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Rodrigo Salazar |
Contact Information
Assistant Research Professor
Lewis Hall 1
(406) 994-7190
Fax: (406) 994-7438
rsalazar@cns.montana.edu
Working memory and the fronto-parietal network
Understanding the neuronal dynamics underlying cognition has been my focus in neuroscience. Cognition relies on neuronal processes distributed throughout the brain. However, little is known about how these processes are interacting and integrated in a coherent manner to be functional. We use electrophysiological and computational techniques to characterize these dynamics and mathematical simulations to test their theoretical implications. We are currently investigating visual working memory processes in the fronto-parietal network by characterizing the properties of coherent oscillations of the network and of the participating neurons. The goal of this research is to uncover large-scale spatio-temporal patterns of neuronal activity underlying short-term memory representations, a fundamental cognitive ability necessary to many executive functions.
Recent Publications
Salazar RF, Dotson NM, Bressler SL & Gray CM. (available online in ‘Science Express’). Content Specific Fronto-Parietal Synchronization during Visual Working Memory.
Heinzle, J, König, P & Salazar RF. (2007). Modulation of synchrony without changes in firing rate. Cogn Neurodyn. 1(3):225-235
Salazar RF, König P & Kayser C. (2004). Directed interactions between visual areas and their role in processing image structure and expectancy. European Journal of Neuroscience. 20(5):1391-401.
Salazar RF, White W, Lacroix L, Feldon J & White IM. (2004). NMDA lesions in the rat medial prefrontal cortex impairs the ability to inhibit responses during reversal of a simple spatial discrimination. Behavioural Brain Research. 152(2): 413-424
Salazar RF, Kayser C & König P. (2004). Effects of training on neuronal activity and interactions in primary and higher visual cortices in the alert cat. Journal of Neuroscience. 24(7): 1627-1636
Kayser C, Salazar RF & König P. (2003). Responses to natural scenes in cat V1. Journal of Neurophysiology. 90: 1910-20.
