Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor: Alexander Herman, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Project: Modulating working memory through the frontal pole in humans
Emerging technologies such as machine-brain interfaces and localized brain stimulation offer an unprecedented ability to target, measure, and manipulate neural tissue to treat debilitating symptoms associated with mental illness. A major goal in neuropsychiatric research is to use these technologies to treat cognitive processes in addition to the motor symptoms they are currently used for. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to have a thorough characterization of the neurocomputational processes targeted for treatment at a spatiotemporal resolution commensurate with what these technologies offer. To this end, Paul’s research explores how the prefrontal cortex supports working memory and executive control in humans by measuring and manipulating neural activity in real time using invasive recording and stimulation techniques. Paul hopes that insights gained from his research will guide future therapeutic innovations that improve treatment outcomes for mental illnesses characterized by deficits in working memory and executive control.
