Neural mechanisms for inhibitory control over attention and working memory

Our everyday view of the world is necessarily biased: we focus our attention on information that is most relevant to our current goals, and ignore behaviourally irrelevant information. Without such bias, we would be lost in a world of information-overload, unable to accomplish even the simplest tasks. This research explores how the brain controls bias to optimise goal-directed behaviour.
Over a series of experiments, activity in the human brain will be measured, and perturbed, to test whether a common brain mechanism is responsible for controlling the ability to focus on goal-relevant visual information as well as ignoring irrelevant, or distracting visual input. This research will also explore how these perceptual biases shape memory formation, and conversely, how our memories in turn create new bias patterns. Finally, this research will also explore how individuals differ in their ability to focus on behaviourally relevant information, and/or suppress distractions. Of particular interest, these abilities will be related to personality traits associated with depression and anxiety, providing a foundation for further research into how cognitive control could play a role in psychiatric mood disorders.

This research explores the brain mechanisms that bias perception and working memory according to behavioural relevance. Previous research has mainly focused on the mechanisms that facilitate processing of behaviourally relevant sensory input. However, inhibition is an important counterpoint to facilitation: very often it may be equally important to inhibit distracting input as it is to enhance processing of behaviourally relevant input.
This programme will explore the control mechanisms for selective inhibition, directly contrasting putative neural systems against the well-established architecture for selective facilitation. Core issues will be addressed using a range of complementary neuroscientific methods to measure and perturb brain function with high spatial and temporal precision. The results of these experiments will provide new insights into how the brain processes perceptual information to construct an internal world model that is optimised for guiding purposeful action.
A better understanding of the brain mechanism for high-level cognitive control will also provide a solid foundation for new research directions integrating cognitive neuroscientific and psychiatric research. As a first step toward future translational studies, this research will explore how individual differences in selective inhibition relate to mood disorders. The brain mechanisms for inhibitory control are especially likely to be important for understanding the brain bases for negative ruminations in depression, automatic orienting to aversive stimuli in mood disordered patients. The proposed exploratory study will lay the foundation for a more thorough investigation of the neuro-cognitive basis of depression/anxiety, and potential treatment strategies.

As an academic discipline, basic neuroscience has a relatively high profile in the public domain. For example, our research exploring the interaction between attention and memory was recently featured on the BBC's popular science programme: "Bang Goes the Theory" (Series 5, Episode 4). Because there is already substantial public interest in type of research described in this proposal, the results are likely to contribute to the public understanding of mind and brain. As outlined in Pathways to Impact, I will ensure that our research is disseminated to the wider public responsibly, and with integrity, ensuring that our research claims are not overstated. It is very important that the information scientists provide is accessible, but scientifically accurate. This commitment is essential for maintaining public trust, and is a central issue that I address through my contribution to the UK charity, Sense about Science.
This research is also likely to benefit applications, such as diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric conditions. Alongside my core research programme in fundamental cognitive neuroscience, I am also working closely with collaborators in Psychiatry to aid more directly the translation from basic to applied neuroscience. The project will directly intersect with these aims, and forge new directions for clinical psychiatric research.
I also anticipate this research will help develop improved methods that are likely to have a more direct impact on clinical practices. For example, we are currently developing machine-learning procedures that could benefit clinical diagnoses, as well as improved stimulator control for safer and more effective brain stimulation. These methodological developments could also generate commercial interest. The Brain Stimulation Lab maintains an ongoing relationship with the UK's leading manufacturer of nerve stimulators, The Magstim Company, Ltd. We recently discussed the possibility of developing a commercial application of our methodological research into improving the safety and efficiency of human brain stimulation. Similarly, Magstim has sought our opinion on the feasibility of using machine learning to classify EEG according to specific potential diagnoses.
Alongside my core research programme, I am also involved in a large-scale NHS-funded (£500,000 per year, over five years) project to develop cognitive training tools for elderly populations (principal investigators: Nobre; Johansen-Berg). The research programme outlined in this application could help inform the development of such training regimes, with a particular focus on enhancing cognitive control.