Objective One of the most striking demonstrations of experience-dependent plasticity comes from studies of blind individuals showing that the occipital cortex (traditionally considered as purely visual) massively changes its functional tuning to support the processing of non-visual inputs. These mechanisms of crossmodal plasticity, classically considered compensatory, inevitably raise crucial challenges for sight-restoration. The neglected relation between crossmodal plasticity and sight-recovery will represent the testing ground of MADVIS in order to gain important novel insights on how specific brain regions become, stay and change their functional tuning toward the processing of specific stimuli. The main goal of MADVIS is therefore to make a breakthrough on two fronts: (1) understanding how visual deprivation at different sensitive periods in development affects the functional organization and connectivity of the occipital cortex; and (2) use the fundamental knowledge derived from (1) to test and predict the outcome of sight restoration. Using a pioneering interdisciplinary approach that crosses the boundaries between cognitive neurosciences and ophthalmology, MADVIS will have a large impact on our understanding of how experience at different sensitive periods shapes the response properties of specific brain regions. Finally, in its attempt to fill the existing gap between crossmodal reorganization and sight restoration, MADVIS will eventually pave the way for a new generation of predictive surveys prior to sensory restoration. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologycognitive neurosciencemedical and health sciencesclinical medicineophthalmology Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-SH4 - ERC Starting Grant - The Human Mind and its complexity Call for proposal ERC-2013-StG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Coordinator UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN Address Place de l universite 1 1348 Louvain la neuve Belgium See on map Region Région wallonne Prov. Brabant Wallon Arr. Nivelles Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Olivier Marie-Claire Michel Ghislain Collignon (Dr.) Administrative Contact Anne Bovy (Mrs.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN Belgium EU contribution € 571 697,47 Address Place de l universite 1 1348 Louvain la neuve See on map Region Région wallonne Prov. Brabant Wallon Arr. Nivelles Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Olivier Marie-Claire Michel Ghislain Collignon (Dr.) Administrative Contact Anne Bovy (Mrs.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TRENTO Italy EU contribution € 917 289,53 Address Via calepina 14 38122 Trento See on map Region Nord-Est Provincia Autonoma di Trento Trento Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Vanessa Ravagni (Mrs.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data
