2017
Pre-Spring School Workshops
fMRI Analysis Methods
20 June 2017 (full day)
Instructors
Holger Moor & Hannes Ruge (Faculty of Psychology)
Outline
Over the last 25 years, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has evolved into one of the main modalities for invivo imaging of the human brain. Reflecting the complexity of brain, fMRI datasets come with a complex and highdimensional spatio-temporal structure. A large set of methods is available to explore and model these data. This workshop will give an introduction to the most frequently used approaches for activation and connectivity analysis of fMRI data. In the first part, the general linear model (GLM) will be introduced, which is the most important approach to model task-evoked brain activity. The GLM can be flexibly used for different experimental design types and may also serve as a basis for subsequent extended analyses. Due to the great flexibility of the GLM, many options are available in terms of how the actual experimental design is transformed into the design matrix of the GLM. These choices may have a large impact on the results. In the second part, various forms of multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) and connectivity analysis will be introduced, covering both basic principles and possible pitfalls and drawbacks of the methods. Specifically, feature construction along the spatial and temporal domains and technical topics such as cross-validation and parameter selection for MVPA will be discussed. Connectivity analysis will cover both functional connectivity (PPI, beta series) and effective connectivity (DCM). In the third part, practical questions of the participants will be discussed.
Scientific Writing and Publishing
20 June 2017 (afternoon)
Instructors
Michael Smolka, Christian Beste (Faculty of Medicine) & Ralph Müller-Pfefferkorn (ZIH)
Outline
The workshop will focus on useful strategies for writing and preparing a manuscript for submission. A second aim will be the discussion and practice of policies on how to handle revisions. Furthermore, participants will discuss individual questions regarding the subjects of publication, submission, revision as well as formalities and regulations of the publication process.
Neuroanatomy Lab Course
21 June 2017 (full day)
Instructor
József Jászai (Faculty of Medicine)
Outline
Understanding macroscopic structure of the central nervous system (CNS) is the basis for learning pathways, functional circuits subserving higher cognitive function. Therefore, the study of external and internal morphology of the CNS in a wet lab (i.e. dissection-room) significantly facilitates learning of functional systems (in lecture courses or in computer labs) that makes up the most significant portion of many neuroanatomical courses. Without previous visual experience, it is an extremely difficult task to overcome. The neuroanatomy course provides a broad overview of the structure of the CNS dealing with representative levels of the neuraxis, with a principal focus on issues relevant to further understanding of functional aspects the nervous system. The main objectives of the course are to (1) provide the students with a basic working knowledge and nomenclature of the central nervous system and (2) to present the basic functional neuroanatomy required to understand the functional systems. These objectives are achieved by use of fixed specimens of whole brains in a step-by-step dissection procedure and brain sections to provide a general overview of the 3-D structure of the brain.
PhD Day of the Faculty of Psychology
How to survive: Dissertation
29 June 2017
Organizers
PsyDok PhD Student Initiative of the Faculty of Psychology
Outline
Panel Discussion with
Sandra Wolf (Dresden, D)
Matthias Rudlof (Berlin, D)
Claudia Harzer (Darmstadt, D)
Alexander Strobel (Dresden, D)
Information booths