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DocumentBoosting and decreasing action prediction abilities through excitatory and inhibitory tDCS of inferior frontal cortex2018

Reference code: PT/FB
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Location: S. Mamede do Coronado
Title:
BIAL Foundation Archive
Start date: 1994
History:
The BIAL Foundation was created in 1994 by Laboratórios BIAL in conjunction with the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities. BIAL’s Foundation mission is to foster the scientific study of Man from both the physical and spiritual perspectives.
Along the years the BIAL Foundation has developed an important relationship with the scientific community, first in Portugal and after worldwide. Today it is an institution of reference which aims to stimulate new researches that may help people, promote more health and contribute to new milestones to gain access to knowledge.
Among its activities the BIAL Foundation manages the BIAL Award, created in 1984, one of the most important awards in the Health field in Europe. The BIAL Award rewards both the basic and the clinical research distinguishing works of major impact in medical research.
The BIAL Foundation also assigns Scientific Research Scholarships for the study of neurophysiological and mental health in people, arousing the interest of researchers in the areas of Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
To date the BIAL Foundation has supported 461 projects, more than 1000 researchers, with research groups in twenty-seven countries, resulting, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, out of which 172 published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Since 1996 the BIAL Foundation organizes the Symposia entitled "Behind and Beyond the Brain", a Forum that gathers well renowned neurosciences speakers and the BIAL Foundation Fellows which are spread around the world.
Classified as an institution of public utility, the BIAL Foundation includes among its patrons the Portuguese President, the Portuguese Universities Rectors' Council and the Portuguese Medical Association.
URL: http://www.bial.com/pt/
Accessibility: By permission

Reference code: PT/FB/BL
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Title: BIAL Grants
Start date: 1994
History:
In 1994 the BIAL Foundation launched a programme of science research grants with the aim of encouraging the research into Man’s physical and mental processes, namely in fields still largely unexplored but which warrant further scientific analysis, as Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
Since its launch, applications to the BIAL grants have been increasing. Up to now 461 projects have been supported, involving more than 1000 researchers from 27 countries.
The approved applications have benefited from grants in amounts comprised between €5,000 and €50, 000. The amount to be granted is fixed by the Scientific board according to the needs of each project.
The supported projects have originated, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, 172 out of which were published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Among the BIAL Foundation fellows is worth highlighting the presence of scientists from prestigious universities from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, and many others.
The BIAL grants are promoted biannually.

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2016
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
2016 Grants
Start date: 2017-01

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2016-298
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
298 - Empowering feedback connections in temporo-occipital network to boost visual perception of emotions
Duration: 2017-09 - 2019-10
Researcher(s):
Sara Borgomaneri, Marco Zanon, Alessio Avenanti, Caterina Bertini
Institution(s): Center for studies and research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Cesena (Italy)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Progress report
Final Report
Articles
Author: Borgomaneri, S.
Secondary author(s):
Zanon, M., Avenanti, A., Bertini, C.
Number of reproductions:
1
Keywords:
Emotion perception / Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) / Cortical plasticity / Feedback connections / Psychophysiology

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2016-298.09
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
Boosting and decreasing action prediction abilities through excitatory and inhibitory tDCS of inferior frontal cortex
Publication year: 2018
Abstract/Results:
ABSTRACT:
Influential theories suggest that humans predict others’ upcoming actions by using their own motor system as an internal forward model. However, evidence that the motor system is causally essential for predicting others’ actions is meager. Using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), we tested the role of the inferior frontal cortex (IFC), in action prediction (AP). We devised a novel AP task where participants observed the initial phases of right-hand reaching-to-grasp actions and had to predict their outcome (i.e., the goal/object to be grasped). We found that suppression by cathodal (inhibitory) tDCS of the left IFC, but not the left superior temporal sulcus or the right IFC, selectively impaired performance on the AP task, but not on a difficulty-matched control task. Remarkably, anodal (excitatory) tDCS of the left IFC brought about a selective improvement in the AP task. These findings indicate that the left IFC is necessary for predicting the outcomes of observed human right-hand actions. Crucially, our study shows for the first time that down- and up-regulating excitability within the motor system can hinder and enhance AP abilities, respectively. These findings support predictive coding theories of action perception and have implications for enhancement of AP abilities.
Language: eng
Author:
Avenanti, A.
Secondary author(s):
Paracampo, R., Annella, L., Tidoni, E., Aglioti, S. M.
Document type:
Article
Number of reproductions:
1
Reference:
Avenanti, A., Paracampo, R., Annella, L., Tidoni, E., & Aglioti, S. M. (2018). Boosting and decreasing action prediction abilities through excitatory and inhibitory tDCS of inferior frontal cortex. Cerebral Cortex, 28(4), 1282-1296. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhx041
2-year Impact Factor: 5.437|2018
Times cited: 63|2025-09-17
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q1
Keywords: Action prediction / Inferior frontal cortex / Transcranial direct current stimulation / Action observation network / Neuroenhancement

Boosting and decreasing action prediction abilities through excitatory and inhibitory tDCS of inferior frontal cortex

Boosting and decreasing action prediction abilities through excitatory and inhibitory tDCS of inferior frontal cortex
DocumentPrimary motor cortex crucial for action prediction: A tDCS study2018

Reference code: PT/FB
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Location: S. Mamede do Coronado
Title:
BIAL Foundation Archive
Start date: 1994
History:
The BIAL Foundation was created in 1994 by Laboratórios BIAL in conjunction with the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities. BIAL’s Foundation mission is to foster the scientific study of Man from both the physical and spiritual perspectives.
Along the years the BIAL Foundation has developed an important relationship with the scientific community, first in Portugal and after worldwide. Today it is an institution of reference which aims to stimulate new researches that may help people, promote more health and contribute to new milestones to gain access to knowledge.
Among its activities the BIAL Foundation manages the BIAL Award, created in 1984, one of the most important awards in the Health field in Europe. The BIAL Award rewards both the basic and the clinical research distinguishing works of major impact in medical research.
The BIAL Foundation also assigns Scientific Research Scholarships for the study of neurophysiological and mental health in people, arousing the interest of researchers in the areas of Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
To date the BIAL Foundation has supported 461 projects, more than 1000 researchers, with research groups in twenty-seven countries, resulting, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, out of which 172 published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Since 1996 the BIAL Foundation organizes the Symposia entitled "Behind and Beyond the Brain", a Forum that gathers well renowned neurosciences speakers and the BIAL Foundation Fellows which are spread around the world.
Classified as an institution of public utility, the BIAL Foundation includes among its patrons the Portuguese President, the Portuguese Universities Rectors' Council and the Portuguese Medical Association.
URL: http://www.bial.com/pt/
Accessibility: By permission

Reference code: PT/FB/BL
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Title: BIAL Grants
Start date: 1994
History:
In 1994 the BIAL Foundation launched a programme of science research grants with the aim of encouraging the research into Man’s physical and mental processes, namely in fields still largely unexplored but which warrant further scientific analysis, as Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
Since its launch, applications to the BIAL grants have been increasing. Up to now 461 projects have been supported, involving more than 1000 researchers from 27 countries.
The approved applications have benefited from grants in amounts comprised between €5,000 and €50, 000. The amount to be granted is fixed by the Scientific board according to the needs of each project.
The supported projects have originated, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, 172 out of which were published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Among the BIAL Foundation fellows is worth highlighting the presence of scientists from prestigious universities from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, and many others.
The BIAL grants are promoted biannually.

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2016
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
2016 Grants
Start date: 2017-01

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2016-298
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
298 - Empowering feedback connections in temporo-occipital network to boost visual perception of emotions
Duration: 2017-09 - 2019-10
Researcher(s):
Sara Borgomaneri, Marco Zanon, Alessio Avenanti, Caterina Bertini
Institution(s): Center for studies and research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Cesena (Italy)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Progress report
Final Report
Articles
Author: Borgomaneri, S.
Secondary author(s):
Zanon, M., Avenanti, A., Bertini, C.
Number of reproductions:
1
Keywords:
Emotion perception / Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) / Cortical plasticity / Feedback connections / Psychophysiology

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2016-298.10
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
Primary motor cortex crucial for action prediction: A tDCS study
Publication year: 2018
URL:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010945218303186?via%3Dihub
Abstract/Results: ABSTRACT
The neural network underlying action observation - i.e., the action observation network - forms an anticipatory representation of observed actions. Although correlational studies suggest that the motor cortex (M1) might be involved in this anticipatory coding, it is unclear whether M1 is also causally essential for making accurate predictions about observed actions. To test the functional relevance of M1 to action prediction, we used offline monopolar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). In four tDCS groups of healthy participants, we administered 15 min of anodal or cathodal constant currents of 1 or 2 mA over the left M1 before participants performed two tasks requiring them to make predictions about the outcomes of reaching-grasping human actions (Action Prediction - AP) or non-human movements (Non-human Prediction - NP). In each group, participants received sham and active tDCS in two separate sessions. We found that 2 mA cathodal tDCS (c-tDCS2mA) selectively impaired accuracy in the AP task, but not in the NP task. No change in performance was found following anodal or 1-mA tDCS protocols. Additionally, no change was found following c-tDCS2mA administered over a control site. These findings show task-, polarity-, intensity- and site-specific disruption of AP abilities following c-tDCS2mA over M1. Thus, our study establishes specific tDCS parameters for effective M1 stimulation in AP and highlights the functional relevance of the motor system to making accurate predictions about the outcomes of human actions.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Copyright/Reproduction:
By permission
Language:
eng
Author:
Paracampo, R.
Secondary author(s):
Montemurro, M., de Vega, M., Avenanti, A.
Document type:
Article
Number of reproductions:
1
Reference:
Paracampo, R., Montemurro, M., de Vega, M., & Avenanti, A. (2018). Primary motor cortex crucial for action prediction: A tDCS study. Cortex, 109, 287-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2018.09.019
2-year Impact Factor: 4.275|2018
Times cited: 21|2025-09-17
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q1
Keywords: Action observation network / Action prediction / Non-invasive brain stimulation / Primary motor cortex / Transcranial direct current stimulation
DocumentState-dependent TMS of inferior frontal and parietal cortices highlights integration of grip configuration and functional goals during action recognition2020

Reference code: PT/FB
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Location: S. Mamede do Coronado
Title:
BIAL Foundation Archive
Start date: 1994
History:
The BIAL Foundation was created in 1994 by Laboratórios BIAL in conjunction with the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities. BIAL’s Foundation mission is to foster the scientific study of Man from both the physical and spiritual perspectives.
Along the years the BIAL Foundation has developed an important relationship with the scientific community, first in Portugal and after worldwide. Today it is an institution of reference which aims to stimulate new researches that may help people, promote more health and contribute to new milestones to gain access to knowledge.
Among its activities the BIAL Foundation manages the BIAL Award, created in 1984, one of the most important awards in the Health field in Europe. The BIAL Award rewards both the basic and the clinical research distinguishing works of major impact in medical research.
The BIAL Foundation also assigns Scientific Research Scholarships for the study of neurophysiological and mental health in people, arousing the interest of researchers in the areas of Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
To date the BIAL Foundation has supported 461 projects, more than 1000 researchers, with research groups in twenty-seven countries, resulting, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, out of which 172 published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Since 1996 the BIAL Foundation organizes the Symposia entitled "Behind and Beyond the Brain", a Forum that gathers well renowned neurosciences speakers and the BIAL Foundation Fellows which are spread around the world.
Classified as an institution of public utility, the BIAL Foundation includes among its patrons the Portuguese President, the Portuguese Universities Rectors' Council and the Portuguese Medical Association.
URL: http://www.bial.com/pt/
Accessibility: By permission

Reference code: PT/FB/BL
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Title: BIAL Grants
Start date: 1994
History:
In 1994 the BIAL Foundation launched a programme of science research grants with the aim of encouraging the research into Man’s physical and mental processes, namely in fields still largely unexplored but which warrant further scientific analysis, as Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
Since its launch, applications to the BIAL grants have been increasing. Up to now 461 projects have been supported, involving more than 1000 researchers from 27 countries.
The approved applications have benefited from grants in amounts comprised between €5,000 and €50, 000. The amount to be granted is fixed by the Scientific board according to the needs of each project.
The supported projects have originated, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, 172 out of which were published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Among the BIAL Foundation fellows is worth highlighting the presence of scientists from prestigious universities from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, and many others.
The BIAL grants are promoted biannually.

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2018
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
2018 Grants
Start date: 2019-01

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2018-347
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
347 - Driving synaptic plasticity in motor-to-visual neural pathways to enhance action prediction
Duration: 2019-10 - 2023-06
Researcher(s):
Alessio Avenanti, Marco Zanon
Institution(s): Department of Psychology, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna (Italy)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Progress report
Final report
Articles
Language: eng
Author:
Avenanti, A.
Secondary author(s):
Zanon, M.
Number of reproductions:
1
Keywords:
Action observation / Prediction / Plasticity / Connectivity / Psychophysiology

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2018-347.06
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
State-dependent TMS of inferior frontal and parietal cortices highlights integration of grip configuration and functional goals during action recognition
Publication year: 2020
URL:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010945220303026
Abstract/Results: ABSTRACT:
Understanding the object-directed actions of conspecifics not only implies recognition of the object (e.g., a pen) and processing of the motor components (e.g., grip configuration), but also identification of the functional goal of the action (e.g., writing). Motor components and goal representations are both known to be critically involved in action recognition, but how the brain integrates these two pieces of information remains unclear. Action priming was used to tune the cognitive system to the integration of grip and goal representations. We evaluated the effect of briefly presented primes sharing grip and/or goal information with the target on recognition of action photographs. Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was applied at target onset over the inferior frontal cortex (IFC) or the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) to evaluate their involvement in integrating grip and goal information. IFC and IPL stimulation specifically reduced integration of these two pieces of information. These results demonstrate, for the first time, the existence of specialized neuronal populations dedicated to grip/goal integration within a fronto-parietal network, supporting the importance given to this network by sensorimotor and predictive models of action recognition.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Copyright/Reproduction:
By permission
Language:
eng
Notes:
Jérémy
Author: Decroix, J.
Secondary author(s):
Borgomaneri, S., Kalénine, S., Avenanti, A.
Document type:
Article
Number of reproductions:
1
Reference:
Decroix, J., Borgomaneri, S., Kalénine, S., & Avenanti, A. (2020). State-dependent TMS of inferior frontal and parietal cortices highlights integration of grip configuration and functional goals during action recognition. Cortex, 132, 51–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2020.08.004
2-year Impact Factor: 4.027|2020
Times cited: 13|2025-09-18
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q1
Keywords: Action recognition / TMS priming / Object-directed actions / Action semantics / Action observation network
DocumentDriving Hebbian plasticity over ventral premotor-motor projections transiently enhances motor resonance2024

Reference code: PT/FB
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Location: S. Mamede do Coronado
Title:
BIAL Foundation Archive
Start date: 1994
History:
The BIAL Foundation was created in 1994 by Laboratórios BIAL in conjunction with the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities. BIAL’s Foundation mission is to foster the scientific study of Man from both the physical and spiritual perspectives.
Along the years the BIAL Foundation has developed an important relationship with the scientific community, first in Portugal and after worldwide. Today it is an institution of reference which aims to stimulate new researches that may help people, promote more health and contribute to new milestones to gain access to knowledge.
Among its activities the BIAL Foundation manages the BIAL Award, created in 1984, one of the most important awards in the Health field in Europe. The BIAL Award rewards both the basic and the clinical research distinguishing works of major impact in medical research.
The BIAL Foundation also assigns Scientific Research Scholarships for the study of neurophysiological and mental health in people, arousing the interest of researchers in the areas of Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
To date the BIAL Foundation has supported 461 projects, more than 1000 researchers, with research groups in twenty-seven countries, resulting, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, out of which 172 published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Since 1996 the BIAL Foundation organizes the Symposia entitled "Behind and Beyond the Brain", a Forum that gathers well renowned neurosciences speakers and the BIAL Foundation Fellows which are spread around the world.
Classified as an institution of public utility, the BIAL Foundation includes among its patrons the Portuguese President, the Portuguese Universities Rectors' Council and the Portuguese Medical Association.
URL: http://www.bial.com/pt/
Accessibility: By permission

Reference code: PT/FB/BL
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Title: BIAL Grants
Start date: 1994
History:
In 1994 the BIAL Foundation launched a programme of science research grants with the aim of encouraging the research into Man’s physical and mental processes, namely in fields still largely unexplored but which warrant further scientific analysis, as Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
Since its launch, applications to the BIAL grants have been increasing. Up to now 461 projects have been supported, involving more than 1000 researchers from 27 countries.
The approved applications have benefited from grants in amounts comprised between €5,000 and €50, 000. The amount to be granted is fixed by the Scientific board according to the needs of each project.
The supported projects have originated, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, 172 out of which were published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Among the BIAL Foundation fellows is worth highlighting the presence of scientists from prestigious universities from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, and many others.
The BIAL grants are promoted biannually.

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2022
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
2022 Grants
Start date: 2023-01

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2022-304
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
304 - Boosting and hindering action imitation by modulating spike-timing dependent plasticity
Duration: 2023-10 - 2025-11
Researcher(s):
Alessio Avenanti, Chiara Spaccasassi, Sonia Turrini, Antonio Cataneo
Institution(s): Department of Psychology, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna (Italy)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Progress report
Final report
Articles
Language: eng
Author:
Avenanti, A.
Secondary author(s):
Spaccasassi, C., Turrini, S., Cataneo, A.
Number of reproductions:
1
Keywords:
Psychophysiology

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2022-304.10
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
Driving Hebbian plasticity over ventral premotor-motor projections transiently enhances motor resonance
Publication year: 2024
URL:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2024.02.011
Abstract/Results: ABSTRACT:
Background: Making sense of others' actions relies on the activation of an action observation network (AON), which maps visual information about observed actions onto the observer's motor system. This motor resonance process manifests in the primary motor cortex (M1) as increased corticospinal excitability finely tuned to the muscles engaged in the observed action. Motor resonance in M1 is facilitated by projections from higher-order AON regions. However, whether manipulating the strength of AON-to-M1 connectivity affects motor resonance remains unclear.
Methods: We used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in 48 healthy humans. Cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) was administered over M1 and the ventral premotor cortex (PMv), a key AON node, to induce spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) in the pathway connecting them. Single-pulse TMS assessed motor resonance during action observation.
Results: Before ccPAS, action observation increased corticospinal excitability in the muscles corresponding to the observed movements, reflecting motor resonance in M1. Notably, ccPAS aimed at strengthening projections from PMv to M1 (PMv?M1) induced short-term enhancement of motor resonance. The enhancement specifically occurred with the ccPAS configuration consistent with forward PMv?M1 projections and dissipated 20 min post-stimulation; ccPAS administered in the reverse order (M1?PMv) and sham stimulation did not affect motor resonance.
Conclusions: These findings provide the first evidence that inducing STDP to strengthen PMv input to M1 neurons causally enhances muscle-specific motor resonance in M1. Our study sheds light on the plastic mechanisms that shape AON functionality and demonstrates that exogenous manipulation of AON connectivity can influence basic mirror mechanisms that underlie social perception.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Language:
eng
Author:
Chiappini, E.
Secondary author(s):
Turrini, S., Zanon, M., Marangon, M., Borgomaneri, S., Avenanti, A.
Document type:
Article
Number of reproductions:
1
Reference:
Chiappini, E., Turrini, S., Zanon, M., Marangon, M., Borgomaneri, S., & Avenanti, A. (2024). Driving Hebbian plasticity over ventral premotor-motor projections transiently enhances motor resonance. Brain Stimulation, 17(2), 211–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2024.02.011
2-year Impact Factor: 8.4|2024
Times cited: 11|2025-09-26
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q1
Keywords: Action observation network / Cortico-co44rtical paired associative stimulation / Motor connectivity / Transcranial magnetic stimulation

Driving Hebbian plasticity over ventral premotor-motor projections transiently enhances motor resonance

Driving Hebbian plasticity over ventral premotor-motor projections transiently enhances motor resonance
DocumentFinal report - Boosting and hindering action imitation by modulating spike-timing dependent plasticity2025

Reference code: PT/FB
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Location: S. Mamede do Coronado
Title:
BIAL Foundation Archive
Start date: 1994
History:
The BIAL Foundation was created in 1994 by Laboratórios BIAL in conjunction with the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities. BIAL’s Foundation mission is to foster the scientific study of Man from both the physical and spiritual perspectives.
Along the years the BIAL Foundation has developed an important relationship with the scientific community, first in Portugal and after worldwide. Today it is an institution of reference which aims to stimulate new researches that may help people, promote more health and contribute to new milestones to gain access to knowledge.
Among its activities the BIAL Foundation manages the BIAL Award, created in 1984, one of the most important awards in the Health field in Europe. The BIAL Award rewards both the basic and the clinical research distinguishing works of major impact in medical research.
The BIAL Foundation also assigns Scientific Research Scholarships for the study of neurophysiological and mental health in people, arousing the interest of researchers in the areas of Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
To date the BIAL Foundation has supported 461 projects, more than 1000 researchers, with research groups in twenty-seven countries, resulting, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, out of which 172 published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Since 1996 the BIAL Foundation organizes the Symposia entitled "Behind and Beyond the Brain", a Forum that gathers well renowned neurosciences speakers and the BIAL Foundation Fellows which are spread around the world.
Classified as an institution of public utility, the BIAL Foundation includes among its patrons the Portuguese President, the Portuguese Universities Rectors' Council and the Portuguese Medical Association.
URL: http://www.bial.com/pt/
Accessibility: By permission

Reference code: PT/FB/BL
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Title: BIAL Grants
Start date: 1994
History:
In 1994 the BIAL Foundation launched a programme of science research grants with the aim of encouraging the research into Man’s physical and mental processes, namely in fields still largely unexplored but which warrant further scientific analysis, as Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
Since its launch, applications to the BIAL grants have been increasing. Up to now 461 projects have been supported, involving more than 1000 researchers from 27 countries.
The approved applications have benefited from grants in amounts comprised between €5,000 and €50, 000. The amount to be granted is fixed by the Scientific board according to the needs of each project.
The supported projects have originated, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, 172 out of which were published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Among the BIAL Foundation fellows is worth highlighting the presence of scientists from prestigious universities from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, and many others.
The BIAL grants are promoted biannually.

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2022
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
2022 Grants
Start date: 2023-01

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2022-304
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
304 - Boosting and hindering action imitation by modulating spike-timing dependent plasticity
Duration: 2023-10 - 2025-11
Researcher(s):
Alessio Avenanti, Chiara Spaccasassi, Sonia Turrini, Antonio Cataneo
Institution(s): Department of Psychology, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna (Italy)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Progress report
Final report
Articles
Language: eng
Author:
Avenanti, A.
Secondary author(s):
Spaccasassi, C., Turrini, S., Cataneo, A.
Number of reproductions:
1
Keywords:
Psychophysiology

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2022-304.01
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
Final report - Boosting and hindering action imitation by modulating spike-timing dependent plasticity
Publication year: 2025
Abstract/Results:
ABSTRACT:
Background
The action observation network (AON) engages premotor brain areas that influence the activity of the primary motor cortex (M1) during action perception (motor resonance) and the tendency to imitate the observed action (automatic imitation). Yet, how ventral premotor (PMv) and supplementary motor area (SMA) pathways to M1 distinctly shape these phenomena remains unclear.
Aims
To investigate the plasticity and functional role of distinct premotor-M1 pathways. We asked whether manipulating the strength of premotor-M1 pathways via Hebbian plasticity differentially modulates (i) motor resonance, and (ii) automatic imitation.
Methods
We applied cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) in healthy adults to strengthen or weaken PMv-M1 or SMA-M1 projections. TMS over M1 was used to probe markers of motor resonance. Imitative behavior was assessed with imitation-inhibition and overt-imitation tasks.
Results
Strengthening PMv?M1 projections via ccPAS increased electrophysiological markers of motor resonance in M1 and enhanced the automatic tendency to imitate observed actions; reversing stimulation order (M1?PMv) reduced automatic imitation. Strengthening SMA?M1 decreased automatic imitation and improved interference control in overt-imitation tasks.
Conclusions
By manipulating the strength of projections from premotor areas of the AON to M1, we demonstrate their malleability and causal role. PMv?M1 projections are pivotal for motor resonance and automatic imitative bias, whereas SMA?M1 is critical for top-down control of motor performance. These findings reveal a dissociable organization within the AON, whereby distinct premotor–M1 pathways mediate complementary processes of action mirroring and control.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Language:
eng
Author:
Avenanti, A.
Document type:
Final report
Number of reproductions:
1
Reference:
Avenanti, A. (2025). Final report - Boosting and hindering action imitation by modulating spike-timing dependent plasticity.
Indexed document: No
Keywords: Motor resonance / Automatic imitation / Action observation network / Cortico-cortical Paired Associative Stimulation (ccPAS) / Neuroplasticity

Final report - Boosting and hindering action imitation by modulating spike-timing dependent plasticity

Final report - Boosting and hindering action imitation by modulating spike-timing dependent plasticity