Statistical inference for models of brain activity

• Grant number: 14/00947-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: August 01, 2014
• End date: July 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Probability and Statistics - Applied Probability and Statistics
• Principal Investigator: Florencia Graciela Leonardi
• Grantee: Florencia Graciela Leonardi
• Host Investigator: Peter Buhlmann
• Host Institution: Instituto de Matemática e Estatística (IME). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland
• Associated research grant: 13/07699-0 - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics - NeuroMat, AP.CEPID

Abstract

In this project we will be concerned with the statistical inference of graphical models exhibiting an evolution in time. In particular, we will focus on the following research lines:- The development of new probabilistic models for the description of brain activity, taking into account variable range dependence in time and space. - The use of penalized maximum likelihood and convex programming estimation methods to infer the model parameters. This includes also the study of the consistency and efficiency of these methods. - The use and evaluation of some techniques of causal structure learning and inference for neuroscience data.