Understanding the effective dynamics of the human brain.

• Main Author: Teo, Wei Ren.
• Other Authors: Cheong Siew Ann
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/48843
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

While the cellular structure and behaviour of single neurons is well understood, how groups of neurons work together to perform a certain brain function is not. With its sensitivity to external stimuli and dense interconnectedness, the mapping of these functional groups of neurons within the human brain represents a signi cant research challenge. Thet invasive nature of direct neuronal observation presents an ethical barrier to research. Even with technological advancements in brain imaging, data is inherently noisy and subject to numerous statistical procedures before meaningful inferences can be made. In this study, we utilise the complete-link algorithm of hierarchical clustering which is a mathematical method designed to nd similar groups of data. The algorithm will be used to nd clusters of neurons which may be seen as the functional areas of the brain. Following clustering, the dynamics of these functional areas will be studied by adopting a cluster synchronisation based approach to provide insight into the workings of the brain. Two sets of data will be analysed. The rst will be the simulated neuronal activity of a semantic dyslexic to test the feasibility of the approach. The second will be a time series of fMRI scans of a single subject performing a visual task under conditions of attention or no attention.