Project description
How the brain adapts to extra limbs
Integrating artificial body parts could enhance motor abilities, but can the brain form a multisensory representation of an extra limb alongside the natural body? Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BodyPlus project will investigate whether the brain can incorporate a robotic extra thumb (the ‘Third Thumb’) into body representation. It will compare participants’ behaviour and brain activity before and after a four-day training period controlling the Third Thumb. The project aims to deepen understanding of how the brain adapts to new body parts, guiding the design of enhanced prosthetics and wearable devices.
Objective
Adding an artificial body part could expand our motor abilities. But can our brain develop an integrated multisensory representation of an extra limb in addition to our own body? In BodyPlus, we will explore whether the brain can extend our body representation to incorporate an additional robotic thumb, known as the Third Thumb. We will compare participants’ behaviour and brain responses before and after a 4-day training period where they learn to control the Third Thumb. In Work Package 1 (WP1), we will use two behavioural paradigms to determine whether participants develop novel sensorimotor links through training. Specifically, we will examine whether participants learn to integrate touch location with posture, and sensory information with movement predictions. We will use computational modelling to identify behavioural biases indicative of optimal Bayesian integration. In WP2, we will scan participants using fMRI as they control the Third Thumb. We will compare conditions where the Thumb’s movement matches or doesn’t match the movements participants learned during training, allowing us to identify brain regions that integrate Third Thumb movement with sensory predictions. Furthermore, we will use brain decoding to determine if the newly acquired representation of the Third Thumb compares with the representation of participants' own right thumb, or of a familiar tool. In WP3, we will examine how participants behaviour changes when we remove key sensory inputs, which were available during motor training, or modify the expected movement of the Third Thumb. This will allow us to determine the resilience and generalisability of the newly formed Third Thumb representation. Overall, BodyPlus will identify the key components that the brain uses to develop a new body representation. This knowledge will guide us to design additional body parts that can seamlessly integrate with our movements and provide new ways to interact with the world.
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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-2024-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.
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom
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.