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sen.cheng@rub.de +49 (0)234 32 29486

Prof. Dr. Sen Cheng

Project P2, Project P5

Ruhr University Bochum
Institut für Neuroinformatik
NB 3/33
Universitätsstraße 150
44801 Bochum

sen.cheng@rub.de

+49 (0)234 32 29486

https://www.ini.rub.de/research/groups/computational_neuroscience/

My research group investigates the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory. We are primarily interested in the hippocampus, the brain region that is mainly involved in episodic memory, as well as in the learning and memory of sequences. Our research focuses on the dynamics of these processes, which has received relatively little attention to date.

We employ two complementary approaches. Our first approach is modeling, including mathematic models as well as computer simulation of complex networks. While all models are simplified, we aim to build biologically realistic models that capture the essence of the neural circuit mechanism underlying learning and memory. Our second approach is data-mining. We develop methods for model-based data analysis and apply such methods to experimental data. These data include electrophysiological and EEG recordings as well as behavioral data. We collaborate closely with neuroscientists on the RUB campus and at other universities in Germany and abroad.

    2024

  • Distinct mechanisms and functions of episodic memory
    Cheng, S.
    Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 379(1913)
  • A neural network model for online one-shot storage of pattern sequences
    Melchior, J., Altamimi, A., Bayati, M., Cheng, S., & Wiskott, L.
    PLOS ONE, 19(6), 1–28
    link

    • 2023

  • Learning to predict future locations with internally generated theta sequences
    Parra-Barrero, E., & Cheng, S.
    PLOS Computational Biology, 19(5), e1011101
  • A model of hippocampal replay driven by experience and environmental structure facilitates spatial learning
    Diekmann, N., & Cheng, S.
    eLife, 12, e82301
  • Solidity Meets Surprise: Cerebral and Behavioral Effects of Learning from Episodic Prediction Errors
    Siestrup, S., Jainta, B., Cheng, S., & Schubotz, R. I.
    Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 35(2), 291–313
    link
  • CoBeL-RL: A neuroscience-oriented simulation framework for complex behavior and learning
    Diekmann, N., Vijayabaskaran, S., Zeng, X., Kappel, D., Menezes, M. C., & Cheng, S.
    Frontiers in Neuroinformatics, 17
  • A map of spatial navigation for neuroscience
    Parra-Barrero, E., Vijayabaskaran, S., Seabrook, E., Wiskott, L., & Cheng, S.
    Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 152, 105200
    link
  • Modeling the function of episodic memory in spatial learning
    Zeng, X., Diekmann, N., Wiskott, L., & Cheng, S.
    Frontiers in Psychology, 14

    • 2022

  • Where was the toaster? A systematic investigation of semantic construction in a new virtual episodic memory paradigm
    Zoellner, C., Klein, N., Cheng, S., Schubotz, R. I., Axmacher, N., & Wolf, O. T.
    Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 174702182211166
  • A Model of Semantic Completion in Generative Episodic Memory
    Fayyaz, Z., Altamimi, A., Zoellner, C., Klein, N., Wolf, O. T., Cheng, S., & Wiskott, L.
    Neural Computation, 34(9), 1841–1870
    A Model of Semantic Completion in Generative Episodic Memory
  • What Happened When? Cerebral Processing of Modified Structure and Content in Episodic Cueing
    Siestrup, S., Jainta, B., El-Sourani, N., Trempler, I., Wurm, M. F., Wolf, O. T., et al.
    Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 34(7), 1287–1305
  • Seeing What I Did (Not): Cerebral and Behavioral Effects of Agency and Perspective on Episodic Memory Re-activation
    Jainta, B., Siestrup, S., El-Sourani, N., Trempler, I., Wurm, M. F., Werning, M., et al.
    Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 15

    • 2021

  • The computational benefits of episodic memory in spatial learning
  • Neuronal sequences during theta rely on behavior-dependent spatial maps
    Parra-Barrero, E., Diba, K., & Cheng, S.
    eLife, 10
  • Self-referential false associations: A self-enhanced constructive effect for verbal but not pictorial stimuli
    Wang, J., Otgaar, H., Howe, M. L., & Cheng, S.
    Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 174702182110097
  • A model of semantic completion in generative episodic memory
    Fayyaz, Z., Altamimi, A., Cheng, S., & Wiskott, L.

    • 2019

  • Improving sensory representations using episodic memory
    Görler, R., Wiskott, L., & Cheng, S.
    Hippocampus
    On-line version [full]

    • 2017

  • Taxonomy and unity of memory
    Werning, M., & Cheng, S.
    In S. Bernecker & Michaelian, K. (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Memory (pp. 7–20) New York, NY: Routledge

    • 2016

  • What is Episodic Memory if it is a Natural Kind?
    Cheng, S., & Werning, M.
    Synthese, 193, 1345–1385
  • Dissociating memory traces and scenario construction in mental time travel
    Cheng, S., Werning, M., & Suddendorf, T.
    Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 60, 82–89

    • 2014

  • Is Episodic Memory a Natural Kind? - A Defense of the Sequence Analysis
    Werning, M., & Cheng, S.
    In P. Bello, Guarini, M., McShane, M., & Scassellati, B. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society (pp. 964–969) Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society

    • 2013

  • Composition and replay of mnemonic sequences : The contributions of REM and slow-wave sleep to episodic memory
    Cheng, S., & Werning, M.
    Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 36(6), 610–611

About the research unit

The research unit FOR 2812 "Constructing scenarios of the past: A new framework in episodic memory" is a project funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG). The research unit studies the cognitive and neuronal mechanisms underlying scenario construction in episodic memory. We employ and integrate approaches from Philosophy, Psychology, and Experimental and Computational Neuroscience.

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Contact

Universitätsstr. 150,
44801 Bochum, Germany

Tel: +49 (0)234 32 27996
Fax: +49 (0)234 32 14210