Cultural Mission

The laboratory promotes the study of brain mechanisms of human action in interaction with the environment by investigating cognitive and motor processes. Special attention is given to (a) the study of cognitive, behavioral benefits and brain indicators of the effects of exercise in the life cycle and in pathological conditions; (b) the effects of sport on the athlete’s brain.
The laboratory has expertise in the integration of psychophysical, psychophysiological and neuroimaging methods.

The Laboratory is equipped for the use of electrophysiological methods consisting of the recording of electrical brain signals (i.e., electro-echo-phalography). In particular, we are interested in understanding how our brain reacts to the stimuli it continually receives from the outside world and our body (i.e., reactive capacities), but more importantly, how our brain tries to anticipate future events (i.e., proactive capacities), so as to prepare the best action or especially prevent inappropriate actions.

Thanks to a memorandum of understanding with the IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia in Rome, the laboratory also uses neuroimaging methods such as anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

More information about the Laboratory

Main lines of research

– Neural bases of human action in interaction with the environment (perceiving to act).
– Brain correlates of proactive (preparation, anticipation and prediction) and reactive (perception, attention, execution, sensory feedback and error management) cognitive and motor processes.
– Cognitive, behavioral benefits and brain indicators of the effects of exercise in the life cycle and in pathological conditions.
– Sport-induced brain plasticity.

In addition to the use of individual research methodologies, the laboratory has also developed expertise over the years in the Combination of EEG/ERP and MRI/fMRI (spatio-temporal mapping of brain processes).