Award details

Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the human visual system

Reference	BB/C511072/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Brendan Barrett
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor David Keeble, Professor Paul McGraw, Professor Declan McKeefry, Professor David Whitaker
Institution	University of Bradford
Department	Optometry
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	43,166
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/02/2005
End date	31/10/2005
Duration	9 months

Abstract

The present proposal requests support that will enable a new research laboratory to be equipped in the Department of Optometry at the University of Bradford. In this laboratory Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) studies will be conducted in conjunction with psychophysical techniques. TMS is now a cutting-edge investigative tool within the field of cognitive neuroscience. We intend to use this technique to examine the neural mechanisms underlying human visual perception in a manner which is wholly consistent with the scientific remit of the BBSRC¿s Animal Sciences Committee. Indeed, our proposed research is particularly appropriate to one of the current themes identified by this Committee (Theme: Neuroscience and Behaviour, relevant priority under this theme: From Neuron to Behaviour). At present, the use of TMS is dominated by clinical and cognitive researchers, and relatively little work has been carried out on early visual processing with the psychophysical rigour of our proposed experiments. Given the combination of psychophysical expertise of the applicants and the training that we have received in TMS, we believe that we are uniquely placed to take a leading role in the application of TMS to early visual processing. We will use TMS to further our understanding of cortical visual processing by establishing brain behaviour relationships: the transient disruption of focal brain activity will allow us to determine the role and timing of the contribution made by a particular brain area to a given task or form of behaviour. Currently TMS is the only technique that can be used in humans which offers this combined spatial and temporal investigative capability. Brain-behaviour relationships are usually established by lesion studies in animals or from the neuropsychological investigations of patients who have suffered localised brain injury. However, interpretation of the results of these investigations must be made with some caution, because residual cortical plasticity may complicate the situation. TMS offers a unique opportunity to create in human subjects transient focal lesions for a time period that does not permit the adaptive changes in the cortex which almost invariably occur in brain-injured patients. Three examples of this experimental approach are provided in our Detailed Plan of Research, but the facility that we seek to create will enable high-calibre research of a multi-disciplinary nature to be conducted long after the projects described in the proposal have been completed.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Research Equipment Initiative 2004 (RE4) [2004]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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