Current Research
Areas
Students currently enrolled at UCSD and interested in a lab
rotation or independent project
please contact Dr. Pineda or
call
858-534-9754
(lab/office). Visit current projects to see
ongoing experiments.
I.
Brain computer interfaces (BCIs)
Our interest in BCIs has been to study information maximization by how
information is presented,
developing ways to improve signal detection, and determining how long it takes to learn to develop
intentional control of brain rhythms. We are examining factors that can improve learning, such as
extensive feedback, a realistic environment, and motivationally-engaging stimuli. We are also interested
in whether learning to control brain rhythms affects cognition in general. The basic question is whether
subjects who are learning to become more attentive to cognitive states show changes in attention,
memory, understanding action, etc (to learn more).
and observed movement and are thought to contribute to the ability to relate to others (to learn more).
We've shown that suppression of EEG oscillations in the mu frequency (8-13Hz) band over prefrontal
cortex is correlated with mirror neuron activity. We study this mu wave suppression in a variety of
populations to determine how a dysfunctional mirror neuron system may contribute to the pathology in
autism, addiction, and other disorders, including a lack of theory of mind. (See news story).
developing ways to improve signal detection, and determining how long it takes to learn to develop
intentional control of brain rhythms. We are examining factors that can improve learning, such as
extensive feedback, a realistic environment, and motivationally-engaging stimuli. We are also interested
in whether learning to control brain rhythms affects cognition in general. The basic question is whether
subjects who are learning to become more attentive to cognitive states show changes in attention,
memory, understanding action, etc (to learn more).
.
II.
Mirror neurons, mu rhythms, and autism
and observed movement and are thought to contribute to the ability to relate to others (to learn more).
We've shown that suppression of EEG oscillations in the mu frequency (8-13Hz) band over prefrontal
cortex is correlated with mirror neuron activity. We study this mu wave suppression in a variety of
populations to determine how a dysfunctional mirror neuron system may contribute to the pathology in
autism, addiction, and other disorders, including a lack of theory of mind. (See news story).
III.
Motivation, attention, and addiction
Attention
biases are important mediators of normal,
healthy
motivated behavior that can inform us about
pathological states, such as addiction. Using reaction times (RTs) and event-related potentials (ERPs),
we examine the impact of motivatinally-salient cues on normal and abnormal processes when used as spatial
cues that frequently predict the location of targets in simple detection tasks. We've shown that such stimuli
can bias spatial attention in normal and addicted subjects and that electrophysiological markers exist that index
the motivational salience of these cues and their effect on attentional capture.
pathological states, such as addiction. Using reaction times (RTs) and event-related potentials (ERPs),
we examine the impact of motivatinally-salient cues on normal and abnormal processes when used as spatial
cues that frequently predict the location of targets in simple detection tasks. We've shown that such stimuli
can bias spatial attention in normal and addicted subjects and that electrophysiological markers exist that index
the motivational salience of these cues and their effect on attentional capture.
IV. Tinnitus research
Tinnitus—a
persistent “ringing” in the ears that affects approximately 44 million
people
in the U.S. —is
commonly thought to be incurable. One hypothesis suggests that tinnitus activity interferes with the
perception of real sounds, causing measurable changes in the patient’s EEG compared to those of normal
individuals. Our results suggest a measurable difference between the two groups. We are also developing
a sound-based therapy that exposes patients to sounds that mimic their internal noise. Over a short period
of time, patients habituate to the sound, and this extends to their tinnitus perception. (See news story).
commonly thought to be incurable. One hypothesis suggests that tinnitus activity interferes with the
perception of real sounds, causing measurable changes in the patient’s EEG compared to those of normal
individuals. Our results suggest a measurable difference between the two groups. We are also developing
a sound-based therapy that exposes patients to sounds that mimic their internal noise. Over a short period
of time, patients habituate to the sound, and this extends to their tinnitus perception. (See news story).
