题    目：What constitutes an optimal brain architecture? The role

   of sensory processing versus sleep

主讲人：宋 晨 博士（卡迪夫大学）

时    间：2018年11月1日（星期四）下午3：00-4：00

地    点：心理学院714室

主讲人简介：

宋晨，2009年上海交通大学生物医学工程学院获学士学位，2013年伦敦大学学院 (University College London）惠康基金会影像研究中心（Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging）获博士学位，现为卡迪夫大学（Cardiff University）脑成像研究中心助理教授；以第一或通讯作者身份在Nature Neuroscience, Neuron, Nature Communications, Cerebral Cortex 和 Journal of Neuroscience等杂志发表论文11篇，其研究深入揭示了大脑结构和功能的个体差异与认知、行为间的紧密联系及睡眠对其联系的影响。

Abstract

Structure shapes function. Understanding what kinds of brain structure are optimal for cognitive function is fundamental to neuroscience research as well as to the design of artificial intelligence. Traditionally, large brain volumes, large number of neurons and strong neural connections are considered beneficial. In this talk, I will present our experimental and theoretical work that challenges the conventional wisdom. We show that a functionally optimal visual cortex is constituted of a large cortical surface area, but a small cortical thickness and weak lateral connections. This architecture enables neurons in visual cortex to have high selectivity, short latency, and human participants to excel in visual tasks. To achieve the optimal brain structure, we show that sleep plays an essential role. Sleep facilitates the overnight improvement in cognitive function through homeostatic weakening of neural connections and thinning of cortex, at both a cellular and a system level. The overnight brain structural changes in turn enhance the cost-efficacy of brain activity. I will conclude by discussing how a balanced view of brain structure and function requires the consideration of sleep-wake cycle, and how the contrast between awake and sleeping brain activity may be key to our intelligence.