In the inaugural lecture, neuroscientist Klaus Linkenkaer-Hansen (Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research) explains how brains and other living systems stay healthy and resilient.
| Inaugural lecture title | The Challenge of Balance | ||
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| Location | Aula, VU main building, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam | ||
| Inaugural lecture description | After a century of dissecting the structure and function of brains, neuroscience now faces the challenge of bringing it all together. To explain our ability to perceive, feel, think, move and adapt, we need to understand how neurons form networks and communicate with each other. Complexity and variability To investigate the dynamics of these interactions, Linkenkaer-Hansen was inspired by the theory of self-organized criticality, which explains why we see so much complexity and variability in nature. Linkenkaer-Hansen: “Remarkably, we discovered that networks of neurons produce similar patterns of activity to those observed in socio-economic and ecological systems.” In his inaugural lecture, Linkenkaer-Hansen explains the theory behind these observations. How we use computer models to understand the cellular mechanism that regulate network behavior and functions, and to develop tools for analyzing brain activity. Interestingly, links between balance, complexity, and resilience in ecosystems and brains are making us rethink how we diagnose and treat brain disorders. | ||