Neurobehavioral mechanisms of shielding and shifting of intentions (A01)

• Subject Area: Biological Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience ; Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
• Term: from 2012 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 178833530

Project A01 investigates two key features of volitional action: the ability to shield intentions from distracting stimuli and to shift flexibly between intentions, when behavior must be adapted to changing contexts. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and multivariate pattern analyses, we identified regions in prefrontal cortex, which are involved in the representation, shielding, and shifting of intentions. Building on these findings, in the third funding period we will investigate how the balance between stability and flexibility of intentions is dynamically regulated and how stable and flexible control modes are reflected in the dynamics of neural intention representations and functional connectivity patterns.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 940: Volition and Cognitive Control: Mechanisms, Modulators and Dysfunctions
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Dresden
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Thomas Goschke, since 7/2016; Professor Dr. John-Dylan Haynes; Dr. Marcus Möschl, since 7/2020; Dr. Moritz Walser, from 7/2016 until 6/2020