Objective My research examines how humans form new expectancies, or states of anticipation for future events, and how expectancy formation changes over the lifespan. Humans constantly anticipate upcoming events in order to understand those events, prepare actions, and adapt to changes. Although the neural and behavioral signatures of expectancies have been well-characterized, we do not know how they arise and how they change over the lifespan. I aim to reveal the following: 1) How new expectancies are formed during the course of learning novel information. 2) How expectancy formation differs between younger and older adults. 3) How the combination of regularities in event structure and sensorimotor integration, a phenomenon that has not been investigated, potentiates expectancy formation. 4) The role of interacting subcortical-cortical neural networks in expectancy formation. I will monitor the dynamic changes in electrophysiological brain responses, as well as overt anticipatory behaviour, over the course of learning in order to capture the changes of anticipatory responses online, and I will apply Bayesian neural network modelling to infer the neural and cognitive state changes underlying these response changes. I will also measure changes in subcortical-cortical networks that result from learning, including structural integrity, functional connectivity, and the ability to decode the learned information. This multi-methods approach will utilize my expertise in behavioural and MRI methods combined with my research group's expertise in EEG and computational modelling, as well as the state-of-the-art EEG, MRI, and laboratory facilities, on-site expertise, and support staff available at Maastricht University. This research is urgently needed so that we can finally understand the origin of expectancies, their consequences on the aging brain, and how we can enhance their formation to improve lifelong learning. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologycognitive neurosciencenatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencecomputational intelligence 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 Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2015 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator UNIVERSITEIT MAASTRICHT Net EU contribution € 165 598,80 Address MINDERBROEDERSBERG 4 6200 MD Maastricht Netherlands See on map Region Zuid-Nederland Limburg (NL) Zuid-Limburg Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 165 598,80