Cognitive and neural processes across the lifespan

The cluster focuses on understanding the mechanisms via which the brain guides behaviour.

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The cluster focuses on understanding the mechanisms via which the brain guides behaviour. This includes perception, decision making, skill learning and action control. Through computational modelling, preclinical imaging, and human studies, we aim to understand the physiological consequences of neural activity associated with both typical development and with neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, including epilepsy, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Autism and ADHD. We also investigate the neural basis of certain clinical conditions such as Alcohol Use Disorder.

We seek to understand individual differences in cognitive ability and plasticity, including how cognition is influenced by experiences such as stress, culture, neurodiversity and rare genetic conditions; and developing mathematical and computational models of adaptive self-organising networks to better understand the impact of natural selection on brain development.

We seek to build mechanistic models of developmental change in cognition and have particular expertise in the development of language, executive functioning, attention and memory.

We are passionate about Open Science practices and value robust, transparent, reproducible research.

Research Cluster Lead: Professor Danielle Matthews

Deputy Research Cluster Leads: Dr Claudia von Bastian; Dr Clare Howarth