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DocumentIncreasing interhemispheric connectivity between human visual motion areas uncovers asymmetric sensitivity to horizontal motion2022

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-2018-347.24
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
Increasing interhemispheric connectivity between human visual motion areas uncovers asymmetric sensitivity to horizontal motion
Publication year: 2022
URL:
https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(22)01199-X?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS096098222201199X%3Fshowall%3Dtrue
Abstract/Results: ABSTRACT:
Our conscious perceptual experience relies on a hierarchical process involving integration of low-level sensory encoding and higher-order sensory selection.1 This hierarchical process may scale at different levels of brain functioning, including integration of information between the hemispheres.2-5 Here, we test this hypothesis for the perception of visual motion stimuli. Across 3 experiments, we manipulated the connectivity between the left and right visual motion complexes (V5/MT+) responsible for horizontal motion perception2,3 by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).4,5 We found that enhancing the strength of connections from the left to the right V5/MT+, by inducing spike-timing-dependent plasticity6 in this pathway, increased sensitivity to horizontal motion. These changes were present immediately and lasted at least 90 min after intervention. Notably, little perceptual changes were observed when strengthening connections from the right to the left V5/MT+. Furthermore, we found that this asymmetric modulation was mirrored by an asymmetric perceptual bias in the direction of the horizontal motion. Overall, observers were biased toward leftward relative to rightward motion direction. Crucially, following the strengthening of the connections from right to left V5/MT+, this bias could be momentarily reversed. These results suggest that the projections connecting left and right V5/MT+ in the human visual cortex are asymmetrical, subtending a hierarchical role of hemispheric specialization7-10 favoring left-to-right hemisphere processing for integrating local sensory input into coherent global motion perception.
Accessibility: Document does not exist in file
Language:
eng
Author:
Chiappini, E.
Secondary author(s):
Sel, A., Hibbard, P. B., Avenanti, A., Romei, V.
Document type:
Article
Number of reproductions:
1
Percentiles:
81.42|1.26
Reference:
Chiappini, E., Sel, A., Hibbard, P. B., Avenanti, A., & Romei, V. (2022). Increasing interhemispheric connectivity between human visual motion areas uncovers asymmetric sensitivity to horizontal motion. Current Biology, 32(18), 4064-4070.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.07.050
2-year Impact Factor: 9.200|2022
Times cited: 18|2026-02-15
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q1
Keywords: Hebbian-like plasticity / V5/MT+ / Bistable motion / cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) / Hemispheric specialization / Horizontal motion / Interhemispheric connectivity / Spike-timing-dependent plasticity / Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
DocumentFinal report - Driving synaptic plasticity in motor-to-visual neural pathways to enhance action prediction2023

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-2018-347.01
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
Final report - Driving synaptic plasticity in motor-to-visual neural pathways to enhance action prediction
Publication year: 2023
Abstract/Results:
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Actions recognition is supported by an Action Observation Network (AON) including motor (inferior frontal cortex, IFC; motor cortex, M1) and visual (posterior superior temporal sulcus, pSTS) nodes. Despite backward projections being increasingly recognized as key components of perceptual systems, it is unclear whether they play a role in action execution (AE) and perception/prediction (AP).
AIMS
1) To investigate motor resonance in IFC and M1 and provide evidence of backward modulation during AE/AP (Work Package 1, WP1); 2) To provide causal evidence that connections between IFC, M1 and pSTS play a role in AE/AP (WP2).
Method
In WP1, we combined TMS of IFC, M1 and pSTS with EEG (TMS-EEG, co-registration) to investigate motor resonance in IFC and M1 and provide neurophysiological evidence of motor-to-visual backward modulations during AE/AP. In WP2, we used cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) protocol to manipulate the strength of cortico-cortical connectivity and test the effect on AE/AP.
RESULTS
In WP1, we traced early motor resonance effects following IFC and M1 stimulation and motor-to-visual modulations during AE/AP. In WP2, we found that ccPAS of IFC-M1 and IFC-pSTS affected physiological interactions between targeted areas, and led to enhanced AE and AP abilities, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Using TMS-EEG, we provided evidence of motor-to-visual modulations reflecting a role of motor resonance in IFC/M1 in modulating visual areas such as the pSTS during AE/AP. Remarkably, ccPAS manipulation of the strength of IFC-M1 and IFC-pSTS projections resulted in enhanced AE and AP abilities, respectively, providing unprecedented causal evidence for the role of backward projections in AE/AP.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Language:
eng
Author:
Avenanti, A.
Document type:
Final report
Number of reproductions:
1
Reference:
Avenanti, A. (2023). Final report - Driving synaptic plasticity in motor-to-visual neural pathways to enhance action prediction.
Indexed document: No
Keywords: Action perception and execution / Backward connectivity / Neuroplasticity / TMS-EEG coregistration / cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS)

Final report - Driving synaptic plasticity in motor-to-visual neural pathways to enhance action prediction

Final report - Driving synaptic plasticity in motor-to-visual neural pathways to enhance action prediction
DocumentUnderstanding the sources of cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) variability: Unraveling target-specific and state-dependent influences2023

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-2022-304.09
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
Understanding the sources of cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) variability: Unraveling target-specific and state-dependent influences
Publication year: 2023
URL:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2023.08.019
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Copyright/Reproduction:
By permission
Language:
eng
Author:
Turrini, S.
Secondary author(s):
Avenanti, A.
Document type:
Letter
Number of reproductions:
1
Percentiles:
95.55|4.24
Reference:
Turrini, S., & Avenanti, A. (2023). Understanding the sources of cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) variability: Unraveling target-specific and state-dependent influences. Clinical Neurophysiology, 156, 290–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2023.08.019
2-year Impact Factor: 3.7|2023
Times cited: 7|2026-02-15
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q1
Keywords: Cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS)
DocumentState-dependent associative plasticity highlights function-specific premotor-motor pathways crucial for arbitrary visuomotor mapping2025

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-2022-304.15
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
State-dependent associative plasticity highlights function-specific premotor-motor pathways crucial for arbitrary visuomotor mapping
Publication year: 2025
URL:
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adu4098
Abstract/Results: ABSTRACT:
Arbitrary visuomotor mapping (AVMM) showcases the brain's ability to link sensory inputs with actions. The ventral premotor cortex (PMv) is proposed as central to sensorimotor transformations, relaying descending motor commands through the primary motor cortex (M1). However, direct evidence of this pathway's involvement in AVMM remains elusive. In four experiments, we used cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) to enhance (ccPASPMv-M1) or inhibit (ccPASM1-PMv) PMv-to-M1 connectivity via Hebbian plasticity. Leveraging state-dependent properties of transcranial magnetic stimulation, we targeted function-specific visuomotor neurons within the pathway, testing their physiological/behavioral relevance to AVMM. State-dependent ccPASPMv-M1, applied during motor responses to target visual cues, enhanced neurophysiological and behavioral indices of AVMM, while ccPASM1-PMv had an opposite influence, with the effects being more pronounced for target relative to control visual cues. These results highlight the plasticity and causal role of spatially overlapping but functionally specific neural populations within the PMv-M1 pathway in AVMM and suggest state-dependent ccPAS as a tool for targeted modulation of visuomotor pathways.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Language:
eng
Author:
Turrini, S.
Secondary author(s):
Fiori, F., Arcara, G., Romei, V., di Pellegrino, G., Avenanti, A.
Document type:
Article
Number of reproductions:
1
Percentiles:
64.08|1.23
Reference:
Turrini, S., Fiori, F., Arcara, G., Romei, V., di Pellegrino, G., & Avenanti, A. (2025). State-dependent associative plasticity highlights function-specific premotor-motor pathways crucial for arbitrary visuomotor mapping. Science Advances, 11(20), eadu4098. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adu4098
2-year Impact Factor: 12.5|2024
Impact factor notes: Impact factor not available yet for 2025
Times cited: 2|2026-02-17
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q1
Keywords: Arbitrary visuomotor mapping (AVMM) / Cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) / State-dependent modulation / Motor learning

State-dependent associative plasticity highlights function-specific premotor-motor pathways crucial for arbitrary visuomotor mapping

State-dependent associative plasticity highlights function-specific premotor-motor pathways crucial for arbitrary visuomotor mapping
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