Frontiers in Neuroinformatics (Jun 2014)

Interdisciplinary perspectives on the development, integration and application of cognitive ontologies

  • Janna eHastings,
  • Janna eHastings,
  • Gwen Alexandra Frishkoff,
  • Barry eSmith,
  • Mark eJensen,
  • Russell A Poldrack,
  • Jane eLomax,
  • Anita eBandrowski,
  • Fahim T. Imam,
  • Jessica A Turner,
  • Jessica A Turner,
  • Maryann E Martone

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fninf.2014.00062
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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We discuss recent progress in the development of cognitive ontologies and summarize three challenges in the coordinated development and application of these resources. Challenge 1 is to adopt a standardized definition for cognitive processes. We describe three possibilities and recommend one that is consistent with the standard view in cognitive and biomedical sciences. Challenge 2 is harmonization. Gaps and conflicts in representation must be resolved so that these resources can be combined for mark-up and interpretation of multi-modal data. Finally, Challenge 3 is to test the utility of these resources for large-scale annotation of data, search and query, and knowledge discovery and integration. As term definitions are tested and revised, harmonization should enable coordinated updates across ontologies. However, the true test of these definitions will be in their community-wide adoption which will test whether they support valid inferences about psychological and neuroscientific data.

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