Project description
Thalamocortical projections’ role in high cognitive functions
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, has facilitated our comprehension of cortical regions associated with cognitive functions. Thalamocortical pathways remain less understood due to the absence of detailed probabilistic atlases for the human thalamus and the small size of thalamic nuclei. The host group of the MSCA-funded THALABLIND project has pioneered the creation of the inaugural atlas, thereby paving the way for further exploration into the correlation between thalamocortical connections and speech processing, working memory and attentional abilities. The project seeks to investigate the role of thalamocortical projections in high cognitive functions among both sighted and unsighted populations. The study will evaluate whether these projections contribute differently to these functions in sighted and unsighted individuals, examining the heightened auditory processing and superior cognitive skills observed in blind individuals.
Objective
The proposed project aims to investigate the contribution of thalamocortical projections to high cognitive functions such as speech
processing, working memory and attention in sighted and unsighted populations. In the last decades, advances made in magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) have shed light on the cortical regions subserving these processes. However, less research has investigated
the role of thalamocortical pathways in these high cognitive functions. This could be due to the lack of detailed probabilistic atlases of
the human thalamus or the small size of the thalamic nuclei as compared to regular voxel sizes. Therefore, the recent creation of the
first probabilistic atlas of the human thalamus (developed by the host group), opens the door to investigate to what extent
thalamocortical connections relate to speech processing, working memory and attentional abilities. We will further investigate
whether the involvement of thalamocortical projections in the abovementioned functions differ between sighted and unsighted
individuals, since research conducted in blind population has reported enhanced auditory processing at the thalamic level, altered
thalamocortical connectivity and superior skills in the previous cognitive functions. To address these scientific questions, we will use a
multimodal MRI approach that combines functional and structural MRI indexes with behavioral measures. Using regression models,
we will assess the degree to which thalamocortical connections help to further explain speech processing, working memory and
attentional abilities as opposed to just considering cortical indexes, as it was done in the past. The results of the present research
project may have important implications as they could open a new avenue at the theoretical level (updating pre-existing models on
cognitive neuroscience and creating new ones) and regarding their application (improving the diagnosis and treatment in cases of
aphasia, dementia or attentional deficits)
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology neurodegenerative diseases dementia
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European 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) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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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.
20009 San Sebastian
Spain
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.