Thesis Project Form
Title (tentative): Effects of cerebellar tDCS on brain connectivityThesis advisor(s): Chiappalone Michela, Chris Baeken & Beatriz Catoira (UGent, Belgium) | E-mail: |
Address: Via Opera Pia 13, 16145 Genova | Phone: |
Description
Motivation and application domain
The cerebellum is a brain area traditionally known for its role on motor behaviours. However, in the last two decades, the cerebellum’s relevance in social interactions has been highlighted. The cerebellum, as part of the mentalizing network, is in charge of generating models of future actions, not only a sequence of movements but also social sequences (for example how you interact with a cashier in a store). In this project we aim to learn more about the effects of cerebellar stimulation in mentalizing
General objectives and main activities
The student will learn how to independently conduct a cerebellar tDCS experiment. Their task will include to recruit participants, scheduling the sessions and tDCS application on the participants. The student will also assist with data collection at the MRI scanner and analyze data from a previous fMRI dataset that has already been collected.
The student will receive appropriate training and support for these tasks. In addition, the student is expected to write a report with the results obtained at the end of the internship and to present these results during one of the lab meetings of the Baeker's team.
The student will receive appropriate training and support for these tasks. In addition, the student is expected to write a report with the results obtained at the end of the internship and to present these results during one of the lab meetings of the Baeker's team.
Training Objectives (technical/analytical tools, experimental methodologies)
- Skills related to recruitment of participants
- Learning how to apply tDCS
- Resting state fMRI analysis & interpretation
- Learning how to apply tDCS
- Resting state fMRI analysis & interpretation
Place(s) where the thesis work will be carried out: University of Gent, Belgium
Additional information
Pre-requisite abilities/skills: MATLAB programming skills, signal processing, statistics, image analysis
Maximum number of students: 1
Financial support/scholarship: Erasmus grant