OxCIN Global Scholars + WIP

Dolphin brains are shaped differently

Presented by Heitor Mynssen

Abstract: Cetaceans are a peculiar group of mammals that evolved to a fully aquatic lifestyle millions of years ago. During this process, they accumulated several anatomical differences from their terrestrial counterparts, including, but not limited to, their neuroanatomy. In attempt to quantify those differences, our group have developed: 1- a theoretical physics model of cortical folding; 2- a network of institutes dedicated to collecting, preserving and analyzing brains of aquatic mammals; and 3- computational tools that capture quantitative features of those brains and allows us to test our predictions. In our most recent work, we finally combine the over decade-long efforts to synthesize how cetaceans, surprisingly, follow a folding law of their own. The results we have so far indicate that, beyond the internal and external forces that normally regulate the geometry of the brain, cetaceans might have one or more extra components acting upon their gyrification. Possible causes might be linked to the relatively low neuronal density, which, in turn, might break some of the assumptions of the theoretical model. Nonetheless, cetaceans' brains have a well defined unique mathematical class of their own, separating them from all other mammals.

Spontaneous Reactivation of Painful Cues During Wakeful Rest

Presented by Sarah Schreiber

Abstract: Neural reactivation has been implicated in learning, memory consolidation, and prospective planning, with converging evidence from animal and human studies linking replay to improved task performance and model-based control. However, its role in avoidance and aversive learning remains relatively underexplored. To address this, we are planning an fMRI study in which participants perform a two-step decision-making task with painful outcomes, followed by a period of wakeful rest during which spontaneous reactivation is assessed. We will test whether previously observed biases in replay (shock > safety) generalise to a more complex task, and whether reactivation strength relates to individual differences in model-based control. This work aims to clarify the role of reactivation in avoidance learning and inform mechanistically grounded interventions targeting maladaptive memory processes.