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THALABLIND

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The contribution of thalamocortical projections to high cognitive functions (spe...
The contribution of thalamocortical projections to high cognitive functions (speech processing, working memory and attention) in sighted and unsighted populations 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... 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) ver más
31/08/2026
181K€
Duración del proyecto: 40 meses Fecha Inicio: 2023-04-17
Fecha Fin: 2026-08-31

Línea de financiación: concedida

El organismo HORIZON EUROPE notifico la concesión del proyecto el día 2023-04-17
Línea de financiación objetivo El proyecto se financió a través de la siguiente ayuda:
Presupuesto El presupuesto total del proyecto asciende a 181K€
Líder del proyecto
ASOC BCBL BASQUE CENTER ON COGNITION AND Investigación y desarrollo experimental en ciencias sociales y humanidades asociacion
Perfil tecnológico TRL 4-5