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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01cj82kb509
Title: Probabilistic methods for modeling decision-making dynamics and identifying structure in neural datasets
Authors: Zoltowski, David
Advisors: Pillow, Jonathan W.
Contributors: Neuroscience Department
Subjects: Neurosciences
Issue Date: 2022
Publisher: Princeton, NJ : Princeton University
Abstract: Research in statistical neuroscience uses tools from probabilistic modeling, statistics, and machine learning to help draw scientific conclusions from complex neural datasets. In this dissertation we present multiple contributions in these areas. We begin by describing methods to identify neural dynamics during decision-making and to characterize how neural dynamics relate to models of decision-making behavior. Using these methods, we identify both discrete stepping and continuous accumulation-to-bound dynamics in various brain regions during decision-making tasks. As part of this work we also develop variational Laplace EM, a general method for fitting recurrent switching dynamical systems. We then describe approaches to address two statistical problems with modern neural data. We first use approximate sufficient statistics to enable fitting Poisson GLMs to massive neural datasets. Next, we devise methods for more accurate estimation of internal latent states underlying population calcium imaging data. Finally, we describe a new Monte Carlo gradient estimator based on slice sampling. The slice sampling reparameterization gradients apply to a wide class of unnormalized distributions, enabling lower variance Monte Carlo gradient estimates on new classes of distributions. Our contributions have provided insight into neural dynamics during decision making and the various methods we have developed have broad utility in statistical neuroscience and machine learning.
URI: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01cj82kb509
Alternate format: The Mudd Manuscript Library retains one bound copy of each dissertation. Search for these copies in the library's main catalog: catalog.princeton.edu
Type of Material: Academic dissertations (Ph.D.)
Language: en
Appears in Collections:Neuroscience

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