Deakin Cognitive Neuroscience Unit
Research that explores the relationship between cognition, behaviour and biology
Research that investigates the human mind
The Deakin Cognitive Neuroscience Unit 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, they aim to develop novel interventions that use current neuroscience approaches and understandings.
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
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 in neurotypical populations and in neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and neurological disorders, including autism, depression and schizophrenia. 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:
- Understanding functional brain development and cognition across the lifespan.
- Clinical trials examining the behavioural and neurophysiological effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in neurotypical and neurodevelopmental populations.
- Using brain activity recordings (EEG) and non-invasive brain stimulation (TMS) to identify altered brain processes in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions (autism, depression, schizophrenia, anorexia).
- Functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (fMRS) during social processing.
- The Big Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Data (Big NIBS data) 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.
Social and Affective Neurodevelopment Lab
The Social and Affective Neurodevelopment Lab uses neuroimaging and developmental neuroscience approaches to understand social and emotional brain development from childhood through adolescence. Our research examines how biological, social, and environmental factors—such as puberty, parenting, and early adversity—shape neurodevelopment and contribute to risk and resilience for mental health difficulties associated with social and affective functioning, including depression and anxiety.
Our flagship projects include:
- Emotional Learning and Memory (ELM) Study – adolescent anxiety.
- Tuning in to Teens’ Brains (TINTB) – a parenting intervention targeting adolescent internalising problems.
- Families and Childhood Transitions Study (FACTS) – parenting and brain development.
- Imaging in the Childhood to Adolescent Transition Study (iCATS) – puberty and brain development.
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
Professor Karen Caeyenberghs is the lab leader of the Neuroplasticity and Multimodal Imaging Lab.
Professor Tim Silk is the lab leader of the Brain and Cognitive Development Lab.
Professor Sarah Whittle is the lab leader of the Social and Affective Neurodevelopment Lab.
Associate Professor Christian Hyde is the co-leader of the Deakin Cognitive Neuroscience Unit and lab leader of the Neuromotor Development Lab.
Associate Professor Ian Fuelscher is one of the lab leaders of the Neuromotor Development Lab.
Associate Professor Jarrad Lum is the co-leader of the Deakin Cognitive Neuroscience Unit and the lab leader of the EEG and Cognitive Dynamics 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.
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.
Contact us
Our team is here to answer your questions and help you learn more about the Deakin Cognitive Neuroscience Unit.
