by Prof. Alessandro Farnè, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, France

When: May 23, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Aula 2C-Psico2 (Building PSICO2, Via Venezia 12, Padova)

Abstract: Scientists have long questioned the origin of the exquisite human mastery of tools. How do we manage controlling a tool in the skillful way humans typically do, that is, as a body-part? Grasping objects with tools is a major challenge for the motor system, in that the control of the hand needs to be transferred to the prehensile part of the tool. In the first part of my talk I will present findings suggesting that motor control is not merely distalized from the fingers to a grabber prongs: rather, when we use tools to grasp objects, the body of the tool is incorporated into our arm representation.

by Prof. Pascal Fries, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany

When: May 16, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Abstract: Brain networks typically engage in rhythmic synchronization, and this might serve functions, e.g. the processing of stimuli. I will show that repeated visual stimuli induce decreasing firing rates yet enhanced gamma-band synchronization, likely to maintain postsynaptic impact. This impact is indeed optimal for gamma-rhythmic inputs, as I will show by controlling inputs with optogenetics. Optogenetics can also be used to control top-down inputs. I will show that this Opto-Top-Down induces strong, up to several fold, changes in gamma-band synchronization together with much smaller changes in firing rate and no correlation between the two effects.

by Prof. Stanislas Dehaene, Director of INSERM Unit 562, “Cognitive Neuroimaging”, France, and Professor
at the Collège de France

When: May 2, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Abstract: Cognition is distinctly different in humans compared to other animals. A unique feature of our species is natural language, but in this talk, I will argue that a competence for symbols and languages drives many other cognitive domains, such as our unique abilities for geometry, mathematics, or music. Even the mere perception of a square or a zig-zag is driven by minimal description length (MDL) and thus
involves a search for the shortest “mental program” that captures the observed data in an internal “language of geometry”.

by Dr. Arianna Menardi, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova

When: April 11, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Abstract: The study of the functional connectome allows us to understand the routes of information flow in the brain. When applied to the single subject level, it enables us to map how differences in the region-to-region communication translate into differences in cognitive functioning. In light of this, we are witnessing a shift in the literature, gradually moving from group-level inferences to the study of interindividual differences. Most importantly, the emergence of concepts such as those of Precision Medicine are further pushing the new frontiers in Research towards that of highly individualized protocols in light of the individual clinical-biological makeup.

by Dr. Lorenzo Pini, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova

When: March 28, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Abstract: At rest, our brain never rests. Even in the absence of external input, the brain continues to engage in a variety of intrinsic processes. Several tools can be used to assess this never ending activity, such as resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI). Although vascular in nature, rsfMRI is considered a reliable proxy of the neural activity allowing to unravel the functional organization of the brain, consisting of a hierarchical structure organized into polyfunctional neural networks.