Objectif One of the most striking demonstrations of experience-dependent neuroplasticity comes from studies of deaf individuals in whom the temporal ‘auditory’ cortex changes its functional tuning to support visual or tactile functions. Age-of-onset and duration of deafness is thought to affect the extent of cross-modal plasticity (CP) in auditory cortex, with earlier onset and longer durations being associated with increased CP. Importantly, previous studies have suggested that the presence of such CP may negatively influence clinical outcomes of cochlear implantation. This has notably resulted in clinicians discouraging parents from teaching sign-language to deaf children for fear that the use of a visual language will promote CP and interfere with the development of auditory abilities, including spoken language, after cochlear implantation. However, recent models have proposed that CP may exert pressure on regions to maintain their cognitive function irrespective of the type of sensory input, and that such maintenance of functional units (e.g. for language) might be positively harnessed in cases of sensory restoration. This is supported by recent research that suggests maintained functional modularity of the visual cortex may be beneficial to the outcome of sight restoration in blind subjects – a finding that will have important implications on the development of guidelines for sight restoration when a technique becomes available. Ironically, the situation is reversed in the deaf, in which guidelines for a widely used technique is based upon limited understanding of the potential benefits of CP and its influence on functional modularity. It is therefore crucial to obtain a more complete picture as to how age-of-onset and duration may affect CP and functional modularity. This project aims to bridge this gap, and specifically seeks to test whether earlier and longer durations of deafness positively correlate with CP and functional modularity in auditory cortex of the deaf. Champ scientifique natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologycognitive neurosciencehumanitieslanguages and literaturelinguisticssign languagemedical and health sciencesclinical medicinesurgery Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Thème(s) MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Appel à propositions H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel Coordinateur THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM Contribution nette de l'UE € 142 719,45 Adresse University Park NG7 2RD Nottingham Royaume-Uni Voir sur la carte Région East Midlands (England) Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Nottingham Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 142 719,47 Participants (1) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution nette de l'UE Tout développer Tout réduire UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TRENTO Participation terminée Italie Contribution nette de l'UE € 37 557,75 Adresse VIA CALEPINA 14 38122 Trento Voir sur la carte Région Nord-Est Provincia Autonoma di Trento Trento Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 37 557,75