***Apologies for multiple postings***

(1) Reminder of the Cognitive Area Seminar this week

(2) Journal Blitz in Thomson House at 5pm on Friday (after the Cognitive Area Seminar)

(1) This week, for the Cognitive Area Seminar, we're happy to have Anna Zamm, graduate student in Caroline Palmer's Sequence Production Lab, give a talk:

Neural correlates of endogenous rhythms Anna Zamm Human behaviors are often rhythmic. From circadian sleep-wake cycles to solo music performance, many behaviors are characterized by endogenous rhythms: periodicities that occur in the absence of external stimuli. What neural mechanisms support endogenous timing? Evidence from electroencephalography (EEG) suggests that exogenous (externally paced) timing is supported by cortical oscillations that respond to frequencies of external stimuli. Here we investigate whether endogenous rhythms are characterized by cortical oscillations at the frequency of one's own behavior. We address this question in the context of self-paced music performance, a naturally rhythmic behavior in which humans show a wide range of endogenous frequencies. 40 skilled pianists completed a Solo piano performance task in which they continuously performed a melody at a comfortable rate while mobile EEG was recorded. Endogenous rhythms were assessed for each pianist in terms of performance rate (measured by number of tone onsets per second) during Solo performance. Cortical oscillations for each pianist were assessed by computing EEG power spectra across channels during Solo performance. To allow for cross-participant comparison of spectral power associated with performance rates, individual spectra were normalized relative to a fixed window surrounding each pianists' endogenous frequency, corresponding to their Solo performance rates. Findings demonstrated a significant spectral peak at the frequency of endogenous rhythms across channels, with maximal power at fronto-central channels: The observed scalp distribution could not be accounted for by head movement or other motion artefacts. Thus, we provide the first evidence that production of endogenous rhythms is supported by increased power of cortical oscillations corresponding to the frequencies of each musician's performance.

Friday, October 26th, 15h30-17h00 Stewart Biology Building, S3/4

(2) After the talk, we will gather in Thomson House for the Journal Blitz; join us to tell us about an article you have read recently, hear about what others have read, and discuss (over drinks and nachos).

The seminar and Journal Blitz is open to students, faculty, post-docs, and whoever else who is interested.

Please forward this message to your students and other interested parties.

Esther

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