MATTHEW EULER, PH.D.

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:

1. 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:
   • ERP correlates of the decision time-IQ relationship
   • Relation of neural anticipatory mechanisms to fluid intelligence,
   • Intelligence and Visual Mismatch Negativity,
   • Electrophysiological approaches to studying intelligence
   • Intelligence and uncertainty
2. 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.

• • Neurocognitive and neurophysiological correlates of motor planning
  • Reliability and sensitivity of the EEG power spectrum as a biomarker
  • Resting EEG spectral slopes relate to age differences in information processing speed
  • EMA and temporal variability in assessing executive functioning

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 Fall 2025 admissions cycle (entering class of Fall 2026).

We recognize that applying to graduate school is a challenging and uncertain process. To help make that process more transparent and constructive, prospective applicants are encouraged to carefully review the information below:

Competitive applications typically demonstrate many of the following:

• Significant prior experience in neuropsychology, cognitive assessment, or cognitive neuroscience
• Often through undergraduate honors theses, poster presentations, post-baccalaureate research, or authorship on peer-reviewed manuscripts
• Direct experience with clinical populations, such as work as a psychometrist, psychiatric technician, crisis-line worker, or behavioral technician
• Strong academic record, excellent letters of recommendation, strong work ethic, and a passion for science
• Familiarity with EEG or neuroimaging data processing, behavioral task design, basic programming or data analysis, and/or coursework in philosophy
  
  

Applications with limited experience in these areas are unlikely to be competitive.

In your personal statement, please describe how your training thus far aligns with our lab and why this program is a strong fit for your long-term goals.

Note: Our lab’s research focus is currently expanding. We anticipate incorporating new directions with additional measures in the coming years (e.g., pupillometry, eye-tracking, motor sensing, and collaborations with MRI researchers). More information will be available on this site later this summer.

 

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

Caroline Armknecht (co-advised w/Dr. Payne)
Zanooz Cassim (co-advised w/ Dr. Williams)
Jasmin Guevara
Julia Vehar