Project description
Insight into motor cortical activity
Daily human tasks involve complex actions that require the integration of sensory information, muscle coordination, and movement evaluation. Current evidence shows that human sensorimotor behaviour is associated with changes in the oscillatory activity of the brain and, in particular, beta oscillations. The EU-funded MOBETA project aims to challenge the existing theories about motor-related beta activity. Researchers will employ different methodologies to study how the brain controls motor activity in different organisms and at discrete stages during development. Results are expected to provide novel insights into the role of motor-related beta activity, with important ramifications for the treatment of pathophysiological disorders.
Objective
Each of us performs thousands of actions during the course of daily tasks, ranging from relatively simple (e.g. clicking on a mouse button), to highly complex (e.g. holding a sheet of paper in one hand while using scissors to cut it in a straight line with the other). All of these actions involve an intricate interplay between sensory integration, muscle coordination, and movement evaluation processes. Motor cortical activity in the beta frequency range (13-30Hz) is a hallmark signature of healthy and pathological movement, but its behavioral relevance remains unclear. Recently, it has become apparent that oscillatory beta activity actually occurs in discrete, transient bursts, and that short-lasting, high-powered bursts of activity only appear to be sustained oscillations when averaged over multiple trials. This renders previous theories of beta activity’s functional relevance, which involve slow changes of oscillatory power, untenable. However, this insight provides an exciting opportunity to examine beta activity on a trial-by-trial basis and directly relate it to forthcoming and ongoing motor behavior. Here, I propose a new theory for understanding motor-related beta activity that has the potential to overturn current thinking of the motor role of beta. The proposed project will build upon my recent research and use a multi-modal (electrophysiological recordings, non-invasive neuroimaging, and computational modeling), multi-scale (from cortical columns to multi-region networks), comparative (monkey and human), and developmental (longitudinal measures of human infants) approach to develop and test this theory. Not only will results from this project substantially extend our knowledge on the role of motor-related beta activity, they will have important implications for personalized, online treatments for pathophysiological disorders characterized by aberrant beta signaling.
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)
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.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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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) ERC-2019-COG
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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.
75794 PARIS
France
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.