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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

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AFFILIATION

Champalimaud Foundation

Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown

Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal

T (+351) 210 480 200

alfonso.renart(at)research.fchampalimaud.org

FUNDING