Neural Basis of Perceptual Decision-Making. My current research is focused on understanding how sensory information is transformed into a motor response in the presence of distractors. To minimize the interference caused by distractors the brain must engage attentional resources to enhance the target and/or suppress the distractor. We are using fMRI to tested how the brain resolves different types of interference and measuring the degree of cognitive control necessary for shifting attention.
Neurovascular coupling. Neurovascular coupling has been shown to change with age. We have developed methods to assess which aspects of the hemodynamic response are sensitive to normal aging. We are currently using BOLD and CBF measures to quantify these changes and determine their role in age-related cognitive decline.