Sepehr Mortaheb (UAntwerp): "From Noise to Insight: The Role of fMRI Global Signal in Mental State Characterization"

Monday 16 Dec 2024, 14:00 → 15:00 Europe/Brussels

B-30/0-000 - Big meeting room (CRC)

Abstract: The global signal (GS), defined as the average BOLD signal across the brain in fMRI studies, has been debated in functional data analysis. While some view the GS as primarily reflecting non-neural physiological noise, others suggest it may carry important insights into the brain’s functional organization. Our recent findings reveal that GS amplitude changes across distinct mental states, ranging from mind-blanking to psychedelic experiences. In this presentation, I will discuss how variations in GS amplitude complement dynamic functional connectivity analyses, offering a deeper understanding of the neural basis underlying these diverse mental states.

Bio: With a background in Electrical Engineering and signal processing, Sepehr Mortaheb specializes in neuroimaging and cognitive neuroscience. He earned his master’s degree in Communication Systems from the Isfahan University of Technology, Iran, where he focused on event-related potentials and their role in time perception mechanisms in humans. He then pursued his PhD at the University of Liège, Belgium, under the supervision of Dr. Athena Demertzi, where his research explored the intricate relationship between the brain's functional and structural connectomes and ongoing cognition. His work delved into the neural mechanisms underlying various mental states, including mind-blanking, and examined how extreme conditions, such as psychedelic states and space travel, impact the brain’s connectome. He also investigated the potential for predicting ongoing mental states at rest solely through neuroimaging data. Currently, as a postdoctoral researcher at the Lab for Equilibrium Investigations and Aerospace (LEIA), University of Antwerp, his research is centered on understanding the effects of microgravity and space travel on the brain’s structural and functional networks.