Brent Pitchford
@bpitchford.bsky.social
Interested in Brains and Cognition. Postdoc in both the Hoplab and the Mathlab (Leuven, Belgium). Passion for Music, History, and Nature.
he/him
he/him
Pinned
Brent Pitchford
@bpitchford.bsky.social
· Sep 23
Distinct neural processing underlying visual face and object perception in dyslexia
Developmental dyslexia is a disorder marked by difficulties in reading, spelling, and connecting sounds to written language. The high-level visual dys…
www.sciencedirect.com
Excited to share a new article from @icevislab.bsky.social! In a sample of over 60 people, we found distinct neural differences underlying object and face recognition in dyslexia. These findings highlight crucial domain-general visual processes that may contribute to word reading challenges.
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
Just landed here 👋
We’re NeuroSPACE, a KU Leuven Methusalem project bringing together 4 labs to explore how the brain combines domain-specific knowledge with domain-general cognitive abilities to shape human behavior.
Excited to share our science and to connect with other curious minds here!
We’re NeuroSPACE, a KU Leuven Methusalem project bringing together 4 labs to explore how the brain combines domain-specific knowledge with domain-general cognitive abilities to shape human behavior.
Excited to share our science and to connect with other curious minds here!
November 12, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Just landed here 👋
We’re NeuroSPACE, a KU Leuven Methusalem project bringing together 4 labs to explore how the brain combines domain-specific knowledge with domain-general cognitive abilities to shape human behavior.
Excited to share our science and to connect with other curious minds here!
We’re NeuroSPACE, a KU Leuven Methusalem project bringing together 4 labs to explore how the brain combines domain-specific knowledge with domain-general cognitive abilities to shape human behavior.
Excited to share our science and to connect with other curious minds here!
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
If we’re talking about ‘generational investment’, Canada needs faculty positions for postdocs.
There have been virtually no cog psych/neuro jobs in the past three years.
There have been virtually no cog psych/neuro jobs in the past three years.
November 5, 2025 at 2:22 PM
If we’re talking about ‘generational investment’, Canada needs faculty positions for postdocs.
There have been virtually no cog psych/neuro jobs in the past three years.
There have been virtually no cog psych/neuro jobs in the past three years.
My heart cannot handle this ballgame
November 2, 2025 at 3:42 AM
My heart cannot handle this ballgame
Pretty much no one in Canada thought there would actually be a trade deal, and the general vibe is to just tune out whatever false hope is coming from the other side. But it's still crazy that a conservative message from a conservative US president is now too much for the US.
This is the Canada ad Trump lost his mind over. Shocker, he’s lying—it is Reagan’s real voice.
He’s now cutting off trade with Canada because he’s scared it could mess with the Supreme Court case over his “reciprocal” tariffs.
He’s now cutting off trade with Canada because he’s scared it could mess with the Supreme Court case over his “reciprocal” tariffs.
October 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Pretty much no one in Canada thought there would actually be a trade deal, and the general vibe is to just tune out whatever false hope is coming from the other side. But it's still crazy that a conservative message from a conservative US president is now too much for the US.
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
📣 New Paper Alert!
My PhD student Hannah Ovadia and I wrote a concise update on “The Role of the Default Mode Network (DMN) in Aesthetic Appeal” to synthesize evidence, highlight issues, and most importantly, consider theoretical alternatives.
Free access:
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lz-h8MqMi...
My PhD student Hannah Ovadia and I wrote a concise update on “The Role of the Default Mode Network (DMN) in Aesthetic Appeal” to synthesize evidence, highlight issues, and most importantly, consider theoretical alternatives.
Free access:
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lz-h8MqMi...
October 22, 2025 at 9:27 PM
📣 New Paper Alert!
My PhD student Hannah Ovadia and I wrote a concise update on “The Role of the Default Mode Network (DMN) in Aesthetic Appeal” to synthesize evidence, highlight issues, and most importantly, consider theoretical alternatives.
Free access:
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lz-h8MqMi...
My PhD student Hannah Ovadia and I wrote a concise update on “The Role of the Default Mode Network (DMN) in Aesthetic Appeal” to synthesize evidence, highlight issues, and most importantly, consider theoretical alternatives.
Free access:
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lz-h8MqMi...
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
At long last, the pre-print to our MEG study + RIFT study and the final paper from my Ph.D with @olejensen.bsky.social We show that strong pre-search alpha oscillations are associated with faster responses in visual search www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@thechbh.bsky.social #neuroskyence
@thechbh.bsky.social #neuroskyence
August 30, 2025 at 2:26 PM
At long last, the pre-print to our MEG study + RIFT study and the final paper from my Ph.D with @olejensen.bsky.social We show that strong pre-search alpha oscillations are associated with faster responses in visual search www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@thechbh.bsky.social #neuroskyence
@thechbh.bsky.social #neuroskyence
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
Manitoba is expanding its degree programs in Ojibwe and Cree. This is an example of the good that can happen when you elect a progressive, indigenous leader to run things.
October 21, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Manitoba is expanding its degree programs in Ojibwe and Cree. This is an example of the good that can happen when you elect a progressive, indigenous leader to run things.
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
A new paper from the lab, using 7T fMRI and MEG to shed light on how we read, specifically how the visual system encodes strings of letters and moves from retinotopic to ordinal neural codes.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
October 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM
A new paper from the lab, using 7T fMRI and MEG to shed light on how we read, specifically how the visual system encodes strings of letters and moves from retinotopic to ordinal neural codes.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
@dotproduct.bsky.social's first first author paper is finally out in @sfnjournals.bsky.social! Her findings show that content-specific predictions fluctuate with alpha frequencies, suggesting a more specific role for alpha oscillations than we may have thought. With @jhaarsma.bsky.social. 🧠🟦 🧠🤖
Contents of visual predictions oscillate at alpha frequencies
Predictions of future events have a major impact on how we process sensory signals. However, it remains unclear how the brain keeps predictions online in anticipation of future inputs. Here, we combin...
www.jneurosci.org
October 21, 2025 at 11:05 AM
@dotproduct.bsky.social's first first author paper is finally out in @sfnjournals.bsky.social! Her findings show that content-specific predictions fluctuate with alpha frequencies, suggesting a more specific role for alpha oscillations than we may have thought. With @jhaarsma.bsky.social. 🧠🟦 🧠🤖
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
My paper with @stellalourenco.bsky.social is now out in Science Advances!
We found that children have robust object recognition abilities that surpass many ANNs. Models only outperformed kids when their training far exceeded what a child could experience in their lifetime
doi.org/10.1126/scia...
We found that children have robust object recognition abilities that surpass many ANNs. Models only outperformed kids when their training far exceeded what a child could experience in their lifetime
doi.org/10.1126/scia...
Fast and robust visual object recognition in young children
The visual recognition abilities of preschool children rival those of state-of-the-art artificial intelligence models.
doi.org
July 2, 2025 at 7:38 PM
My paper with @stellalourenco.bsky.social is now out in Science Advances!
We found that children have robust object recognition abilities that surpass many ANNs. Models only outperformed kids when their training far exceeded what a child could experience in their lifetime
doi.org/10.1126/scia...
We found that children have robust object recognition abilities that surpass many ANNs. Models only outperformed kids when their training far exceeded what a child could experience in their lifetime
doi.org/10.1126/scia...
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
UofG crows showing our incoming new students the values of hard work, focus and perseverance
The University of Glasgow groundspeople are going to be quite annoyed when they come in to work tomorrow...
October 2, 2025 at 6:00 AM
UofG crows showing our incoming new students the values of hard work, focus and perseverance
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
Call for papers on conflict adaptation across single- and multi-tasking paradigms in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning Memory & Cognition
The deadline for initial submissions is 1 October 2026.
The deadline for initial submissions is 1 October 2026.
www.apa.org
September 24, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Call for papers on conflict adaptation across single- and multi-tasking paradigms in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning Memory & Cognition
The deadline for initial submissions is 1 October 2026.
The deadline for initial submissions is 1 October 2026.
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
Calling all PhD students & early career researchers! Boost your EEG skills in Nottingham, Dec 16–17. Hands-on training with ANT Neuro, Open Science Tools & @psychopy.org. Register: eventbrite.com/e/1692116779839
#Neurotechnology #BrainResearch #ScienceTraining
#Neurotechnology #BrainResearch #ScienceTraining
September 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Calling all PhD students & early career researchers! Boost your EEG skills in Nottingham, Dec 16–17. Hands-on training with ANT Neuro, Open Science Tools & @psychopy.org. Register: eventbrite.com/e/1692116779839
#Neurotechnology #BrainResearch #ScienceTraining
#Neurotechnology #BrainResearch #ScienceTraining
Excited to share a new article from @icevislab.bsky.social! In a sample of over 60 people, we found distinct neural differences underlying object and face recognition in dyslexia. These findings highlight crucial domain-general visual processes that may contribute to word reading challenges.
Distinct neural processing underlying visual face and object perception in dyslexia
Developmental dyslexia is a disorder marked by difficulties in reading, spelling, and connecting sounds to written language. The high-level visual dys…
www.sciencedirect.com
September 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Excited to share a new article from @icevislab.bsky.social! In a sample of over 60 people, we found distinct neural differences underlying object and face recognition in dyslexia. These findings highlight crucial domain-general visual processes that may contribute to word reading challenges.
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
It shouldn’t need saying, but these institutions are not going to stop capitulating to Trump until they have reason to fear the cost of doing so.
And that burden is on the public to impose.
Protest, boycott, strikes, mockery, whatever.
Make them feel it, or they won’t stop.
And that burden is on the public to impose.
Protest, boycott, strikes, mockery, whatever.
Make them feel it, or they won’t stop.
September 17, 2025 at 11:33 PM
It shouldn’t need saying, but these institutions are not going to stop capitulating to Trump until they have reason to fear the cost of doing so.
And that burden is on the public to impose.
Protest, boycott, strikes, mockery, whatever.
Make them feel it, or they won’t stop.
And that burden is on the public to impose.
Protest, boycott, strikes, mockery, whatever.
Make them feel it, or they won’t stop.
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
there is still beauty in the world
Cancel meetings, watching German forklift championships
September 19, 2025 at 7:49 PM
there is still beauty in the world
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
Common neural choice signals reflect accumulated evidence, not confidence! Now out in @cerebralcortex.bsky.social w @helenevanmarcke.bsky.social @pierreledenmat.bsky.social @yfvisser.bsky.social @denizerdil.bsky.social a.o.
Paper: desenderlab.com/wp-content/u... Thread ↓↓↓
Paper: desenderlab.com/wp-content/u... Thread ↓↓↓
September 19, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Common neural choice signals reflect accumulated evidence, not confidence! Now out in @cerebralcortex.bsky.social w @helenevanmarcke.bsky.social @pierreledenmat.bsky.social @yfvisser.bsky.social @denizerdil.bsky.social a.o.
Paper: desenderlab.com/wp-content/u... Thread ↓↓↓
Paper: desenderlab.com/wp-content/u... Thread ↓↓↓
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
Postdoctoral Position at McGill University, Montreal, Canada
The Attention & Social Cognition Lab at McGill University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to join our dynamic team under the direction of Professor Jelena Ristic.
Application deadline: Fall 2025 (or until filled)
The Attention & Social Cognition Lab at McGill University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to join our dynamic team under the direction of Professor Jelena Ristic.
Application deadline: Fall 2025 (or until filled)
ESCOP - Postdoctoral Position at McGill University, Montreal, Canada
ESCOP is a dynamic scientific society that provides a venue within which current research in cognitive psychology and neighboring disciplines can be presented, discussed and encouraged.
www.escop.eu
September 17, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Postdoctoral Position at McGill University, Montreal, Canada
The Attention & Social Cognition Lab at McGill University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to join our dynamic team under the direction of Professor Jelena Ristic.
Application deadline: Fall 2025 (or until filled)
The Attention & Social Cognition Lab at McGill University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to join our dynamic team under the direction of Professor Jelena Ristic.
Application deadline: Fall 2025 (or until filled)
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
Interested in #EEG #FPVS #FaceLearning?
*An Ecological and Objective Neural Marker of Implicit Learning of Unfamiliar Identities*
Preprint 👉 osf.io/preprints/ps...
@bfh-ch.bsky.social University of Malta @snsf.ch
*An Ecological and Objective Neural Marker of Implicit Learning of Unfamiliar Identities*
Preprint 👉 osf.io/preprints/ps...
@bfh-ch.bsky.social University of Malta @snsf.ch
September 4, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Interested in #EEG #FPVS #FaceLearning?
*An Ecological and Objective Neural Marker of Implicit Learning of Unfamiliar Identities*
Preprint 👉 osf.io/preprints/ps...
@bfh-ch.bsky.social University of Malta @snsf.ch
*An Ecological and Objective Neural Marker of Implicit Learning of Unfamiliar Identities*
Preprint 👉 osf.io/preprints/ps...
@bfh-ch.bsky.social University of Malta @snsf.ch
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
Let that number sink in.
This is how to do it when you’re fighting for the future of your democracy.
This is how to do it when you’re fighting for the future of your democracy.
August 30, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Let that number sink in.
This is how to do it when you’re fighting for the future of your democracy.
This is how to do it when you’re fighting for the future of your democracy.
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
Our target discussion article out in Cognitive Neuroscience! It will be followed by peer commentary and our responses. If you would like to write a commentary, please reach out to the journal! 1/18 www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... @cibaker.bsky.social @susanwardle.bsky.social
August 29, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Our target discussion article out in Cognitive Neuroscience! It will be followed by peer commentary and our responses. If you would like to write a commentary, please reach out to the journal! 1/18 www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... @cibaker.bsky.social @susanwardle.bsky.social
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
Exciting new preprint from the lab: “Adopting a human developmental visual diet yields robust, shape-based AI vision”. A most wonderful case where brain inspiration massively improved AI solutions.
Work with @zejinlu.bsky.social @sushrutthorat.bsky.social and Radek Cichy
arxiv.org/abs/2507.03168
Work with @zejinlu.bsky.social @sushrutthorat.bsky.social and Radek Cichy
arxiv.org/abs/2507.03168
arxiv.org
July 8, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Exciting new preprint from the lab: “Adopting a human developmental visual diet yields robust, shape-based AI vision”. A most wonderful case where brain inspiration massively improved AI solutions.
Work with @zejinlu.bsky.social @sushrutthorat.bsky.social and Radek Cichy
arxiv.org/abs/2507.03168
Work with @zejinlu.bsky.social @sushrutthorat.bsky.social and Radek Cichy
arxiv.org/abs/2507.03168
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
Postdoc (80%) in the Cognition Lab at University of Zurich, Switzerland
We are looking for a postdoc to work with us on the capacity limits of cognition (working memory, attention, long-term memory, ...).
Application deadline: 10 September 2025
We are looking for a postdoc to work with us on the capacity limits of cognition (working memory, attention, long-term memory, ...).
Application deadline: 10 September 2025
ESCOP - Postdoc (80%) in the Cognition Lab at University of Zurich, Switzerland
ESCOP is a dynamic scientific society that provides a venue within which current research in cognitive psychology and neighboring disciplines can be presented, discussed and encouraged.
www.escop.eu
August 7, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Postdoc (80%) in the Cognition Lab at University of Zurich, Switzerland
We are looking for a postdoc to work with us on the capacity limits of cognition (working memory, attention, long-term memory, ...).
Application deadline: 10 September 2025
We are looking for a postdoc to work with us on the capacity limits of cognition (working memory, attention, long-term memory, ...).
Application deadline: 10 September 2025
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
Our oscillations consensus paper is finally out as a preprint 🤩 thanks to everyone involved
arxiv.org/abs/2507.15639
arxiv.org/abs/2507.15639
July 22, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Our oscillations consensus paper is finally out as a preprint 🤩 thanks to everyone involved
arxiv.org/abs/2507.15639
arxiv.org/abs/2507.15639
Reposted by Brent Pitchford
Our conversation analysis software is now on CRAN! Reach out with any questions. We hope it’s useful for all you language and social interaction folks out there.
New CRAN package ConversationAlign with initial version 0.2.0
#rstats
https://cran.r-project.org/package=ConversationAlign
#rstats
https://cran.r-project.org/package=ConversationAlign
CRAN: Package ConversationAlign
Imports conversation transcripts into R, concatenates them into a single dataframe appending event identifiers, cleans and formats the text, then yokes user-specified psycholinguistic database values to each word. 'ConversationAlign' then computes alignment indices between two interlocutors across each transcript for >40 possible semantic, lexical, and affective dimensions. In addition to alignment, 'ConversationAlign' also produces a table of analytics (e.g., token count, type-token-ratio) in a summary table describing your particular text corpus.
cran.r-project.org
July 22, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Our conversation analysis software is now on CRAN! Reach out with any questions. We hope it’s useful for all you language and social interaction folks out there.