Noise Correlations Study for Dyslexia
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
A fundamental problem in neuroscience is how the brain computes with noisy neurons. An advantage of population codes is that downstream neurons can pool across multiple neurons to reduce the impact of noise. However, this benefit depends on the noise associated with each neuron being independent. Noise correlations refer to the covariance of noise between pairs of neurons, and such correlations can limit the advantages gained from pooling across large neural populations. Indeed, a large body of theoretical work argues that positive noise correlations between similarly tuned neurons reduce the representational capacity of neural populations and are thus detrimental to neural computation. Despite this apparent disadvantage, such noise correlations are observed across many different brain regions, persist even in well-trained subjects, and are dynamically altered in complex tasks. The investigators have advanced the hypothesis that noise correlations may be a neural mechanism for reducing the dimensionality of learning problems. The viability of this hypothesis has been demonstrated in neural network simulations where noise correlations, when embedded in populations with fixed signal-to-noise ratio, enhance the speed and robustness of learning. Here the investigators aim to empirically test this hypothesis, using a combination of computational modeling, fMRI and pupillometry. Establishing a link between noise correlations and learning would open the door to an investigation into how brains navigate a tradeoff between representational capacity and the speed of learning.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial excludes participants taking neuroleptic medications, so if you are on these, you would need to stop. For other medications, the protocol does not specify any requirements.
How does the Dynamic perceptual discrimination task treatment differ from other treatments for dyslexia?
The Dynamic perceptual discrimination task is unique because it focuses on improving the ability to filter out irrelevant noise, which is a specific challenge for individuals with dyslexia. This approach targets the underlying sensory processing deficits, particularly in noise exclusion, rather than just addressing reading skills directly.12345
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Dynamic perceptual discrimination task for dyslexia?
Who Is on the Research Team?
Matthew Nassar, PhD
Principal Investigator
Brown University
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals with dyslexia or tinnitus. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, but typically participants would need to be in good health and able to perform the tasks required by the study.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Experimental Task
Participants engage in a dynamic perceptual discrimination task involving motion and color information, requiring adaptation to intra-dimensional shifts.
Scanning and Analysis
Participants undergo fMRI scanning to measure noise correlations and pupillometry as a proxy for neuromodulatory signaling.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the experimental tasks and scanning sessions.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Dynamic perceptual discrimination task
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Brown University
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Collaborator