New project:New asset for neuroscience research group

Grant approved for additional project in Collaborative Research Centre 874

DFG funds work of Prof. Dr. Nikolai Axmacher

In Collaborative Research Centre 874 “Integration and Representation of Sensory Processes” at the Ruhr-University Bochum, an interdisciplinary team of scientists is investigating how sensory input is perceived and processed in our brain, and which factors influence this process. Since 2010 their work is being funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG). The DFG has now approved a grant for a further sub-project, which will be led by Prof. Dr. Nikolai Axmacher. With his team he will research the influence of spacial learning and stress on neural representations, and introduce new research methods to the Collaborative Research Centre 874.

New project introduces innovative methods

Nikolai Axmacher has been working at the Ruhr-University Bochum since October 2014 and is head of the department of neuropsychology at the Faculty of Psychology. Within the new sub-project of Collaborative Research Centre 874, he will examine the effects of cognitive and emotional factors on neural representations. To facilitate this research, he has established an innovative new methodical approach, which combines electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Scientific collaboration planned

The DFG funds Collaborative Research Centers with the goal of establishing interdisciplinary collaborations that elicit outstanding research results. In keeping with this goal, collaborations have already been planned between the new and the already existing projects. The work of Professor Axmacher on the neural activity of learning processes will connect research using animal models with human trials. Furthermore, the sub-projects focusing on imaging techniques will benefit from the new method of combined EEG/fMRT analysis.