Objective
The human brain enables efficient interpersonal communication. The remarkable ability to speak and to understand speech sounds produced by others is important for hearing people. It is possible to understand speech and improve perception of auditory speech also by viewing a speakers articulatory gestures, i.e. by speechreading. This is a particularly useful skill for deaf people.
Furthermore, deaf people communicate fluently by hand gestures, i.e. by using sign language. How the human brain is functionally organized to process efficiently communicative signals is one of the fundamental questions of cognitive neuroscience. Here, we aim to disclose the neural basis of perceiving heard and seen speech and signs in hearing and deaf people.
Previous neuroimaging studies have shown that a left-lateralized fronto-temporal network including posterior superior temporal (pST), inferior frontal (IF) and the primary motor (M1) cortices is activated during processing of communicative signals. However, whether these brain regions are necessary for speech and sign language perception has remained open. We will first localize the brain regions activated by communicative signals in individual subjects by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Then, in order to determine the roles of pST, IF and M1 cortex in processing heard and seen speech and sign language, we will use repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to create temporary lesions of individually-localized foci in these regions during performance of behavioural tasks. As rTMS induces noise into neural processes, subjects performance will be disrupted by rTMS to brain regions, which are necessary for the behavioural task.
Thus, by using this method, we will be able to determine whether the pST, IF and M 1 cortices are necessary for speech and sign language perception in hearing and deaf people. The findings will substantially extend our knowledge about the neural basis of interpersonal communication.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology cognitive neuroscience
- humanities languages and literature linguistics sign language
- engineering and technology medical engineering diagnostic imaging magnetic resonance imaging
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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.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
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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.
Coordinator
OXFORD
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.