Modern methods and open issues in the analysis and interpretation of multi-variate time-series and imaging data in the neurosciences

18 August - 31 August 1997

Marine Biological Laboratories - Woods Hole, MA

A working group of scientists committed to quantitative approaches to problems in neuroscience will focus their efforts on experimental and theoretical issues related to the analysis of large, single- and multi-channel data sets.

Our motivation for the work group is based on issues that arise in two complimentary areas critical to an understanding of brain function. The first involves advanced signal processing methods that are relevant to neuroscience, particularly those appropriate for emerging multi-site recording techniques and noninvasive imaging techniques. The second involves the development of a calculus to study the dynamical behavior of nervous systems and the computations they perform.

A distinguishing feature of the work group will be the close collaboration between experimentalists and theorists, particularly with regard to the analysis of data and the planning of experiments. The work group will have a limited number of research lectures, supplemented by tutorials on relevant computational, experimental, and mathematical techniques.

This work group is a means to critically evaluate techniques for the processing of multi-channel data, of which imaging forms an important category. Such techniques are of fundamental importance for basic research and medical diagnostics. We will establish a repository of these techniques, along with benchmarks, to insure the rapidly dissemination of modern analytical techniques throughout the neuroscience community.

The work group will convene on a yearly basis. For 1997, we propose to focus on topics that fall under the rubric of multivariate time-series, including analysis of point processes, e.g., spike trains, measures of correlation and variability and their interpretation in terms of underlying process models; analysis of continuous processes, e.g., field potential, optical imaging fMRI, and MEG, and the recording of behavioral output, e.g., vocalizations; and problems that involve both point and continuous processes, e.g., spike sorting, and the relations between spike trains and sensory input and motor output.

Participants: We propose to have 25 participants, both experimentalists and theorists. Experimentalists are specifically encouraged to bring data records to the work group for analysis and discussion. Appropriate computational facilities will be provided. The work group will further take advantage of interested investigators and course faculty concurrently present at the MBL. We encourage graduate students and postdoctoral fellows as well as senior researchers to apply.

Participant Fee: $200.

Support: National Institutes of Health - NIMH, NIA, NIAAA, NICHD/NCRR, NIDCD, NIDA, and NINDS.

Organizers: David Kleinfeld (UCSD) and Partha P. Mitra (Caltech and Bell Laboratories).

Application: Potential participants should send a copy of their curriculum vita, together with a cover letter that contains a brief (ca. 200 word) paragraph on why they wish to attend the work group and a justified request for any financial aid, to

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are encouraged to include a brief letter of support from their research advisor.

Financial assistance: Assistance for travel, accommodations, and board is available based on need.

Applications must be received by 3 July 1997; participants will be notified by 11 July.

Additional information may be found at http://www-physics.ucsd.edu/research/neurodata (one level above this announcement).

The MBL is an EEO AAI.