New method developed for analysing brain processes

An international research team led by Adam Gosztolai from MedUni Vienna has developed a new computer-aided method that makes it possible to precisely analyse and compare neuronal activity patterns in the brains of different living beings. The method, called MARBLE (MAnifold Representation Basis LEarning), uses modern machine learning algorithms to decode complex, dynamic processes in the brain, but can also advance research in other areas. The study results were published in the scientific journal "Nature Methods". "Suppose two individuals have to solve the same mental task, for example finding their way to work. How can we know that they are thinking the same way? In other words, can the signals from a small number of neurons in the brain alone tell us whether we are using the same or different thinking strategies to solve the task?" says study author Adam Gosztolai from the Institute of Artificial Intelligence at MedUni Vienna's Center for Medical Data Science, explaining the initial research question. The answer to this question is of fundamental importance for neuroscience in order to be able to validate results from research experiments with various animals. So far, there is little evidence as to whether different creatures actually perform a particular experimental task with the same dynamic patterns in their brains.