MATTHEW EULER, PH.D.
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ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY,
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Research Interests
Our lab conducts research at the intersection of clinical neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience, and focuses heavily on EEG methods. Studies typically address one of two related lines of research:
- The first line of studies examine how correlations between brain activity and cognitive ability vary as a function of different task characteristics. We hope that by studying the relations between brain activity and cognitive functioning in general, we can identify principles that will inform eventual EEG applications in assessment and treatment of cognitive disorders. Another long-term goal of this work is to help refine conceptions of cognitive ability itself and its relation to everyday task performance:
- The second line of research is focused on testing specific EEG markers for potential medium and long-term applications in neuropsychological assessment. Published examples include studies examining EEG correlates of executive functioning, and broader neuropsychological performance. Ongoing studies and several under review are looking at various EEG markers, including the EEG aperiodic slope, mid-frontal theta power, and the N400 event-related potential, as well behavioral measures obtained via smart-phone based ecological momentary assessment. We also recently concluded a grant from the National Institute on Aging, aiming to identify EEG markers that may differentiate healthy older adults from those with Mild Cognitive Impairment or early Alzheimer’s disease.
Most studies in the lab combine standardized cognitive assessments (as typically applied in neuropsychological assessment) with experimental tasks and ERP or time-frequency analysis of task-related and spontaneous EEG data.
Current populations of interest include community-dwelling older and younger adults,
and individuals who have been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment or early Alzheimer’s
disease. Over time we hope to expand our research to include additional neuropsychiatric
groups.
Opportunities for Students
Dr. Euler will be reviewing applications for the class entering Fall 2024.
We recognize that applying to graduate school is stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. To help improve that process for everyone, prospective applicants are encouraged to please carefully consider the information below:
- The ideal candidate will have prior experience with BOTH EEG and neuropsychological assessment/test administration.
- Strong applicants will be able to clearly express their understanding of and fit with the types of studies conducted in the lab.
- Experience with patient populations or in other clinical settings is also valued (e.g., psychiatric technician, crisis-line worker, behavioral technician).
- Candidates lacking experience in either electrophysiology/EEG or neuropsychological testing are unlikely to be competitive.
- In your personal statement, please address why you feel our program and lab are a strong fit for you given your experience in the above areas and your long-term interests.
Education
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin (Adult Clinical Neuropsychology,
2010-2012)
Ph.D., University of New Mexico (Psychology, 2010)
M.S., University of New Mexico (Psychology, 2007)
B.A., New Mexico State University (Psychology & Philosophy, 2003)
Selected Publications
Hilger, K., & Euler, M.J., (2023). Intelligence and visual mismatch negativity: Is pre-attentive visual discrimination related to general cognitive ability? Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_01946
Pathania, A., Euler, M.J., Clark, M., Duff, K, & Lohse, K.R. (2022). Resting EEG spectral slopes are associated with age-related differences in information processing speed. Biological Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108261
Euler, M. J., & Schubert, A. L. (2021). Recent developments, current challenges, and future directions in electrophysiological approaches to studying intelligence. Intelligence, 88, 101569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2021.101569
Pathania, A., Schreiber, M., Miller, M., Euler, M.J., & Lohse, K.R. (2021). Exploring the reliability and sensitivity of the EEG power spectrum as a biomarker. International Journal of Psychophysiology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2020.12.002
McKinney, T.L., Euler, M.J., & Butner, J.E. (2019). It’s about time: The role of temporal variability in improving assessment of executive functioning. The Clinical Neuropsychologist.
McKinney, T.L., & Euler, M.J. (2019). Neural anticipatory mechanisms predict faster reaction times and higher fluid intelligence. Psychophysiology. 2019;00:e13426.
Euler, M.J. (2018). Intelligence and uncertainty: Implications of hierarchical predictive processing for the neuroscience of cognitive ability. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 94, 93-112. Download
Euler, M.J., McKinney, T.L., Schryver, H.M., &, Okabe, H. (2017). ERP Correlates of the Decision Time-IQ Relationship: The Role of Complexity in Task- and Brain-IQ Effects. Intelligence, 65, 1-10. Download
Euler, M. J., Niermeyer, M. A., & Suchy, Y. (2016). Neurocognitive and neurophysiological correlates of motor planning during familiar and novel contexts. Neuropsychology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/neu0000219 Download
Euler, M. J., Wiltshire, T., Niermeyer, M. A., & Butner, J. E. (2016). Working Memory Performance Inversely Predicts Spontaneous Delta and Theta-band Scaling Relations. Brain Research, 1637, 22-33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2016.02.008 Download
MY CURRENT GRADUATE STUDENTS
Tuan Cassim (co-advised w/ Dr. Williams)
Allie Geiger
Jasmin Guevara
Julia Vehar