# Neocortical microarchitecture of executive function using large-scale intracranial electrophysiology

> **NIH NIH R61** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2024 · $1,018,155

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Advancing our understanding of the neural basis of human cognition is limited due to the rarity of intracranial
recordings in humans, and the inherent inadequacy of animal models. Additionally, studying something as
complex and flexible as executive function will likely require recording from hundreds of neurons
simultaneously, a scenario not currently possible in humans with the existing recording technology. Here we
propose to use a new probe, the Neuropixels probe, with 960 possible recording electrodes on a single shank,
to study human executive function. Placing these Neuropixels probes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
during awake deep brain stimulation recordings, we will assess the neural population activity during an
executive function task that employs feature selection, conflict processing, and decisions (Aims 1 and 2).
Making use of the unique recording structure of the probe, with electrodes placed regularly along the shank,
we will evaluate the local topography, expecting cortical layers to stratify neural responses to task-conditions
(Aim 1). We will also evaluate the neural population response to task conditions, hypothesizing that the neural
dimensions and geometry exhibit features that explain the flexibility so crucial to executive function (Aim 2).
This study will establish the neural underpinnings of human executive function.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10933716
- **Project number:** 1R61DC021924-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel James Denman
- **Activity code:** R61 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,018,155
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-19 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10933716

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10933716, Neocortical microarchitecture of executive function using large-scale intracranial electrophysiology (1R61DC021924-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10933716. Licensed CC0.

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