Hosts

I aim to understand how neurons generate mental functions. To this end, I combine experiments with (in descending order of publication numbers) pigeons, humans, dolphins, corvids, and Nile crocodiles. Thus, I try to combine the depth of neuronal analysis using animal experiments (single cell recordings, behavioral studies, neuroanatomical, neurochemical and neuroimaging analyses) with the power of cognitive experiments using human subjects (behavioral experiments, fMRI, patient studies). With this approach, three research topics are analyzed. One of them is cerebral asymmetry: Here, I try to disentangle the principles, with which lateralization’s emerge in ontogeny and create their profound impact on the way organisms perceive, think and act. The second interest field is cognitive control. Here, I analyze prefrontal functions with respect to executive functions and decision making. The third interest field is the evolution of cognition; an area in which I collect evidence that birds and mammals have taking different but converging ways to establish equally powerful forebrain structures.