Project description
Understanding auditory perception challenges in young and old adults
Successfully understanding speech and communicating with others depends on synchronisation of brain rhythms to the rhythms of sounds. But this brain-environment synchronisation can fail, for example as our brains age. The resulting trouble communicating with others in noisy environments can lead to social isolation, depression, and dementia. The EU-funded BRAINSYNC project aims to explain the role of brain-environment synchrony in auditory-perception failures during real-world listening. The research will use behavioural and brain-imaging techniques to empirically measure properties of neural oscillators to predict the dependability of brain-environment synchrony on an individual-by-individual basis. The research uses non-invasive brain stimulation to attempt to improve brain-environment synchrony and thus benefit auditory perception.
Objective
Synchronization of brain rhythms to the rhythms of sounds is a foundational mechanism for auditory perception. However, we know very little about why brain–environment synchrony might fail, leading to auditory perception problems like impaired speech comprehension that negatively impact quality of life. The proposed research program fills this knowledge gap in three stages: 1) Predicting auditory perception, and individual differences thereof, from the fit between neural dynamics and environment; 2) Perturbing the relationship between brain and environment to experimentally test the limits of and protective factors for brain–environment synchronization; 3) Translating gained knowledge to understand age-related dysfunctions in brain–environment synchrony and auditory perception. Stage 1 uses behavioural and neural properties of neural oscillators – brain regions and networks that generate rhythmic neural activity – to predict individual differences in brain–environment synchronization. Stage 2 assesses when and why auditory perception fails, and how auditory perception might be insulated by good brain–environment fit and neural flexibility, by challenging the brain’s ability to adapt to auditory rhythms. Stage 2 has strong potential to provide insight into compensatory listening strategies that may be adopted when neural entrainment is effortful or impossible. Stage 3 places special emphasis on listening difficulties that develop with age, and tests the hypotheses that 1) speech comprehension difficulties stem from reduced neural entrainment in older age, and 2) reduced entrainment for older adults results from age-related changes to neural flexibility. Noninvasive brain stimulation will be used to temporarily remedy these deficits by improving brain–environment synchrony. The research program will account for much currently unexplained individual variance in auditory perception, and will inspire novel interventions to support auditory perception in advancing age.
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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2018-STG
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80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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