Speaker: Dr. Camilo Libedinsky

Title: Neural networks involved in the maintenance of working memory in the face of Distractors

Date: 27 January, 12-1 pm 

Venue: AS4/02-08 (Psychology Department Meeting Room) 

Abstract:

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) maintains working memory information in the presence of distracting stimuli. I will show that upon the presentation of a distractor, information in the dlPFC is reorganised into a different pattern of activity to create a morphed stable code without losing information. Further, I will show that a subpopulation of neurons, those with non-linear mixed selectivity, are necessary and sufficient to morph the code. I will discuss how this code-morphing capability may underlie cognitive flexibility. 

Bio:

Camilo is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology, NUS, a PI at the Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology, and a co-PI at Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR. His research interest relates to understanding the neural network mechanisms that underlie basic cognitive functions, including perception, working memory and attention.