Learning in the Human Brain: Anatomy, Physiology and Computation

The project will focus on structure and information flow in two well-defined systems.
First, we consider a hierarchically organised system in the human brain that extends
from prefrontal areas that represent action goals, to the cortical motor areas that
organise the details of movement execution. Second, we consider how cerebellar
circuitry learns from this system, storing representations that enable this information
processing to become skilled, unconscious and automatic (c.f., amortization in
machine learning). These two systems form the cortico-cerebellar system - one of the
largest and most prominent networks in the human brain. There will be three closely
integrated approaches. First, the detailed structure of these systems will be
investigated through the analysis of large, pre-existing resting-state functional MRI
datasets. Second, experimental work using functional MRI will test hypotheses relating
to the hierarchical nature of frontal lobe action networks, and test for cerebellar
signatures of learning-related plasticity. These approaches will be primarily supervised
by Ramnani. Third, theoretical neurobiological approaches to understanding
information flow in hierarchical networks and learning-related plasticity will be
developed using computational modelling, informed by the active inference framework
developed by Friston, who will supervise this aspect. We will tailor the PhD to the
interests and skills of the student. The flexible balance of experimental work, data
analysis, and computational modelling will ensure that the PhD will remain feasible
during possible future periods of lockdown when data acquisition may not be possible.
The student will be based at Royal Holloway, where they will interact with members of
Ramnani's research group. There will be periodic visits to Friston and his research
group at Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, UCL. Research facilities (Royal
Holloway) will include an on-site, research-dedicated Siemens Trio MRI scanner, a fullysupported,
high-performance computing cluster, and Ramnani's lab facilities for
behavioural research.