Consciousness Science at Sussex is supported by a wide range of technical resources
Imaging
The Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science performs functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) experiments using the MRI resources available at Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre (CISC), Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS). Accompanying our Siemens AVANTO 1.5T scanner, we have MRI-compatible EEG, NIRS, and eye-tracking devices. A particular strength of our MRI setup is the availability of wide range of MRI compatible physiological measurement devices including pulse oximetry, and respiratory and cardiovascular monitoring. We also have additional EEG systems located in the School of Psychology (EGI and Neuroscan). Stimulation experiments are performed using TMS (MagStim) with a MiniBird navigation system.
Computation
Sackler Centre scientists engage in large-scale data analysis and simulation modelling, requiring state-of-the-art computation resources. As well as high performance desktop machines and Dell Blade/Server clusters, we are pioneering developments in GPGPU (general purpose graphical processing unit) computation, both for simulation of very large detailed neural models, and for analysis of high dimensional data sets. Our current machine hosts 3 nVIDIA Fermi GPUs providing several hundred parallel cores linked by high bandwidth memory.
Analysis
Sackler Centre co-director Anil Seth has developed a widely used MATLAB toolbox for analysis of causal (effective) connectivity (see option on left for more details). HIs toolbox is based on the concept of Granger causality, according to which a signal X causes Y if X precedes and helps predict Y.
Experiment
At the Sackler Centre we develop novel experimental tools for practicing consciousness science. One such tool, the enactive torch (see left), enables a unique form of 'perception at a distance' allowing us to study perceptual adaptation and substitution.
