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Neural mechanisms of primate sensorimotor integration during virtual reality prehension and navigation actions
Funding: PNRR
The electrophysiological study of the neurons of the parieto-occipital cortex of non-human primates trained to perform motor tasks on static panels is renewed in the most recent experiments thanks to virtual reality navigation which allows the execution of reaching and grasping movements in simulated and dynamic environments. Cortical regions such as the V6 area are known whose neurons are modulated by the flows of visual information that are projected onto the retina when moving, for example, between the aisles of a supermarket. Other areas deal with recognizing objects, others allow orientation in space to move avoiding obstacles, others guide attention towards objects of interest. Alongside the recording of neural activity, parallel computational analysis work is carried out aimed at reducing the dimensionality of both real data and simulated data, useful for improving the efficiency and interpretation of the data collected.
The study of the fronto-parietal network in primates allows us to understand how the brain transforms visual information into coordinated movements. This knowledge has clinical and technological implications. Our research shows that different areas of the brain contribute specifically to the representation of space and the guidance of movements (De Vitis et al., 2025), providing useful indications for recognizing neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's early and for developing brain-machine interfaces more effective. Visual sensitivity of the parietal cortex is also crucial for motor control (Fattori et al., 2024), with applications in rehabilitation programs based on visual and multimodal feedback. Free access neural dataset sharing (Diomedi et al., 2024) offers valuable tools for building computational models and using artificial intelligence, fostering translation from animal models to the clinic.
TRL: 1
Cluster applicativi:
Healthcare, Lifescience
Healthcare, Lifescience
Settori Scientifico Disciplinari
Spoke 4 : Perception and Brain-Body Interaction
