Current projects

Temporal processing in subcortical structures: Spontaneous motor tempo (SMT), sensorimotor synchronization (SMS) and feedback

Michael Schwartze, Franziska Knolle

In addition to their major role in motor control, the basal ganglia (BG) and the cerebellum (CE) have been implicated in specific aspects of temporal processing. Using various finger-tapping paradigms we investigate the impact of subcortical lesions on SMT, SMS, and auditory feedback mechanisms. Thereby, we aim to characterize these functions and the underlying subcortico-cortical networks.

 

"Dynamic attending" and temporal processing

Michael Schwartze

This project investigates the effect of regular and irregular temporal relations in auditory stimulus sequences on the allocation of attentional resources. The high temporal resolution of the EEG is used to explore this process in subcortical patients and healthy control groups.

 

Sensory predictions in auditory and temporal processing

Ellen Schüßler, Franziska Knolle

Auditory and temporal processing requires and applies internal forward models to predict sensory consequences of a subsequent stimulus. Using a cross-modal N100 suppression paradigm we investigate subcortical contributions, i.e. basal ganglia (BG) and cerebellum (CE), to predictive processing. Furthermore, we explore how the interplay of audio-visual stimuli is influenced by the time constraints and modulations of attention.

 

Predictive cue integration in audition: Cortical and subcortical mechanisms

Alessandro Tavano

Is the brain a Bayesian machine? This project investigates the behavioral and electrophysiological correlates of top-down and bottom-up congruent cue integration, in terms of benefits and costs. Participants include healthy young and older age individuals, and patients with Parkinson Disease.

 

Compensation of gait and sensorimotor behavior in Parkinson's Disease by means of auditory cueing

Charles-Etienne Benoit, Nicolas Farrugia

This project investigates changes in brain plasticity of the sensorimotor system as a function of sensorimotor and gait rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease. Patients undergo training sessions, in which they synchronize their steps with temporally regular cues embedded in music. We use a battery of behavioral measures and motion capture to assess improvements in sensorimotor synchronisation and gait-related parameters. Furthermore, we investigate improvement of sensory synchronization studing the effects of formal and temporal predictions on the P50, N100 and P300 ERP components and functional connectivity using phase synchronization analysis of alpha and beta oscillations (scalp and source level).

 

Temporal processing and speech-motor interaction in people who stutter (PWS)

Sebastian Wahnelt

The aim of this project is to verify whether PWS show a temporal processing deficit, and furthermore, whether their speech fluency benefits from a dynamical approach to motor learning. These issues are addressed in a series of behavioral and ERP experiments.

 

Collaborations

Dr Alexandra Bendixen
University of Leipzig, Faculty of Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology, Institute of Psy-chology I, Leipzig, Germany

Dr Simone Dalla Bella
WSFiZ Warsaw, Poland & Movement 2 Health Laboratory (M2H), EuroMov. University of Montpellier 1. Montpellier, France

Dr Peter F. Dominey
Institut cellules souches et cerveau, INSERM U846 – Universite Lyon 1 Lyon, France

Dr. Michel Hoen
Institut cellules souches et cerveau, INSERM U846 – Universite Lyon 1 Lyon, France

Dr Richard B. Ivry
Cognition and Action Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA

Dr Peter E. Keller
Independent Junior Research Group "Music Cognition and Action", MPI for Human Cogni-tive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany MARCS Auditory Laboratories, University of Western Sydney, Australia

Dr Hellmuth Obrig
Day Clinic of Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig, Germany & MPI for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Dept. of Neurology, Leipzig, Germany

Dr Aniruddh D. Patel
The Neuroscience Institute, San Diego, CA, USA

Dr. Emmanuel Procyk
Institut cellules souches et cerveau, INSERM U846 – Universite Lyon 1 Lyon, France

Dr Erich Schröger
University of Leipzig, Faculty of Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology, Institute of Psychology I, Leipzig, Germany

 

Selected publications

Knolle, F.; Schröger, E.; Baess, P.; Kotz, S. A.: The cerebellum generates motor-to-auditory predictions: ERP lesion evidence. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 24 (3), pp. 698 - 706 (2012)
Kotz, S. A.; Schwartze, M.: Differential input of the supplementary motor area to a dedicated temporal processing network: Functional and clinical implications. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience 5, 86 (2011)
Schwartze, M., Tavano A., Schröger E. & Kotz, S.A.
Timing and prediction in the auditory domain: Cortical and subcortial neural mechanisms.
International Journal of Pschophysiology, 83, 200-207 (2012)
Schwartze, M.; Rothermich, K.; Kotz, S. A.: Functional dissociation of pre-SMA and SMA-proper in temporal processing. NeuroImage 60 (1), pp. 290 - 298 (2012)
Schwartze, M.; Rothermich, K.; Schmidt-Kassow, M.; Kotz, S. A.: Temporal regularity effects on pre-attentive and attentive processing of deviance. Biological Psychology 87 (1), pp. 146 - 151 (2011)
Schwartze, M.; Keller, P. E.; Patel, A. D.; Kotz, S. A.: The impact of basal ganglia lesions on sensorimotor synchronization, spontaneous motor tempo, and the detection of tempo changes. Behavioural Brain Research 216 (2), pp. 685 - 691 (2011)
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