Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

2-9-2010

Abstract

A novel model to study the resource allocation of a functioning brain is proposed. The mechanism is based on the theory of competitive equilibrium (CE), where users (cortical areas of the brain) are competing for a finite resource such as oxygenated blood. Concepts of CE are mathematically adjusted to be used with functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) data. The current study uses imaging data were subjects are requested to selectively attend and respond to either a visual or auditory metronome in the presence of asynchronous cross-modal distractors. Two studies with distinct patient populations (patients with schizophrenia patients with mild traumatic brain injuries) are used to asses the applicability of the proposed method. Comparisons to traditionally used methods to analyze simulated and real FMRI data are also provided. Results indicate that it is possible to mathematically formulate an underlying resource allocation mechanism of a human brain. Additionally, when comparing to traditional analysis methods, the proposed model increases the sensitivity of these data when examining different stimuli conditions and also increases the classification accuracy between the patient group versus normal controls.

Keywords

Brain--Localization of functions., Brain--Magnetic resonance imaging.

Sponsors

The Mind Research Network DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-99ER62764, NIH Grant No. 1 R03 DA022435, and NIH grant No. R21NS064464

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Electrical Engineering

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Mayer, Andrew, R.

Second Committee Member

Calhoun, Vincent D.

Third Committee Member

Abdallah, Chaouki T.

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