Objective
Information integration is critical for the brain to interact effectively with our multisensory environment. Defining the limits and prerequisites of information integration is fundamental for understanding the mechanisms of normal brain functioning and their disintegration in diseases such as neglect & vegetative state. A key question is to what extent multisensory integration (MSI) is automatic or dependent on higher cognitive resources.
This proposal combines psychophysics, neuroimaging and Bayesian models to unravel the neural and computational mechanisms of MSI and their dependency on higher cognitive resources in the healthy & diseased brain.
First, we manipulate attention and stimulus awareness to dissociate bottom-up automatic from ‘cognitively controlled’ MSI. We hypothesize that automatic MSI relies primarily on feed-forward thalamocortical mechanisms, while ‘controlled’ MSI involves more top-down effects from association areas. Combining concurrent TMS-fMRI & Dynamic Causal Modelling, we will investigate how the network dynamics and integration capacity is affected by perturbations to parietal cortex. This research is complemented with studies in neglect patients to develop a multisensory model and novel MS therapies for neglect.
Second, combined fMRI/EEG studies will investigate how sensory inputs are integrated at reduced vigilance during sleep. We hypothesize that MSI is partly preserved in sleep via thalamocortical mechanisms. These paradigms are applied to patients in vegetative state to identify residual MSI functions and develop neural MSI signatures as predictors of recovery.
This research characterizes the neural and computational mechanisms of the multifaceted interplay of MSI with attention, awareness & vigilance. It significantly advances our understanding of information integration & segregation in the brain and has important implications for clinical diagnosis and rehabilitation of patients with neglect & vegetative state.
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.
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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.
ERC-2012-StG_20111109
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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.
Host institution
B15 2TT Birmingham
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.