Our research areas
Our researchers work across a diverse range of research areas in cognitive neuroscience. They use cutting-edge equipment to work on flagship projects across several key laboratories.
Research that investigates the human mind
The Cognitive Neuroscience Unit (CNU) examines both non-clinical and clinical populations to better understand a range of conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, language impairment, traumatic brain injury and developmental coordination disorder. Through various clinical trials, the CNU also aims to develop novel interventions that use current neuroscience approaches and understandings.
Brain and Cognitive Development Lab
The Brain and Cognitive Development Lab uses advanced neuroimaging techniques to enhance our understanding of neurodevelopment and how brain maturation relates to the development of cognitive functions. We use a range of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques (including structural, diffusion weighted imaging, functional and resting state) to investigate brain development in typical childhood, as well as when neurodevelopment goes awry, such as neurodevelopment disorders.
Our flagship projects include:
- Trajectories in brain structure and function for children with ADHD.
- Understanding the role of epigenetic factors in both typical and atypical brain and cognitive development.
- The influence of puberty on brain and cognitive development.
- The impact of social stressors on adolescent brain development.
Brain Systems and Neurotherapeutics Lab
The Brain Systems and Neurotherapeutics Lab uses advanced neuroscience techniques to better understand brain activity underlying neurodevelopmental, psychiatric and neurological disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia and dystonia. Our researchers use this knowledge to develop novel therapies that can target these brain systems and improve outcomes for individuals and their families.
Our flagship projects include:
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in autism spectrum disorder.
- The development of the social brain in early childhood.
- Clinical trials examining the behavioural and neurophysiological effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in autistic children.
- Functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (fMRS) during social processing.
- The effect of multi-day continuous theta-burst stimulation on symptoms of cervical dystonia.
- The Big Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS) project.
Make meaningful discoveries
Study a research degree or PhD with Deakin’s Faculty of Health and take a closer look at human behaviours, personalities, mental states, the brain and its processes.
Electroencephalography and Cognitive Dynamics Laboratory
The Electroencephalography (EEG) and Cognitive Dynamics Laboratory uses EEG to investigate the neural dynamics that underpin cognition, language, memory, motor functioning and human performance. The primary objective of our research is to investigate how communication between millions of neurons in the brain enables us to learn and complete everyday tasks.
Our flagship projects include:
- Oscillatory dynamics of developmental language disorder.
- Do brain waves predict response to treatment?
Neuromotor Development Lab
The Neuromotor Development Lab conducts a series of world-first studies investigating the causal mechanisms that subserve individual differences in skill acquisition across development and in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and ADHD.
Our flagship projects include:
- Understanding the co-occurrence of motor difficulties in neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Enhancing neuroimaging genetics through meta-analysis.
- Examining the benefits of cardio tennis for brain and neurocognitive development in children with ADHD.
- Using EEG to predict treatment outcomes of a home-based intervention.
Neuroplasticity and Multimodal Imaging Lab
The Neuroplasticity and Multimodal Imaging (NMI) Lab seeks to gain a deep understanding of how the brain changes in response to training in patients with brain injury, including detailed identification of damage to brain tissue resulting from injury. The lab also investigates the effect of training programs at the level of brain macrostructure and microstructure (neuroplasticity), which includes detailed spatio-temporal profiling of associated changes.
Our flagship projects include:
- Examination of cognitive impairment dynamics.
- ENIGMA traumatic brain injury working group.
- Multilayer network analyses in healthy and clinical populations.
- Longitudinal study in young rugby players.
- Detection of brain injuries using portable low-field magnetic resonance imaging.
- Web-based cognitive rehabilitation in patients with aggressive lymphoma.
Our purpose-built facilities
From groundbreaking transcranial magnetic stimulation to eye tracking and neuronavigation, our facilities will help you further your understanding of the human body and mind.
Our lab leaders
Associate Professor Tim Silk is the co-leader of the CNU and the lab leader of the Brain and Cognitive Development Lab.
Professor Karen Caeyenberghs is the is the co-leader of the CNU and the lab leader of the Neuroplasticity and Multimodal Imaging Lab.
Dr Aron Hill is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Psychology and one of the lab leaders of the Brain Systems and Neurotherapeutics Lab.
Dr Talitha Ford is a Research Fellow in the School of Psychology and one of the lab leaders of the Brain Systems and Neurotherapeutics Lab.
Associate Professor Jarrad Lum is the lab leader of the EEG and Cognitive Dynamics Lab.
Associate Professor Christian Hyde is the lab leader of the Neuromotor Development Lab.
Contact us
Our team is here to answer your questions and help you learn more about the CNU.
Twitter/X: @DeakinCNU