

Biological organisms are bound by the same rules as all other physical systems, but suggest different explanatory frameworks based on agency and purpose — that is, we describe them as making decisions. Simple perceptual decision-making tasks allow a rigorous quantitative investigation of the mechanistic underpinnings of the of process of “choice”, helping us tease apart the relative causal influence of external influences and a variety of internal processes during the specification of actions. In our lab, we use quantitative approaches to study various aspects of cognition that are relevant to decision-making. We are interested in understanding both the computational principles that are at play on a given behavioral task — both from a normative and from a mechanistic perspective — as well as in making progress towards elucidating the neural basis of these processes. Our strategy relies on the detailed analysis and theoretical modelling of behavior — as a starting point to the study of the function of the nervous system using recordings and perturbations.
Read more about our research HERE
Main Interests
Understanding the computational processes important for decision making and goal directed behavior.
Methods
Behavior, Theory, Electrophysiology, Optogenetics
Models and Regions
Rats, mice, humans
Want to join our lab?
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Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown
Avenida BrasÃlia, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
T (+351) 210 480 200
alfonso.renart(at)research.fchampalimaud.org