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MAPlab Memory, Action and Perception Laboratory

Elucidating the Neural Mechanisms of Action Control. At MAPlab, we investigate the transformation of mental events into physical action. Our research maps the cognitive architecture that bridges the gap between perception and behavior—from the basic mechanics of movement to the complex neural circuits that drive goal-oriented decision-making.

Our Research Focus

We explore the intersection of three critical cognitive domains to understand how humans interact with their environment:

Perception & Attention: How sensory inputs are filtered and processed to guide movement.
Decision-Making: The neural computations that precede voluntary action.
Memory & Learning: How past experiences and reinforcement shape future behaviour.

Methodological Approach

We employ a multimodal, quantitative strategy to probe the brain's control systems:

Neuroimaging: High-resolution functional and structural MRI to map functional networks and anatomical connectivity.
Computational Modelling: Using mathematical frameworks to formalize learning behaviors and predict decision-making processes.
Behavioral Analytics: Precise measurement of human kinematics and response patterns.

Translational Impact

Beyond fundamental neuroscience, our work aims to characterize the pathophysiology of injury and disease. By decoding the healthy mind in motion, we are establishing new baselines for understanding and treating disorders that disrupt the mind-body connection.

Most recent publications from the lab

Transfer of motor learning is associated with patterns of activity in the default mode network

Rezaei, A., Areshenkoff, C.N., Gale, D.J., De Brouwer, A.J., Nashed, J.Y., Flanagan, J.R., & Gallivan, J.P.

Plos Biology

Contractions in human cerebellar-cortical manifold structure underlie motor reinforcement learning

Zhu, T., Areshenkoff, C.N., de Brouwer, A.J., Nashed, J.Y., Flanagan, J.R., & Gallivan, J.P.

Journal of Neuroscience

Distinct patterns of connectivity with the motor cortex reflect different components of sensorimotor learning

Areshenkoff, C.N., de Brouwer, A.J., Gale, D.J., Nashed, J.Y., Smallwood, J. Flanagan, J.R. & Gallivan, J.P.

Plos Biology

Chagnes in social environment impact primate gut microbiota composition

Pearce CS, Bukovsky D, Douchant K, Katoch A, Greenlaw J, Gale DJ, Nashed JY, Brien D, Kuhlmeier VA, Sabbagh MA, Blohm G, De Felice FG, Pare M, Cook DJ, Scott SH, Munoz DP, Sjaarda CP, Tusche A, Sheth PM, Winterborn A, Boehnke S, Gallivan JP.

Animal Microbiome

Visual statistical learning alters low-dimensional cortical architecture

Rowchan, K., Gale, D.J., Nick, Q., Gallivan, J.P. & Wammes, J.D.

Journal of Neuroscience

Changes in cortical manifold structure following stroke and its relation to behavioral recovery in male macaques

Nashed, J.Y., Gale, D.J., Gallivan, J.P & Cook, D.J.

Nature Communications

Whole-brain modular dynamics at rest predict sensorimotor learning performance

Standage, D.I., Gale, D.J., Nashed, J.Y., Flanagan, J.R. & Gallivan, J.P.

Network Neuroscience

Adaptation of the gain of the corrective lifting response in object manipulation transfers across the hand.

McGarity-Shipley, M.R., Gallivan, J.P. & Flanagan, J.R.

Scientific Reports

Reconfigurations of cortical manifold structure during reward-based motor learning

Nick, Q., Gale, D.J., Areshenkoff, C.N., De Brouwer, A.J., Nashed, J.Y., Wammes, J., Flanagan, J.R., Smallwood, J & Gallivan, J.P.

Elife

Interaction between decision-making and motor learning when selecting reach targets in the presence of bias and noise

Zhu, T., Gallivan, J.P., Wolpert, D.M. & Flanagan, J.R.

PLoS Computational Biology

Grasping with a twist: Dissociating action goals from motor actions in human frontoparietal circuits

Rens, G., Figley, T.D., Gallivan, J.P., Liu, Y. & Culham, J.C.

Journal of Neuroscience

Visual search for reach targets in actionable space is influenced by movement costs imposed by obstacles

Moskowitz, J.B., Fooken, J., Castelhano, M.S., Gallivan, J.P. & Flanagan, J.R.

Journal of Vision

Distinct patterns of cortical manifold expansion and contraction underlie human sensorimotor adaptation.

Gale, D.J., Areshenkoff, C.N., Standage, D.P., Nashed, J.Y., Markello, R.D., Flanagan, J.R., Smallwood, J. & Gallivan, J.P.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Spontaneous behavioural recovery following stroke relates to the integrity of sensory and association cortices

Nashed, J.Y., Shearer, K.T., Wang, J.Z., Chen, Y., Cook, E.E., Champagne, A.A., Coverdale, N.S., Fernandez-Ruiz, J., Striver, S.I., Gallivan, J.P & Cook, D.J.

Translational Stroke Research