Imaging Human Cognition

The Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (DCCN) conducts basic and applied
research in cognitive neuroscience. Much of the recent rapid progress in this
field is driven by the development of complex neuro-imaging techniques for the
in-vivo scanning of activity in the human brain, an area in which the DCCN
plays a leading role.

Research at the DCCN focuses on central cognitive functions. The aim is to
unravel these complex functions and understand how they are represented in the
brain. This is done by identifying the networks of brain areas that are vital
to each of these functions and determining the role of - and interactions
between - regions. In order to achieve this, it is also necessary to understand
how neurons make networks and how networks carry out cognitive functions, in
other words, how to get from neurons to cognition. Research at the centre is
also designed to establish how the different brain areas coordinate their
activity with very high temporal accuracy in order to enable human cognition.

At the brain system level, we seek to investigate whether neural response
patterns obtained by fMRI, MEG EEG, t(A/D)CS and fNIRS can reveal the neural
and physiological mechanism behind cognitive processes in general, more
specifically per study addressing the study-specific rationale and questions.
Most of the scan techniques are combined with social/psychological behavioural
questionnaires or tests with additional neuro-psycho-physiological measures in
order to answer secondary questions.

On annual basis roughly 40 new studies are conducted with different research
questions, rationale and design which use the available neuroimaging methods at
the DCCN: (f)MRI, MEG, EEG, fNIRS and t(A/D)CS. All studies go through a strict
approval process and checks before researchers can book the labs and recruit
and test participants. These procedures are monitored by the relevant support
staff, e.g., a research coordinator, data steward, privacy officer, and lab
managers. Studies are also randomly monitored throughout the year to check
protocol compliancy, participant safety and rights, and data management and
quality. Participant recruitment happens mostly through SONA: a safe and
commonly used system on campus. The informed consent procedure is documented in
a standard operating procedure (SOP) and the use of Castor and following the
DCCN's data management plans is mandatory for all studies conducted under this
blanket protocol.

The risk and burden associated with participation can be considered as
neglible. No pharmacological or (otherwise) invasive interventions are applied.