Program

Brain states emerge as recurring patterns of distributed neural activity, shaped by the brain’s structural and functional networks. These states are fundamental to cognition, reflecting individual differences and offering insight into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying behavior and pathology. Investigating their spatiotemporal dynamics, transitions, and interactions with various functional processes provides a valuable framework for understanding the brain’s functional organization and how it shapes individual behavior and thought.

This symposium brings together research that examines brain states in the context of cognitive engagement and behavioral outcomes. Our contributors employ diverse experimental paradigms to elicit specific brain states and use network-based approaches to analyze their properties. The symposium will highlight research exploring brain states arising from cognitive demands, their role in memory and decision-making, and their alterations across the lifespan. Additionally, we will discuss how cognitive training and interventions may shape these states, with implications for clinical neuroscience.

The symposium will conclude with a panel discussion on the conceptual and methodological frontiers of brain state research, addressing both the opportunities and challenges of studying dynamic brain activity through means of network neuroscience and machine learning.