Objective
Humans represent numbers on a left to right oriented mental number line, with small numbers located on the left and large ones on the right space. It has been suggested that the left-to-right orientation of the mental number line emerges as a result of exposure to formal instruction. Recent evidence has shown that pre-verbal infants and non-human animals associate numbers with space; suggesting that the spatial numerical association (SNA) originates from pre-linguistic and biologically determined precursors.
Numerical knowledge constitutes a domain-specific cognitive ability, with a dedicated neural substrate located in the parietal cortices. The challenge at present is to explain how this neural substrate can determine a left-to-right orientation of the SNA, which is the main aim of this project.
Here I will study the neural correlates of SNA from a comparative perspective, using domestic chicks and rhesus monkeys as animal models. Both species master numerical skills and have been used to understand the neural basis of cognitive processes. I will use paradigms which allow to test the presence of any facilitation to respond to small numbers on the left space and to large numbers on the right space. The neural correlates of SNA will be studied in monkeys employing a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), to understand whether neural perturbation could affect SNA, and in chicks using non-invasive techniques -e.g. monocular occlusion- to disentangle the engagement of each hemisphere in SNA.
Overall this project will help in determining the neural basis of SNA. A better understanding of neural representation of numbers will permit optimized designs of clinical applications to enhance numerical comprehension. This might provide a valuable intervention for infants with potential problems in mathematical comprehension, as occurs in Williams syndrome or dyscalculia.
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.
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF-GF - Global Fellowships
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
35122 Padova
Italy
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.