DISEASE BIOMARKER TEAM has been developing neuroimaging biomarkers of neuropsychiatric disorders as well as novel analysis methods by combining artificial intelligence and neuroscience. Our work has been supported by Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas(B) and Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B).

KEY WORDS
#Neuropsychiatric disorders
#Neuroimaging biomarkers.

Highlights

(1) Development of neuroimaging biomarker of neuropsychiatric disorders (AMED)

As the diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders relies on the subjective judgement of the physician, there is a need for the development of objective biomarkers. Recent studies have reported that non-invasive investigation of functional connectivity using resting-state fMRI can serve as a biomarker for psychiatric disorders, and this is a promising development. However, many of the currently available methods are not sufficiently accurate for diagnosis, suggesting limitations of conventional analysis methods. In this project, we will improve the accuracy of resting-state fMRI analysis in mice by analysing time series of brain state information at rest using a linear coupled model, separating brain state information and task-related information during task performance using a linear coupled model, and using optogenetics to identify causal relationships between neuronal responses reflecting brain state information and task-related information Develop methods. Human fMRI experts (Dr Chikazoe from Shintani) and mouse experts in calcium imaging and optogenetics (Dr Kozuma from the Institute of Physiology) are collaborating on the human and mouse studies.

(2) Emotional informatics (Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas(B))

The influence of emotions on human behaviour is one of the most fundamental topics in human science. However, as the subjective emotions of individuals are invisible, it is not easy to construct mathematical models of human behaviour with emotions as variables. In recent years, dramatic advances in machine learning technology have made it possible to decode hidden emotional information from neural and physical information. We are committed to providing new models, concepts and theories in the field of human sciences based on the emotional information decoded from brain activity.

(3) Correspondence between AI and brains

Humans and computers can derive subjective values from sensory events, but such transformation processes are an unexplored area. This study aims to elucidate unknown neural mechanisms by comparing convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with their human counterparts.
Specifically, we optimise CNNs to predict the aesthetic evaluation of paintings and focus on the relationship between CNN representations and brain activity through multi-voxel pattern analysis. Activity in primary visual cortex and higher association cortex was similar to that computed in the shallow and deep CNN layers, respectively. Visual-to-value conversion proved to be a hierarchical process, consistent with a principal gradient linking unimodal to transmodal brain regions (default mode network). In addition, activity in the frontal and parietal lobes was approximated by a goal-driven CNN. As a result, the representation of the hidden layers of the CNN could be understood and visualised through correspondences with brain activity, confirming the similarities between artificial intelligence and neuroscience.
A preprint of this study is available on biorxiv.

Members

Junichi Chikazoe, MD, Ph.D.
Research Team Lead
M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine. Post-doctoral work at the University of Toronto and Cornell University with Adam K. Anderson. After working as an associate professor at the Institute of Physiological Sciences, he joined Araya in 2021. His research focuses on creating AI with emotions. He is currently focusing on combining fMRI and deep learning to understand how value/valence emerges from sensory information. To see his latest research results, please click the above link or here.
Shotaro Funai, Ph.D.
Chief Researcher
After receiving a Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo in 2010, he worked on physics research at several institutes such as High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK). In 2016, he started researching machine learning, and in 2019, also started researching brain action through interdisciplinary collaborative research. He joined Araya in 2022. Based on his knowledge of physics, he is advancing data analysis of brain activity using machine learning.
Pham Quang Trung, Ph.D.
Senior Researcher
Pham is a Senior Researcher at Araya. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the Nagoya Institute of Technology. He did his postdoc with Junichi Chikazoe at National Institute for Physiological Science. He is interested in developing the computational models of brain and perception. He is a member of IEEE, SICE, and JNSS. His works can be found at here.
Haruki Niwa
Researcher
I left my postgraduate studies at Aichi Prefectural University in 2022 and joined Araya. I aim to reduce mental suffering using technology.
Dan Lee
Senior Researcher
Dan is a researcher at Araya. He received his PhD in Psychology at the University of Toronto, and his BASc in Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He is interested in emotions and value, their representations, and their function in intelligence.