How the human brain combines the certainty of prior expectations and the clarity of sensory input during speech perception

Información del proyecto

EXPECTBRAIN

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 703635

DOI

10.3030/703635

Proyecto cerrado

Fecha de la firma de la CE 21 Marzo 2016

Fecha de inicio 1 Enero 2017

Fecha de finalización 17 Noviembre 2019

Financiado con arreglo a

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Coste total

€ 171 460,80

Aportación de la UE

€ 171 460,80

Coordinado por

UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM HAMBURG-EPPENDORF
Germany

Objetivo

A fundamental question in the study of human perception concerns how we combine new sensory information with prior knowledge. Different underlying neural mechanisms have been proposed for how perceptual priors are combined with sensory input depending on their respective certainty to generate a subjective experience. Predictive Coding models suggest that neuronal populations compare (bottom-up) input from the sensory organs against (top-down) predictions so that only the unexpected part of the input is processed. Alternative models (e.g. Sharpening) propose that perceptual representations of the expected sensory input are enhanced while unexpected sensory input is suppressed. The objective of this proposal is to close this controversial research gap by testing 1) how top-down and bottom-up influences on perception depend on their respective certainty, i.e. the confidence in prior predictions and the clarity of sensory evidence, and 2) whether and how this mechanism is related to inter-individual differences during perception. To achieve this I will test multiple neuroimaging techniques (fMRI and EEG) against computational simulations of the two models. I will use state-of-the-art brain-activity pattern analysis to decode brain responses to individual words during perception of degraded speech. The innovative approach of combined pattern-information analysis techniques will allow unprecedented access to decode how prior information changes the representation of sensory information. The results of this project will have important implications for several clinical areas, e.g. the treatment of hearing impairments and neuropsychiatric conditions that are accompanied by aberrant perceptual experiences such as autism or schizophrenia. By strengthening my portfolio of research skills, the proposed project represents the perfect lead-in phase to put me in the position to start my independent research group at the host organisation and ultimately obtain a permanent post.

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

• ciencias naturales › informática y ciencias de la información › inteligencia artificial › visión artificial › reconocimiento facial
• ingeniería y tecnología › ingeniería de materiales › sólidos amorfos
• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › neurobiología › neurociencia computacional
• ciencias médicas y de la salud › medicina clínica › psiquiatría › esquizofrenia

Programa(s)

• H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions PROGRAMA PRINCIPAL
  
• H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
  

Tema(s)

• MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)
  

Régimen de financiación

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

Convocatoria de propuestas

H2020-MSCA-IF-2015

Coordinador

UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM HAMBURG-EPPENDORF

• Aportación neta de la UEn: € 171 460,80
• Dirección: Martinistrasse 52 ; 20251 Hamburg ; Alemania
• Región: Hamburg › Hamburg › Hamburg
• Tipo de actividad: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Coste total: € 171 460,80