A5039300889- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
- Motor Control and Adaptation
- Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Muscle activation and electromyography studies
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
- Action Observation and Synchronization
- EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
- Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
- Media Influence and Health
- Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
- Space Satellite Systems and Control
- Cultural Differences and Values
- Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Visual perception and processing mechanisms
- Medical Imaging Techniques and Applications
- Pain Management and Treatment
- Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques
- Cell Image Analysis Techniques
University of Vienna
2021-2024
University of Bologna
2016-2024
TU Dortmund University
2024
Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors
2024
University of Essex
2016-2022
Fondazione Santa Lucia
2017-2020
Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico
2017-2020
Catholic University of the Maule
2020
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) methods such as cortico-cortical paired associative (ccPAS) can increase the strength of functional connectivity between ventral premotor cortex (PMv) and primary motor (M1) via spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), leading to enhanced functions in young adults. However, whether this STDP-inducing protocol is effective aging brain remains unclear. In two groups elderly healthy adults, we evaluated manual dexterity with 9-hole peg task before after...
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies have shown that cortico-cortical paired associative (ccPAS) can strengthen connectivity between the ventral premotor cortex (PMv) and primary motor (M1) by modulating convergent input over M1 via Hebbian spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP). However, whether ccPAS locally affects activity remains unclear. We tested 60 right-handed young healthy humans in two studies, using a combination of dual coil TMS left PMv to probe manipulate...
Aging is commonly associated with a decline in motor control and neural plasticity. Tuning cortico–cortical interactions between premotor areas essential for controlling fine manual movements. However, whether plasticity premotor–motor circuits predicts hand abilities young elderly humans remains unclear. Here, we administered transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the ventral cortex (PMv) primary (M1) using paired-associative (ccPAS) protocol to manipulate strength of PMv-to-M1...
Making sense of others' actions relies on the activation an action observation network (AON), which maps visual information about observed onto observer's motor system. This resonance process manifests in primary cortex (M1) as increased corticospinal excitability finely tuned to muscles engaged action. Motor M1 is facilitated by projections from higher-order AON regions. However, whether manipulating strength AON-to-M1 connectivity affects remains unclear.
The primary motor cortex (M1) is highly influenced by premotor/motor areas both within and across hemispheres. Dual site transcranial magnetic stimulation (dsTMS) has revealed interhemispheric interactions mainly at early latencies. Here, we used dsTMS to systematically investigate long-latency causal between right-hemisphere the left M1 (lM1). We stimulated lM1 using a suprathreshold test stimulus (TS) elicit motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in right hand. Either or subthreshold conditioning...
Abstract Rewards are a broad category of stimuli inducing approach behavior to aid survival. Extensive evidence from animal research has shown that wanting (the motivation pursue reward) and liking pleasure associated with its consumption) mostly regulated by dopaminergic opioidergic activity in dedicated brain areas. However, less is known about the neuroanatomy regulation reward processing humans, especially when considering different types rewards (i.e., social nonsocial). To fill this...
Atypical anticipation of social reward has been shown to lie at the core challenges faced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, previous research yielded inconsistent results and often overlooked crucial characteristics stimuli. Here, we investigated ASD processing using nonsocial tangible stimuli, carefully matched on several key dimensions.
Abstract The primary motor cortex (M1) is strongly influenced by several frontal regions. Dual-site transcranial magnetic stimulation (dsTMS) has highlighted the timing of early (<40 ms) prefrontal/premotor influences over M1. Here we used dsTMS to investigate, for first time, longer-latency causal interactions posterior inferior gyrus (pIFG) and pre-supplementary area (pre-SMA) with M1 at rest. A suprathreshold test stimulus (TS) was applied producing a motor-evoked potential (MEP) in...
Abstract Cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) is an effective transcranial magnetic (TMS) method for inducing plasticity between interconnected brain areas in humans. Prior ccPAS studies have focused on protocol’s aftereffects. Here, we investigated physiological changes induced “online” during administration. We tested 109 participants receiving over left ventral premotor cortex (PMv) and primary motor (M1) using a standard procedure (90 paired-pulses with 8-ms...
Despite being bio-epidemiological phenomena, the causes and effects of pandemics are culturally influenced in ways that go beyond national boundaries. However, they often studied isolated pockets, this fact makes it difficult to parse unique influence specific cultural psychologies. To help fill gap, present study applies existing theories via linear mixed modeling test factors a multi-national sample (that moves Western nations) on age, biological sex, political beliefs pandemic outcomes...
In most European countries, the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic (spring 2020) led to imposition physical distancing rules, resulting in a drastic and sudden reduction real-life social interactions. Even people not directly affected by virus itself were impacted their and/or mental health, as well financial security, governmental lockdown measures. We investigated whether combination these events had changed people's appraisal scenes testing 241 participants recruited mainly Italy, Austria,...
Understanding the neural basis of reward processing is a major concern, as it holds key to alleviating symptoms addiction and poor mental health. However, this goal seems difficult attain long research on cannot easily be compared across species types, due methodological differences presence confounding factors. We recently developed an experimental paradigm that allows monitoring anticipatory consummatory responses matched social (touch) nonsocial (food) rewards in adult humans. The...
Motivation: In concurrent MRI-brain-stimulation studies various coil setups are used which show either limited access or spatial signal coverage. Goal(s): Our goal is to come up with an optimized setup and data processing strategy that allow for open the head while maintaining whole brain imaging capabilities. Approach: Three commonly (head array, wrapped body TMS surface coil) where homogenization as well multi-echo fMRI postprocessing strategies were applied. Results: By comparing we able...
In most European countries, the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic (spring 2020) led to imposition physical distancing rules, resulting in a drastic and sudden reduction real-life social interactions. Even people not directly affected by virus itself were impacted their and/or mental health, as well financial security, governmental lockdown measures. We investigated if combination these events had changed people’s appraisal scenes testing 241 participants recruited mainly Italy, Austria,...
Abstract Rewards are a broad category of stimuli inducing approach behavior to aid survival. Extensive evidence from animal research has shown that wanting (the motivation pursue reward) and liking pleasure associated with its consumption) mostly regulated by dopaminergic opioidergic activity in dedicated brain areas. However, less is known about the neuroanatomy regulation reward processing humans, especially when considering different types rewards (i.e., social non-social). To fill this...