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RESEARCH GROUP
MICROSTRUCTURAL AGING & EMBODIMENT
My research group has the vision to develop biological models on human sensorimotor aging, and to explore their relevance for bodily awareness and everyday sensorimotor behavior. Questions such as 'Can we understand the mechanisms of healthy and pathological aging?' and 'What are the neuronal mechanisms that underlie age-dependent changes in bodily awareness?' are targeted. My group stands out by using 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging and psychophysics to bridge the gap between neurobiology and psychology. My team is international (Germany, UK, India, Poland, Greece..), interdisciplinary (medical engeneering, psychology, medicine, cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuroscience..), and dedicated to solve fascinating research questions. If you would like to join the team contact me.
MICROSTRUCTURAL AGING & EMBODIMENT
My research group has the vision to develop biological models on human sensorimotor aging, and to explore their relevance for bodily awareness and everyday sensorimotor behavior. Questions such as 'Can we understand the mechanisms of healthy and pathological aging?' and 'What are the neuronal mechanisms that underlie age-dependent changes in bodily awareness?' are targeted. My group stands out by using 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging and psychophysics to bridge the gap between neurobiology and psychology. My team is international (Germany, UK, India, Poland, Greece..), interdisciplinary (medical engeneering, psychology, medicine, cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuroscience..), and dedicated to solve fascinating research questions. If you would like to join the team contact me.
lab research at a glance
NEW
Preserved rubber hand illusion in advanced age
The rubber hand illusion is an often used paradigm to investigate multisensory body representations in health and disease. Here, we used the rubber hand paradigm to answer the question whether or not the visual-tactile integration of bodily signals and the associated feeling of bodily ownership changes with increasing age. We show that there is no difference in explicit and implicit markers of the rubber hand illusion between younger adults (aged 20-30 years) and older adults (aged > 65 years). This indicates preserved pathways for establishing a multisensory representation of the bodily self in advanced age.
Read the full paper: [link]
Preserved rubber hand illusion in advanced age
The rubber hand illusion is an often used paradigm to investigate multisensory body representations in health and disease. Here, we used the rubber hand paradigm to answer the question whether or not the visual-tactile integration of bodily signals and the associated feeling of bodily ownership changes with increasing age. We show that there is no difference in explicit and implicit markers of the rubber hand illusion between younger adults (aged 20-30 years) and older adults (aged > 65 years). This indicates preserved pathways for establishing a multisensory representation of the bodily self in advanced age.
Read the full paper: [link]
TREND
Model the human cortex in 3D
In cognitive neuroscience, brain-behaviour relationships are usually mapped onto a 2D cortical sheet. Cortical layers are a critical but often ignored third dimension of human cortical function. We explain why modelling the human cortex in 3D allows novel and unprecedented insights into the microstructure of human cognition. Key message: In different cortical layers, different computations take place. 3D models of human cognition allow to understand human cognition in its full complexity.
Read the full paper: [link]
Model the human cortex in 3D
In cognitive neuroscience, brain-behaviour relationships are usually mapped onto a 2D cortical sheet. Cortical layers are a critical but often ignored third dimension of human cortical function. We explain why modelling the human cortex in 3D allows novel and unprecedented insights into the microstructure of human cognition. Key message: In different cortical layers, different computations take place. 3D models of human cognition allow to understand human cognition in its full complexity.
Read the full paper: [link]
METHOD
A new computational framework for 7T fMRI
One of the principal goals in fMRI is the detection of local activation in the human brain. However, lack of statistical power and inflated false positive rates have recently been identified as major problems. Here, we propose a non-parametric and threshold-free framework called LISA to address this demand. It uses a non-linear filter for incorporating spatial context without sacrificing spatial precision. Compared to widely used other methods, it shows a boost in statistical power and allows to find small activation areas that have previously evaded detection. Key message: The spatial sensitivity of LISA makes it especially suitable for the analysis of fMRI data acquired at ultrahigh field (≥7 Tesla).
Read the full paper: [link]
A new computational framework for 7T fMRI
One of the principal goals in fMRI is the detection of local activation in the human brain. However, lack of statistical power and inflated false positive rates have recently been identified as major problems. Here, we propose a non-parametric and threshold-free framework called LISA to address this demand. It uses a non-linear filter for incorporating spatial context without sacrificing spatial precision. Compared to widely used other methods, it shows a boost in statistical power and allows to find small activation areas that have previously evaded detection. Key message: The spatial sensitivity of LISA makes it especially suitable for the analysis of fMRI data acquired at ultrahigh field (≥7 Tesla).
Read the full paper: [link]
KEY-FINDING
Non-afferent topographic maps in S1
Human primary somatosensory cortex (S1) is usually believed to only code self-perceived (afferent) touch. We showed using 7 Tesla fMRI that feeling touch on the hand and observing touch at another person's hand activates similar fine-grained topographic maps in S1 and similar inhibitory receptive field interactions in S1. Key insight: Topographic maps in S1 can also arise from non-afferent sources.
Read the full papers: [link] [link]
Non-afferent topographic maps in S1
Human primary somatosensory cortex (S1) is usually believed to only code self-perceived (afferent) touch. We showed using 7 Tesla fMRI that feeling touch on the hand and observing touch at another person's hand activates similar fine-grained topographic maps in S1 and similar inhibitory receptive field interactions in S1. Key insight: Topographic maps in S1 can also arise from non-afferent sources.
Read the full papers: [link] [link]
KEY-FINDING
Septa in the human brain
Monkeys' and rodents' somatosensory cortices are equipped with myelin-poor septa that separate adjacent body part representations. We showed using 7 Tesla MRI that similar boundaries also exist in the human brain. Human septa seem to be most pronounced in input and output layers of M1, and in input layers of S1. Key insight: Cortical myelin boundaries are a new concept to explain cortical separation in the living human brain.
Read the full paper: [link]
Septa in the human brain
Monkeys' and rodents' somatosensory cortices are equipped with myelin-poor septa that separate adjacent body part representations. We showed using 7 Tesla MRI that similar boundaries also exist in the human brain. Human septa seem to be most pronounced in input and output layers of M1, and in input layers of S1. Key insight: Cortical myelin boundaries are a new concept to explain cortical separation in the living human brain.
Read the full paper: [link]
CONCEPT
Changes in embodiment influence cognitive aging
Aging is associated with dramatic deficits in a number of cognitive functions. Our recent review paper highlights that a high number of age-related cognitive deficits arise from problems in embodiment. Also experimental work that I conducted together with Prof. Thomas Wolbers shows an influence of bodily processing on spatial cognitive deficits. Key insight: Cognitive deficits on older age (such as deficits in spatial navigation) link to age-related changes in embodiment.
Read the full papers: [link] [link]
Changes in embodiment influence cognitive aging
Aging is associated with dramatic deficits in a number of cognitive functions. Our recent review paper highlights that a high number of age-related cognitive deficits arise from problems in embodiment. Also experimental work that I conducted together with Prof. Thomas Wolbers shows an influence of bodily processing on spatial cognitive deficits. Key insight: Cognitive deficits on older age (such as deficits in spatial navigation) link to age-related changes in embodiment.
Read the full papers: [link] [link]
overview research topics
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