Objective
Monkey and human brains contain multiple retinotopic maps of visual space in occipital cortex, which are known to be modulated by attentional signals. There is also evidence that retinotopy might exist in temporal visual areas (e.g. MT/MST, ventral stream).
On the other hand, attentional control signals are thought to originate from more dorsal frontal and parietal areas. Although damage to parietal and frontal areas often results in spatially specific attentional deficits (e.g. contralateral neglect), it i s not clear whether these higher cortical areas also contain maps of visual space, and if so, how these different spatiotopic representations in different brain regions are related to each other.
Here I propose to investigate this question in humans using functional MRI in healthy volunteers and in neurological patients, together with TMS in healthy volunteers. To do this I will develop novel fMRI paradigms to uncover spatiotopic representations in areas of cortex beyond early visual regions, by crucial modifications to established retinotopic mapping paradigms e.g. by using complex biologically relevant stimuli.
Preliminary data has already been collected to ascertain the feasibility of this approach. I will then investigate how spatial attention modulates neural activity in these areas and whether any modulation follows similar principles to those seen in early visual cortex. To do this I will modify retinotopic mapping paradigms to permit attentional manipulations. Finally I will investigate any causal role for such spatiotopic higher-level areas in directing spatial attention and also their impact on remote but interconnected areas of visual cortex.
This will involve studying patients with focal cortical damage and disorders of attention (behaviourally and with fMRI) and by temporary, reversible disruption of the same areas in neurologically healthy individuals (using TMS and concurrent TMS and fMRI).
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.
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.
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
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.
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.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-5
See other projects for this call
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.
Coordinator
LONDON
United Kingdom
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.