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Type Title Begin End
DocumentDecoding semi-constrained brain activity from fMRI using support vector machines and gaussian processes2012

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-2010
Location: Arquivo PCA - Pastas 1 a 23
Title:
2010 Grants
Start date: 2011-01

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2010-226
Location: Arquivo PCA - Pasta 23/2010
Title:
226 - Brain decoding of spontaneous memory processes
Duration: 2011-10 - 2016-01
Researcher(s):
Pierre Maquet, Christophe Phillips, Jessica Schrouff, Caroline Kussé
Institution(s): Cyclotron Research Centre, University of Liège (Belgium)
Contents: Contents:
Bursary agreement
Application form
Correspondence
Financial report and expenditure documents
Progress report
Final report
Articles
Language: eng
Author:
Maquet, P.
Secondary author(s):
Phillips, C., Schrouffs, J., Kussé, C.
Number of reproductions:
1
Keywords:
Psychophysiology / Cognitive processes / Memory / Brain structure and function / Assessment tools

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2010-226.02
Location: Arquivo PCA - Pasta 23/2010
Title:
Decoding semi-constrained brain activity from fMRI using support vector machines and gaussian processes
Publication year: 2012
URL:
http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchObject.action?uri=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0035860&representation=PDF
Abstract/Results: ABSTRACT:
Predicting a particular cognitive state from a specific pattern of fMRI voxel values is still a methodological challenge. Decoding brain activity is usually performed in highly controlled experimental paradigms characterized by a series of distinct states induced by a temporally constrained experimental design. In more realistic conditions, the number, sequence and duration of mental states are unpredictably generated by the individual, resulting in complex and imbalanced fMRI data sets. This study tests the classification of brain activity, acquired on 16 volunteers using fMRI, during mental imagery, a condition in which the number and duration of mental events were not externally imposed but self-generated. To deal with these issues, two classification techniques were considered (Support Vector Machines, SVM, and Gaussian Processes, GP), as well as different feature extraction methods (General Linear Model, GLM and SVM). These techniques were combined in order to identify the procedures leading to the highest accuracy measures. Our results showed that 12 data sets out of 16 could be significantly modeled by either SVM or GP. Model accuracies tended to be related to the degree of imbalance between classes and to task performance of the volunteers. We also conclude that the GP technique tends to be more robust than SVM to model unbalanced data sets.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Copyright/Reproduction:
By permission
Language:
eng
Author:
Schrouff, J.
Secondary author(s):
Kussé, C., Wehenkel, L., Maquet, P., Phillips, C.
Document type:
Article
Number of reproductions:
1
Percentiles:
47.38|0.53
Reference:
Schrouff, J., Kussé, C., Wehenkel, L., Maquet, P., & Phillips, C. (2012). Decoding semi-constrained brain activity from fMRI using support vector machines and gaussian processes. PLoS ONE, 7(4): e35860. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0035860
2-year Impact Factor: 3.730|2012
Times cited: 26|2026-02-05
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q1
Keywords: Brain activity / Mental imagery / Spontaneous activity / Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Decoding semi-constrained brain activity from fMRI using support vector machines and gaussian processes

Decoding semi-constrained brain activity from fMRI using support vector machines and gaussian processes
DocumentHow do conceptual representations interact with processing demands: An fMRI study on action- and abstract-related words2014

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-2012
Location: SEC PCA
Title:
2012 Grants
Start date: 2013-02

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2012-262
Location: Arquivo PCA - Pasta 29/2012
Title:
262 - The neural basis of Magical Ideation: A multimodal imaging study in twin subjects
Duration: 2013-08 - 2019-07
Researcher(s):
Paolo Brambilla, Gioia Negri, Sara Piccin, Giuseppe Cabras, Corrado Fagnani
Institution(s): Universitá delgi Studi di Milano and Unit of Epidemiology of the Italian Institute of Health, Rome (Italy)
Contents: Contents:
Bursary agreement
Application form
Correspondence
Progress report
Final report
Articles
Language: eng
Author:
Brambilla, P.
Secondary author(s):
Negri, G., Piccin, S., Cabras, G., Fagnani, C.
Number of reproductions:
3
Keywords:
Psychophysiology and Parapsychology / Paranormal belief / Brain structure and function / Personality

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2012-262.04
Location: Arquivo PCA - Pasta 29/2012
Title:
How do conceptual representations interact with processing demands: An fMRI study on action- and abstract-related words
Publication year: 2014
URL:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006899314013602
Abstract/Results: ABSTRACT:
This fMRI study investigated the functional mechanisms related to mental simulation of abstract- and action-related words and measured the effect of the type of stimulus (Abstract vs. action verbs) and the type of task (imagery vs. control task) to explore how conceptual representations interact with processing demands. A significant task by stimuli interaction showed that action-related words activated the left sensorimotor cortex during explicit imagery (as compared to the control task), whereas abstract-related verbs did not automatically activate this area. Rather, as we made sure that Abstract verbs were not associated with motor states (as tested in a rating study of our stimulus list), imagery elicited by abstract verb processing (as compared to Action verbs, and controlled for letter detection) differentially activated a right hemisphere neural network including the right supramarginal (SMG) gyrus and the precuneus which might be related to mental imagery of emotion-related scenes and not to the semantics of the stimuli per se. Our results confirmed the view that the activation of the sensorimotor cortex during language processing of abstract- and action-related words is strategy-dependent.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Copyright/Reproduction:
By permission
Language:
eng
Author:
Tomasino, B.
Secondary author(s):
Fabbro, F., Brambilla, P.
Document type:
Article
Number of reproductions:
3
Percentiles:
46.37|0.54
Reference:
Tomasino, B., Fabbro, F., & Brambilla, P. (2014). How do conceptual representations interact with processing demands: An fMRI study on action- and abstract-related words. Brain Research, 1591, 38–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2014.10.008
2-year Impact Factor: 2.843|2014
Times cited: 22|2026-02-06
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q2
Keywords: Mental imagery / Word representations / Cognitive Strategies

How do conceptual representations interact with processing demands: An fMRI study on action- and abstract-related words

How do conceptual representations interact with processing demands: An fMRI study on action- and abstract-related words
File109 - Mental imagery in the human brain: In space and time2017-062021-01

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-2016-109
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
109 - Mental imagery in the human brain: In space and time
Duration: 2017-06 - 2021-01
Researcher(s):
Leila Reddy
Institution(s): Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition - CerCo, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Toulouse (France)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Progress report
Final report
Articles
Author: Reddy, L.
Number of reproductions:
1
Keywords:
Mental imagery / Top-down processes / Intracranial EEG, fMRI, LFPs in humans / Space and time / Psychophysiology
DocumentFinal report - Body and soul: A computational neurophysiological and qualitative investigation of Ganzfeld-induced imagery2017

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-2012
Location: SEC PCA
Title:
2012 Grants
Start date: 2013-02

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2012-066
Location: Arquivo PCA - Pasta 25/2012
Title:
066 - Body and soul: A computational neurophysiological and qualitative investigation of Ganzfeld-induced imagery
Duration: 2013-04 - 2017-09
Researcher(s):
Alexander Sumich, Daniel Wilson, Nicholas Blagden
Institution(s): Nottingham Trent University (NTU), Division of Psychology (UK)
Contents: Contents:
Bursary agreement
Application form
Correspondence
Progress report
Final report
Language: eng
Author:
Sumich, A.
Secondary author(s):
Wilson, D., Blagden, N.
Number of reproductions:
3
Keywords:
Psychophysiology and Parapsychology / Ganzfeld studies / Brain structure and function / Personality factors / Altered states of consciousness / Hallucinations

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2012-066.01
Location: Arquivo PCA - Pasta 25/2012
Title:
Final report - Body and soul: A computational neurophysiological and qualitative investigation of Ganzfeld-induced imagery
Publication year: 2017
Accessibility:
Document exists in file
Copyright/Reproduction:
By permission
Language:
eng
Author:
Sumich, A.
Secondary author(s):
Blagden, N., Anderson, J.
Document type:
Final report
Number of reproductions:
3
Indexed document:
No
Keywords: Ganzfeld / Electroencephalography / Alpha / Schizotypy / Mental imagery / Perceptual anomalies
DocumentAbsorption and spiritual experience: A review of evidence and potential mechanisms2019

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-2016-174
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
174 - Learning to sense God: How cognitive absorption and mental training shape religious experience
Duration: 2019-02 - 2023-01
Researcher(s):
Michael Lifshitz, Tanya Luhrmann, Amir Raz
Institution(s): McGill University & Montreal Neurological Institute (Canada); Department of Anthropology, Stanford University, California (USA)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Progress report
Final report
Article
Language: eng
Author:
Lifshitz, M.
Secondary author(s):
Luhrmann, T., Raz, A.
Number of reproductions:
3
Keywords:
God / Neuroimaging / Prayer / Neuroplasticity / Parapsychology and Psychophysiology

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2016-174.02
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
Absorption and spiritual experience: A review of evidence and potential mechanisms
Publication year: 2019
URL:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053810018305257
Abstract/Results: ABSTRACT:
Some people seem to have a ‘talent’ for spiritual experience: they readily sense the presence of supernatural beings, receive special messages from God, and report intense feelings of self-transcendence, awe and wonder. Here we review converging strands of evidence to argue that the trait of 'absorption' captures a general proclivity for having spiritual experiences. Participants scoring highly on the Tellegen Absorption Scale report vivid experiences of hearing God's voice during prayer, intense mystical experiences in response to psychedelics or placebo brain-stimulation, and strong feelings of presence and transcendence when confronted with natural beauty, virtual reality, or music. Several mechanisms may help to explain the relationship between absorption and spiritual experience. We suggest that absorption captures an experiential mindset that intensifies inner and outer sensory experience in ways that reflect both prior expectation and novel sensory engagement. It seems to enable that which must be imagined to feel more real.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Copyright/Reproduction:
By permission
Language:
eng
Author:
Lifshitz, M.
Secondary author(s):
van Elk, M., Luhrmann, T. M.
Document type:
Article
Number of reproductions:
3
Percentiles:
84.05|1.88
Reference:
Lifshitz, M., van Elk, M., & Luhrmann, T. M. (2019). Absorption and spiritual experience: A review of evidence and potential mechanisms. Consciousness and Cognition, 73: 102760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2019.05.008
2-year Impact Factor: 2.044|2019
Times cited: 108|2026-02-11
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q2
Keywords: Absorption / Spiritual experiences / Prayer / Mystical experiences / Individual differences / Hypnosis / Mental imagery / Agency / Voice hearing / Visions

Absorption and spiritual experience: A review of evidence and potential mechanisms

Absorption and spiritual experience: A review of evidence and potential mechanisms
Document346 - Crossmodal perception in blind individuals: Neural mechanisms and the role of mental imagery2021-01

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-2020
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
2020 Grants
Start date: 2021-01

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2020-346
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
346 - Crossmodal perception in blind individuals: Neural mechanisms and the role of mental imagery
Duration: 2021-01
Researcher(s):
Aline de Borst
Institution(s): Institute of Psychology, Department of Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology, Hamburg University (Germany); Maastricht University (The Netherlands)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Language: eng
Notes:
Ongoing proejct
Author: de Borst, A. W.
Number of reproductions:
1
Keywords:
Crossmodal plasticity / Blindness / Mental imagery / High-field fMRI / Psychophysiology
DocumentFinal report - Reconstructing faces from fMRI patterns using deep generative neural networks2021

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-2016-109
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
109 - Mental imagery in the human brain: In space and time
Duration: 2017-06 - 2021-01
Researcher(s):
Leila Reddy
Institution(s): Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition - CerCo, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Toulouse (France)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Progress report
Final report
Articles
Author: Reddy, L.
Number of reproductions:
1
Keywords:
Mental imagery / Top-down processes / Intracranial EEG, fMRI, LFPs in humans / Space and time / Psychophysiology

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2016-109.01
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
Final report - Reconstructing faces from fMRI patterns using deep generative neural networks
Publication year: 2021
URL:
https://www.bial.com/media/3488/mental-imagery-in-the-human-brain.pdf
Abstract/Results: ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Mental imagery is the ability to voluntarily generate internal representations via topdown modulation, without any concurrent bottom-up input.
AIMS
While viewed and imagined objects from different categories can be reliably decoded from
fMRI brain response patterns, it has proved more difficult to distinguish visually similar inputs,
such as different instances of the same category. Here, we aimed to reconstruct the face a subject
was looking at or imagining, and to investigate the time course of visual perception and mental
imagery with intracranial EEG.
METHOD
We applied a recently developed deep learning system to the reconstruction of face images from human fMRI patterns. We trained a variational auto-encoder (VAE) neural network using a GAN (Generative Adversarial Network) unsupervised training procedure over a large dataset of celebrity faces. The auto-encoder latent space provides a meaningful, topologically organized 1024-dimensional description of each image. We then presented several thousand face images to human subjects, and learned a simple linear mapping between the multi-voxel fMRI activation patterns and the 1024 latent dimensions. Finally, we applied this mapping to novel test images, turning the obtained fMRI patterns into VAE latent codes, and ultimately the codes into face reconstructions.
The time course of mental imagery was examined with intra-cranial EEG. Participants were asked to view or imagine different object categories. Using MVPA techniques we decoded object information during visual perception and mental imagery.
RESULTS
Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the fMRI reconstructions revealed robust pairwise decoding (>95% correct), and a strong improvement relative to a baseline model (PCA decomposition). Furthermore, the technique allowed for accurate gender classification, and decoding which face was imagined, rather than seen by the subject. Decoding performance with the intracranial EEG signals revealed robust decoding between perception and imagery, and also robust item-level decoding in both conditions.
CONCLUSIONS
We hypothesize that the latent space of modern deep learning generative models could serve as a valid approximation for human brain representations. Furthermore, we show that the neural signatures of visual object information during perception and imagery are robust and allow for successful decoding. These representations share common information during the perception and imagery conditions.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Language:
eng
Author:
Reddy, L.
Document type:
Final report
Number of reproductions:
1
Reference:
Reddy, L. (2021). Final report - Reconstructing faces from fMRI patterns using deep generative neural networks.
Indexed document: No
Keywords: Mental imagery / Intracranial EEG / Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) / LFPs in humans

Final report - Reconstructing faces from fMRI patterns using deep generative neural networks

Final report - Reconstructing faces from fMRI patterns using deep generative neural networks
DocumentThe matter dreams are made of: a dictionary-based analysis and categorization of dream reports2022

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-2020
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
2020 Grants
Start date: 2021-01

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2020-091
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
091 - Mentation report analysis across distinct states of consciousness: A linguistic approach
Duration: 2021-02 - 2024-02
Researcher(s):
Giulio Bernardi, Giulia Avvenuti, Michele Bellesi, Valentina Elce, Emanuela Merelli
Institution(s): IMT School for Advanced Studies, Lucca (Italy); University of Camerino (Italy)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Progress report
Final report
Articles
Language: eng
Author:
Bernardi, G.
Secondary author(s):
Avvenuti, G., Bellesi, M., Elce, V., Merelli, E.
Number of reproductions:
1
Keywords:
Dreams / Daydreaming / Language / Consciousness / Psychophysiology

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2020-091.04
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
The matter dreams are made of: a dictionary-based analysis and categorization of dream reports
Publication year: 2022
URL:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2022.05.123
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Language:
eng
Author:
Elce, V.
Secondary author(s):
Lomi, F., Bergamo, D., Capriglia, E., Avvenuti, G., Bellesi, M., Handjaras, G., Bernardi, G.
Document type:
Abstract
Number of reproductions:
1
Reference:
Elce, V., Lomi, F., Bergamo, D., Capriglia, E., Avvenuti, G., Bellesi, M., Handjaras, G., & Bernardi, G. (2022). The matter dreams are made of: a dictionary-based analysis and categorization of dream reports. Sleep Medicine, 100(Supplement 1), S41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2022.05.123
Indexed document: No
Keywords: Verbal reports / Sleep quality / Mental imagery
File025 - Brain basis of mental imagery2025-03

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-2024
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
2024 Grants
Start date: 2025-01

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2024-025
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
025 - Brain basis of mental imagery
Duration: 2025-03
Researcher(s):
Juha Silvanto, Kristian Sandberg
Institution(s): Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau (China); Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aarhus (Denmark)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Language: eng
Notes:
Ongoing project
Author: Silvanto, J.
Secondary author(s):
Sandberg, K.
Number of reproductions:
1
Keywords:
Mental imagery / Brain structure / Brain connectivity / Psychophysiology
DocumentAutosuggestion and mental imagery bias the perception of social emotions2025

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-2018-296
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
296 - The power of mind: Altering cutaneous sensations by autosuggestion
Duration: 2019-07 - 2023-11
Researcher(s):
Elena Azanon, Esther Kuehn
Institution(s): Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg (Germany)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Progress report
Final report
Articles
Language: eng
Author:
Azanon, E.
Secondary author(s):
Kuehn, E.
Number of reproductions:
3
Keywords:
Autosuggestion / Somatosensory perception / Ultra-high resolution fMRI / Electorencephalography / Psychophysiology and Parapsychology

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2018-296.05
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
Autosuggestion and mental imagery bias the perception of social emotions
Publication year: 2025
URL:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2025.106235
Abstract/Results: ABSTRACT:
Cognitive processes that modulate social emotion perception are of pivotal interest for psychological and clinical research. Autosuggestion and mental imagery are two candidate processes for such a modulation, however, their precise effects on social emotion perception remain uncertain. Here, we investigated how autosuggestion and mental imagery, employed during an adaptation period, influence the subsequent perception of facial emotions, and to which extent. Separate cohorts of participants took part in five experiments, where they either mentally affirmed (autosuggested; Experiments 1a and 1b) or imagined (Experiment 2) that a neutral face would be expressing a specific emotion (happy or sad). Subsequent facial emotion perception was then assessed by calculating points of subjective equality (PSEs) along a happiness-sadness continuum. Our results show that both autosuggestion and mental imagery induce a bias towards perceiving facial emotions in the direction of the desired emotion, with larger Bayes factors supporting autosuggestion. Experiment 3 confirmed the absence of effects when emotional words were presented together with a neutral face, suggesting a limited role of response bias in driving this effect. Finally, experiment 4 validated the experimental setup by demonstrating standard contrastive aftereffects when participants were adapted to actual, physical emotional faces. Together, our findings provide an initial step towards understanding the potential of intentional cognitive processes to modulate social emotions, specifically by biasing emotional face perception. With comparable effect sizes observed for both autosuggestion and mental imagery, both strategies show promise for self-directed interventions. Their practical applicability may vary due to individual responses, preferred cognitive strategies, and potential overlaps in underlying cognitive mechanisms.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Copyright/Reproduction:
By permission
Language:
eng
Author:
Myga, K. A.
Secondary author(s):
Longo, M. R., Kuehn, E., Azañón, E.
Document type:
Article
Number of reproductions:
3
Percentiles:
0.00|0.00
Reference:
Myga, K. A., Longo, M. R., Kuehn, E., & Azañón, E. (2025). Autosuggestion and mental imagery bias the perception of social emotions. Cognition, 264, 106235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2025.106235
2-year Impact Factor: 2.8|2024
Impact factor notes: Impact factor not available yet for 2025
Times cited: 0|2026-02-17
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q1
Keywords: Adaptation after effects / Autosuggestion / Cognitive modulation / Emotion perception / Mental imagery
DocumentIndividual variability in mental imagery vividness does not predict perceptual interference with imagery: A replication study of Cui et al. (2007)2025

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-2022-320
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
320 - Psychophysiology of the blind mind: Shedding light on memories without imagery
Duration: 2024-01
Researcher(s):
Elena Azañón, Max-Philipp Stenner
Institution(s): Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg (Germany)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Progress report
Article
Language: eng
Notes:
Ongoing project
Author: Azañón, E.
Secondary author(s):
Stenner, M. P.
Number of reproductions:
1
Keywords:
Aphantasia / Imagery / Episodic memory / Magnetoencephalography / Psychophysiology

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2022-320.03
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
Individual variability in mental imagery vividness does not predict perceptual interference with imagery: A replication study of Cui et al. (2007)
Publication year: 2025
URL:
https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001756
Abstract/Results: ABSTRACT:
Vivid visual mental imagery is thought to influence perceptual processing, but much of the current knowledge on this comes from one highly cited, though underpowered (N = 8) study from 2007, which found that more vivid imagery increases interference between imagined and perceptual content. However, that study has not been repeated since. We therefore conducted a conceptual (Experiment 1) and direct (Experiment 2) replication study. In Experiment 1, we recruited 185 online participants across the mental imagery spectrum, including individuals with self-reported aphantasia (impoverished or absent mental imagery) and hyperphantasia (extremely vivid imagery). In Experiment 2, we recruited 56 participants, 28 with self-reported aphantasia and 28 gender- and age-matched typical imagers. Consistent with the original 2007 study’s interpretation, we predicted that those with more vivid imagery would exhibit stronger imagery-perception interference, as measured by decreased performance in a priming task when a color and word were congruent (e.g., red prime, word “RED”) compared to incongruent (e.g., blue prime, word “RED”). We were unable to replicate this effect in either experiment. Instead, we observed performance benefits for color–word congruency across the mental imagery spectrum, with no difference in the magnitude of this effect across imagery ability or vividness, even among those with extreme imagery variations (aphantasia, hyperphantasia). Interestingly, we observed a relationship between a measure of mental imagery externalism and the congruency effect, suggesting that individuals with the ability to project their mental images into the external environment (i.e., prophantasia) may exhibit stronger congruency effects. The results of this study challenge our current understanding of the role of mental imagery in perception.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Language:
eng
Author:
Azañón, E.
Secondary author(s):
Pounder, Z., Figueroa, A., Reeder, R. R.
Document type:
Article
Number of reproductions:
1
Percentiles:
94.60|5.13
Reference:
Azañón, E., Pounder, Z., Figueroa, A., & Reeder, R. R. (2025). Individual variability in mental imagery vividness does not predict perceptual interference with imagery: A replication study of Cui et al. (2007). Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 154(7), 2043–2057. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001756
2-year Impact Factor: 3.5|2024
Impact factor notes: Impact factor not available yet for 2025
Times cited: 4|2026-02-19
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q1
Keywords: Aphantasia / Hyperphantasia / Mental imagery / Perceptual interference / Prophantasia

Individual variability in mental imagery vividness does not predict perceptual interference with imagery: A replication study of Cui et al. (2007)

Individual variability in mental imagery vividness does not predict perceptual interference with imagery: A replication study of Cui et al. (2007)