Guest Presenter: Colleen Hughes
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington

Talk Title: Using network neuroscience to understand age differences in social cognition

Abstract: The use of network science to characterize networks of the brain based on their functional connectivity (i.e., coordinated brain activity) has rapidly expanded in the past decade (Rubinov & Sporns, 2010). This field, network neuroscience, has generated novel hypotheses about cohort differences (e.g., aging, autism) and how the brain flexibly gives rise to a wide variety of behaviors (e.g., understanding others’ mental states). Our lab uses a network neuroscience approach to understand how healthy aging affects cognitive function, notably as it relates to social cognition. We have examined this question in two ways: 1) how does functional connectivity during resting-state (undirected thought) contribute to age-related performance deficits during task?; and 2) how does functional connectivity during resting-state differ from connectivity during tasks?. In this talk, I will provide an overview of network neuroscience, and discuss the tools our lab uses to conduct network analyses, how we test for cohort differences (e.g., older vs. younger adults), and other practical considerations for implementation.

The workshop is open to all. Research assistants, graduate students and postdocs are encouraged to attend. Workshops will involve a short presentation of work (15-25 minutes) with an extended discussion at the end. The presentations will be live-streamed and recorded in collaboration with the OnNeuro platform, check it out here!

Join us in PS217 for some snacks and science on October 18th, 1-2pm!