# CRCNS: Macaque Cortex Neuronal Network Dynamics related Cognition and Behavior

> **NIH NIH R01** · TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $112,934

## Abstract

Complex cognition and behavior is generated by network interactions of neurons in the brain. Network
 structure shapes and constrains information encoding, and networks must be dynamically coordinated in
 order to allow for flexible information processing. Understanding the neuronal information encoding, the
 neuronal network structure, the dynamic coordination mechanisms for flexible information processing, and
 especially their interplay, is a key challenge for computational neuroscience. Importantly, thls challenge
 must be addressed at the level of single neuron actlvity, since coarser brain signals and recording
 techniques lose important detail due to averaging over highly-structured, fast and heterogeneous neuronal
 responses. The proposed project aims to a) characterize the interplay of behaviorally relevant intra- and
 inter-area neuronal information encoding, network communication structure, and oscillatory
 communication during a cognitively simple visuomotor decision task utilizing existing simultaneous
 macaque monkey recordings of many neurons from two cortical areas; b) extend and generalize the
 identified encoding, communication and oscillatory synchronization structure to larger neuronal networks
 spanning four cortical areas during a cognitively more complex visuomotor decision task including
 systematic variation of the essential higher cognitive factors of reward and effort. To this end two monkeys
will be trained on a corresponding decision-making task and implanted with state-of-the art electrode
 arrays for large-scale simultaneous recordings; c) analyze the cause and effect of the dynamic interaction
 of information encoding, communication and oscillatory communication during cognitively simple and
 complex visuomotor decisions uslng all available datasets. Identifying the dynamic interaction of network
 properties at the neuronal level will offer significant insight into the neuronal mechanisms underlying
cognition and behavlor.
RELEVANCE (See instructions):
 Network interactions of dlstributed sets of neurons in the cerebral cortex are important for adaptlve
 cognition and behavior. Using a combination of empirical and computational approaches the project will
 determine how neuronal information is encoded and dynamically coordinated in neuronal networks
 spanning multiple brain areas. The resulting knowledge will provide new insights into the neuronal basis
 of brain function, including disturbances of brain networks in a range of clinical disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10198722
- **Project number:** 5R01MH121978-03
- **Recipient organization:** TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** OLAF SPORNS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $112,934
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-10 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10198722

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10198722, CRCNS: Macaque Cortex Neuronal Network Dynamics related Cognition and Behavior (5R01MH121978-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10198722. Licensed CC0.

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