Objectif Neural oscillations, rhythmic fluctuations in the excitability of neuronal populations, align their phase to the rhythm of speech and this mechanism, called phase entrainment, has been associated with successful perception of connected speech. However, a causal role of phase entrainment for speech comprehension has not yet been shown which leaves the underlying mechanisms unclear, and fails to specify the relevance of neural oscillations for hearing or language impaired individuals. In the proposed research, we will use a novel brain stimulation technique, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to selectively alter neural oscillations. By manipulating neural phase entrainment to speech with tACS we can, for the first time, provide decisive evidence concerning whether phase entrainment and speech comprehension are causally linked: If a modulation of phase entrainment leads to changes in speech perception and comprehension we can conclude that the former causally influences the latter. In a preliminary experiment, combining tACS with functional magnetic imaging (fMRI), we will determine the optimal tACS electrode montage to modulate neural activity in speech-specific brain regions (in the superior temporal gyrus). Using this setup in a behavioural task, tACS can be applied at different phase-lags in relation to rhythmic speech sequences. Critically, we expect perception of these stimuli to depend on the phase relation between tACS and speech rhythm, as a consequence of the manipulation of phase entrainment by tACS. Our study will thus provide important and novel evidence for a causal role of phase entrainment for speech perception and comprehension. In turn this might suggest new methods for enhancing speech perception in populations with hearing or language impairment. Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Thème(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Appel à propositions H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinateur THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Contribution nette de l'UE € 195 454,80 Adresse TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge Royaume-Uni Voir sur la carte Région East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 195 454,80 Participants (1) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution nette de l'UE Tout développer Tout réduire UNITED KINGDOM RESEARCH AND INNOVATION Participation terminée Royaume-Uni Contribution nette de l'UE € 0,00 Adresse POLARIS HOUSE NORTH STAR AVENUE SN2 1FL Swindon Voir sur la carte Région South West (England) Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area Swindon Type d’activité Research Organisations Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total Aucune donnée