Project description
Deciphering how the brain responds to sudden threats
Surviving in natural environments requires sensing sudden events and swiftly adapt behaviour accordingly. How does the brain cope with transient events (e.g. threats) close to our body? Studies on peripersonal space highlight the link between somatosensory and visual processes related to the space immediately around the body. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the RAB-PPS project will systematically investigate for the first time how transient, sudden stimuli affect reactive adaptive behaviour. The proposed experimental set-up will resemble real-life (ecological) environments. For their study, researchers will combine various techniques such as high-density electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings, behavioural techniques (e.g. psychophysics), electromyography, eye- and motion-capture on both primate and non-human primates.
Objective
Our perception of the surrounding world is intrinsically related to the motor system. In any natural environment, animals become adept at sensing sudden (transient) events and adapt their behaviour accordingly, in order to survive. We are often exposed to sudden sensory stimuli, which, irrespectively of their sensory modality, evoke a series of fast modulations of muscular activity, named Cortico-Muscular Resonance (CMR). This type of “Reactive Adaptive Behaviour” (RAB) may be strictly connected to the distance between us and the surrounding sensory stimuli. How does the brain cope with transient events (e.g. threats) in close proximity of our body? The notion of Peripersonal Space (PPS) has been introduced 40 years ago to highlight the link between somatosensory and visual processes related to the space immediately around the body. Whatever can be seen or touched in close proximity to our body inevitably affects our behavioural responses in terms of reflexes or voluntary actions. This proposal aims, for the first time, to systematically explore how reactive adaptive behaviour (i.e. CMR) is affected and modulated by transient, sudden stimuli (or events) within the PPS. The proposed experimental set-up will have the advantage to resemble real-life (ecological) environments. Here we have also the unique chance to use a combination of techniques such as high-density EEG recordings (hd-EEG), behavioural techniques (i.e. psychophysics), electromyography (EMG), eye- and motion-capture on both primate and non-human primates. Moreover, we will have the rare opportunity to perform intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) in non-human primates, by recording from brain cortical structures which are fundamental in planning and organizing movements (e.g. premotor areas).
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
16163 GENOVA
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.