Initiative 4. Neural Plasticity
Led by CELEST Board member Kathleen Kantak
A mature science of learning requires a refined consideration of plasticity. Plasticity refers to the changing of neurons and the organization of their networks by experience to impact brain function. Plasticity is fundamental to the learning process, with ramifications for planning, exploring, communicating, and remembering. Nonetheless, plasticity is not always beneficial. What is needed is an innovative way to discern adaptive from maladaptive plasticity in neurons and whole-brain networks of neurons. CELEST has the unique capacity to solve this problem by integrating several levels of analysis ranging from behavioral to physiological and computational. Discovering how plasticity is controlled as well as how to control plasticity could transform technology related to neuroprosthetics, brain-machine interfaces, and adaptive robots that are able to learn in response to new environments and stimuli. Fundamental research questions need to be addressed for effective translation of biological plasticity mechanisms into neuromorphic technologies, such as:
How do neural plasticity mechanisms help to ensure that neural computation leads to behavioral success despite cell and synaptic variations and loss?