Exploring cerebro-cerebellar network for cognitive control

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K16080
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Cognitive science
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Hasegawa Kunihiro 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 情報・人間工学領域, 研究員 (10741837)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 認知制御 / 小脳 / 脳機能イメージング / 実験系心理学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In recent, the cerebellar cortex is no longer considered just a motor structure. Some recent studies revealed the connectivity between the cerebral cortex and the cerebellar cortex. The present project aimed to investigate the cerebellar contributions in cognitive control. A meta-analysis of the previous fMRI studies on some higher cognitive functions was conducted. Then, an fMRI experiment on cue-based conflict adaptation was conducted. Both suggested the role of the cerebellum in the preparation for cognitive conflict resolution. In addition, the phenomena on visual perception and cognition were found by the psychological experiment.

Free Research Field

認知科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

高次認知機能を大脳皮質の働きだけでなく、小脳を含めたネットワークで捉える足がかりを得られたことで、そのメカニズムの解明に向けた新しいアプローチの可能性を示すことができた。また、副次的に発見された知覚・認知現象は更なる人の心的機能の解明に寄与するものと期待される。