Behavioral Neuroscience Lab

Scope of Research

The goal of the Behavioral Neuroscience Lab is to contribute scientific findings to the field of neuroscience. Members and collaborators of the Center focus on studying not only physiological, but also genetic mechanisms of human behavior. We also study biological mechanisms underlying not only emotional responses, but also cognitive activities. We employ the latest methods and tools of psychophysiological measurement, such as EMG, EEG, TMS, tDCS, MRI, and a recently acquired sensory stimulator TSA 2, and use advanced analysis of brain activity, including the analysis of structural and functional neuronal networks.

Emotion regulation in non-suicidal self-injury

Research with the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The goal of the project is to evaluate the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the process of emotion regulation, in a group of hospitalized adolescents diagnosed with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). It is assumed that the pivotal trait of NSSI is emotion dysregulation, which manifests in self-injury, as well as impulsive behavior, lack of emotional consciousness, and a high intensity of experiencing negative emotions. While comparing brain imaging that indicates functional disorders in the cortical-subcortical neuronal networks (Schreiner i in., 2017), it was assumed that tDCAS of the prefrontal cortex may reinstate the disturbed balance of the above-noted networks and positively impact the ability of emotion regulation, i.e. lower the level of impulsive reactions, lower the high level of emotional arousal, and decrease the frequency of attempted self-injury incidents.

The impact of affective perspective-taking on pain perception using different psychophysiological methods (EMG, EEG, fMRI), depending on: (1) high sensitivity to stimuli processing, (2) social anxiety, (3) psychological flexibility

The study follows the picture-based paradigm (Jackson et al, 2006), which has shown that during pain observation, in case of the “I” affective perspective taking, stronger responses are observed not only at the level of facial muscles (m. orbicularis oculi, m. corrugator supercilli), but also in brain responses (anterior circulate cortex, insular cortex), as compared with the “OTHERS” perspective, where this effect has not been observed. At the same time, according to the Batson model, taking the “I” perspective is conducive to higher emotional empathy demonstration. So far, it has not been established whether this correlation will be observed in case of different psychological factors, such as high sensitivity to stimuli processing, level of anxiety, and psychological flexibility. The goal of the project is to explore this issue.

The impact of affective perspective taking on the level of empathic response in narcissistic individuals, using the EMG, EEG, and fMRI measurement

Taking into consideration the heterogenic nature of persons with the narcissistic disorder (e.g. professional literature differentiates between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism), we examine whether a merely induced perspective-taking can influence the psychophysiological empathy indicators (muscle response - EMG method, brain response - fMRI) in the same way, in people representing the vulnerable and grandiose narcissism.

Mapping functional neuronal networks of pain empathy in highly sensitive persons

Assuming the network approach to the functional organization of the brain, in close cooperation with the team of dr hab. Piotr Bogorodzki from the Nalecz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering (IBBE), at the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), we are mapping functional networks underlying empathic reactions to pain while inducing the own perspective (the “I” perspective), using an existing database of pain films, among persons with different sensitivity to stimuli processing.

Mapping characteristics of functional nerve networks during an empathic response to pain in persons suffering from chronic back pain, depending on the level of pain perception

In comparison to studies monitoring the level of visual and auditory perception, there are very few studies that focus on measuring sensory stimuli, such as warmth, cold, and pain that are closely monitored. Thanks to a recently purchased neurosensory system TSA-2, financed by the RID program, we have been preparing a series of studies that will monitor the threshold of pain and tolerance to pain, while observing empathic reaction in persons suffering from chronic back pain.

The dynamics of functional networks in persons with disorders of consciousness

Researching the changes in functional networks in persons with disorders of consciousness. Currently, we are developing an overview of functional networks in patients in vegetative state and with minimal consciousness. Next, we will conduct EEG studies with these patients to develop a detailed description of their functioning during the wake cycles and we will attempt to classify individual patients based on brain activity patterns.