Classical and instrumental conditioning of brain-communication and neuronal connectivity

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Niels Birbaumer
• Subject Area: General, Cognitive and Mathematical Psychology
• Term: from 2011 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 194168023

Here, the unresolved problem of semantic and emotional brain communication with the completely paralyzed, very small children and patients with advanced dementia will be investigated by using twoprocess (classical – operant) learning of evoked and oscillatory brain activity and real-time pattern classification of emotional brain responses with recording of metabolic (BOLD) and neuroelectric (EEG) signals. Second, since goal directed sensorimotor behavior results from dynamic connectivity patterns in large neuronal assemblies instrumental (reward) learning of such brain connectivity patterns with real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI), near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and magnetoencephalography (MEG)/EEG-cross-coherence is performed using psychopathic behavior and pedophilic behavior disorder, and eating in lean and obese persons as model systems of particularly high change-resistant brain-behavior patterns. To improve learning and neural plasticity non-invasive transcranial DC-stimulation (tDCS) will be used in some of the experimental conditions. While braincomputer- interface (BCI) research has a short tradition in the cognitive neurosciences the proposed project and methodology cannot rely on previous scientific tradition: only the Koselleck grant application scheme is appropriate for this situation. In addition to the clinical purpose in providing new and probably more efficient non-invasive behavioral therapeutic solutions for these treatment-resistant disorders the proposed experiments provide insight into some fundamental theoretical problems: a) The “restoration” of volition (instrumental behaviour) after prolonged paralysis and extinction of goal directed behavior and thought b) The development of volition at the beginning of life and during the terminal phases of cognitive human life. c) The optimal learning schemas for encoding and modification of repetitive destructive and autodestructive behaviors and their brain activation patterns such as instrumental aggression in psychopathy and overeating. d) Which patterns of interconnected brain activity are indispensable for the reconstruction of these change-resistant behaviors?

• DFG Programme: Reinhart Koselleck Projects