Cerebral Cortex. ISSN 1047-3211. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhac179.
Johnson, Elizabeth L.; Chang, William K.; Dewar, Callum D.; Sorensen, Donna; Lin, Jack J. & Solbakk, Anne-Kristin [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2022). Orbitofrontal cortex governs working memory for temporal order. Current Biology. ISSN 0960-9822. 32(9), p. R410–R411. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.03.074.
Foldal, Maja Dyhre; Blenkmann, Alejandro Omar; Llorens, Ana?s; Knight, Robert T.; Solbakk, Anne-Kristin & Endestad, Tor (2020). The brain tracks auditory rhythm predictability independent of selective attention. Scientific Reports. ISSN 2045-2322. 10, p. 1–13. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-64758-y. Full text in Research Archive
Foldal, Maja Dyhre; Blenkmann, Alejandro Omar; Llorens, Ana?s; Knight, Robert Thomas; Solbakk, Anne-Kristin; Endestad, Tor.
The brain tracks global temporal regularity in auditory patterns. Neuroscience 2019; 2019-10-19 - 2019-10-23
Johnson, Elizabeth L.; Chang, William K.; Dewar, Callum D.; Sorensen, Donna; Lin, Jack J.; Solbakk, Anne-Kristin; Endestad, Tor; Larsson, P?l Gunnar; Ivanovic, Jugoslav; Meling, Torstein Ragnar; Scabini, Donatella; Knight, Robert T.
Orbitofrontal cortex governs working memory for temporal order. Current Biology 2022 ;Volum 32.(9) s. R410-R411
PublishedMar. 9, 2020 12:58 PM
- Last modifiedFeb. 14, 2023 11:29 AM
