This lesson breaks down the principles of Bayesian inference and how it relates to cognitive processes and functions like learning and perception. It is then explained how cognitive models can be built using Bayesian statistics in order to investigate how our brains interface with their environment. 

This lesson corresponds to slides 1-64 in the PDF below. 

This is a tutorial on designing a Bayesian inference model to map belief trajectories, with emphasis on gaining familiarity with Hierarchical Gaussian Filters (HGFs).

This lesson corresponds to slides 65-90 of the PDF below. 

This tutorial walks participants through the application of dynamic causal modelling (DCM) to fMRI data using MATLAB. Participants are also shown various forms of DCM, how to generate and specify different models, and how to fit them to simulated neural and BOLD data.

This lesson corresponds to slides 158-187 of the PDF below. 

This talks discusses data sharing in the context of dementia. It explains why data sharing in dementia is important, how data is usually shared in the field and illustrates two examples: the Netherlands Consortium Dementia cohorts and the European Platform for Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The Medical Informatics Platform (MIP) Dementia had been installed in several memory clinics across Europe allowing them to federate their real-world databases. Research open access databases had also been integrated such as ADNI (Alzheimer’s Dementia Neuroimaging Initiative), reaching a cumulative case load of more than 5,000 patients (major cognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease, other major cognitive disorder, minor cognitive disorder, controls). The statistic and machine learning tools implemented in the MIP allowed researchers to conduct easily federated analyses among Italian memory clinics (Redolfi et al. 2020) and also across borders between the French (Lille), the Swiss (Lausanne) and the Italian (Brescia) datasets.

The number of patients with dementia is estimated to increase given the aging population. This will lead to a number of challenges in the future in terms of diagnosis and care for patients with dementia. To meet these needs such as early diagnsosis and development of prognostic biomarkers, large datasets, such as the federated datasets on dementia. The EAN Dementia and cognitive disorders scientific panel can play an important role as coordinator and connecting panel members who wish to participate in e.g. consortia.

This lecture provides an overview of some of the essential concepts in neuropharmacology (e.g. receptor binding, agonism, antagonism), an introduction to pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, and an overview of the drug discovery process relative to diseases of the central nervous system. 

This lecture covers the ethical implications of the use of pharmaceuticals to enhance brain functions and was part of the Neuro Day Workshop held by the NeuroSchool of Aix Marseille University.