Causal Inference in Cognitive Neuroscience

This lecture by Gesa Hartwigsen from the Max Planck Institute explores the promises of causal inference in cognitive neuroscience, focusing on the use of neurostimulation for causal approaches. It discusses the difference between correlative and causal methods, the concept of 'virtual lesion' approach, and the challenges in establishing causal relationships in neurostimulation studies. The lecture delves into the impact of neurostimulation on behavior, factors influencing neurostimulation effects, and the mapping of network interactions at both behavioral and neural levels. It also covers the use of behavioral modeling to understand neurostimulation effects and the importance of electrical field modeling for increased stimulation efficiency. Overall, the lecture emphasizes the potential of neurostimulation approaches for providing causal insights into cognitive processes.