Research Interests

Neural and Behavioral Dynamics

Research focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms subserving complex temporal behavior. Research activity is centered around two major projects:

Behavioral analysis and computational modeling of vocal development in songbirds.

The combination of a learned, stereotyped behavior and specialized anatomy make birdsong an ideal system in which to study the neural basis of complex behavior. However, much work will be required to bridge the gap between the functional anatomy of the song system and song behavior. A crucial component in building this bridge will be to gain a better understanding of the acoustic signals produced during vocal learning. Therefore, one goal of the lab is to collect and analyze a large database of song collected from juvenile birds. A second goal is to work on building the bridge directly, by constructing computational models of song learning.

Neural encoding and dynamical processing in models of neural circuits.

Computational models serve as important analogies for how to think about the biological mechanisms sub serving complex neural processing. However, most models are dominated by a single time scale, whereas a range of time scales are likely to influence information processing in neural circuits. A second focus of the lab is to use theory and modeling to hone our intuitions about temporal coding. One aspect of this work focuses on understanding the temporal response properties of simplified integrate-and-fire neurons. More general investigation will explore the possibility that neural circuits use interacting encoding schemes operating on different time scales to multiplex information.

Recent Publications

Christopher M. Glaze and Todd W. Troyer. Behavioral Measurements of a Temporally Precise Motor Code for Birdsong. Journal of Neuroscience, 27(29): 7631-7639, 2007.

Todd W. Troyer. Factors Affecting Phase Synchrony in Integrate-and-Fire Oscillators. Journal of Computational Neuroscience. 20(10):191-200, 2006.

Joanna R. Pressley and Todd W. Troyer. Temporal Processing in the Exponential Integrate-and-Fire Model is Nonlinear. Neurocomputing, 69(10-12): 1076-1080, 2006.

David. L. Boothe, Avis H. Cohen, and Todd W. Troyer. Temporal Correlations in Stochastic Models of Double Bursting During Locomotion. Journal of Neurophysiology. 95(3):1556-70, 2006.

Christopher M. Glaze and Todd W. Troyer. Temporal Structure in Zebra Finch Song: Implications for Motor Coding. Journal of Neuroscience, 26(3):991-1005, 2006.