LAUREATE IN DISCOVERY CATEGORY
FOR HIS FUNDAMENTAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN EVERYDAY SCIENTIFIC AND CLINICAL PRACTICE FOR STUDYING HUMAN BRAIN ACTIVITY
NIKOS LOGOTHETIS
PhD in human neurobiology, Director of International Center for Primate Brain Research (ICPBR), Emeritus Director of Physiology of Cognitive Processes department at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics
Over 75,000 citations, h-index = 124
Specializes in fMRI, professor, neurobiologist and primatologistABOUT THE LAUREATE
The achievement lies in the field of brain diagnostics and the study of mechanisms that underlie the perception and consciousness. Research performed by the laureate has led to the development of a non-invasive method for studying brain activity with high spatial resolution. This method, known as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), allows for real-time analysis of brain activity. The findings are crucial for understanding the functioning of the brain and the nature of various neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Using advanced fMRI techniques, Nikos Logothetis explored the interactions between different brain areas. His study provided insights into how attention and perception influence cognitive functions. The results may pave the way for new methods for diagnosing and treating of neurological diseases like Alzheimer's disease and depression. Moreover, understanding how brain works could lead to new and more efficient educational programs and psychotherapies, and better human-machine interfaces. Ultimately, it will improve the quality of life and enhance interaction with technologies. This method is essential in cognitive neuroscience, zoopsychology, evolutionary neuroscience, and developmental neuroscience.
Dr. Logothetis is currently working to improve his method, using it in combination with other neuroscientific tools. He has pioneered the development and implementation of two high-field MRI systems that bring together functional, anatomical, and spectroscopic brain imaging. These systems enable simultaneous imaging and invasive recordings within cortical structures, opening new avenues for studying functions, relationships, and neurochemistry of the brain in primates.
He received the VYZOV Prize for his fundamental contribution to the development of functional magnetic resonance imaging and its implementation in everyday scientific and clinical practice for studying human brain activity.
Nikos Logothetis was born in 1950, studied at the University of Athens and the University of Thessaloniki. He received his Ph.D. in human neurobiology from the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, did research at the Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department of MIT, at the Baylor College of Medicine. He is currently Director of International Center for Primate Brain Research (Shanghai, China) and Emeritus Director of the department of Physiology of Cognitive Processes at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics (Tübingen, Germany). He is recipient of the Alden Spencer Award (2008), Zülch-Price for Neuroscience (2007), and Louis-Jeantet Prize of Medicine (2003).
