Objective For the past 30 years, the use of neuroimaging in cognitive neuroscience has challenged the traditional modular view of the human brain and has highlighted the necessity for cross-domain research. Seemingly unrelated cognitive functions such as speech and music perception are being viewed under a new prism. Currently there are strong theoretical accounts that assume common ground between the music and the language faculties of the human brain. The gap, however, lies into defining which aspects of speech and music processing are shared and which are domain-specific. Rhythm perception has been highlighted as a shared mechanism for both music and speech processing, as it relies on the same acoustic features (e.g. waveform periodicity, amplitude envelope), and it takes place in anatomically overlapping brain structures. Previous research has remarked the supplementary motor area (SMA) as a crucial brain region involved in the temporal processing of speech, included in the “extended network” for beat perception in regular rhythms. This project proposes to investigate whether musical rhythm expertise affects the processing of rhythm in speech comprehension. To this end, the effects of musical rhythm expertise on speech rhythm perception will be quantified by comparing behavioral and brain responses of musicians with non-musicians. In specific, cortical oscillations will be measured with electroencephalography (EEG) and pre-SMA engagement will be measured with functional neuroimaging (fMRI) while the participants will be listening to speech. Additionally, this project will employ transcranial brain stimulation (TMS) to disrupt pre-SMA involvement in rhythm perception in order to examine whether this region is really necessary when processing speech rhythm. The results of the proposed project can develop theoretical accounts of rhythm perception and inspire experts to use targeted rhythm-based therapies to treat stroke-induced or developmental language deficiencies. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologycognitive neuroscience 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-2017 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2017 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
