Dear Users

Today (starting 4.30 pm in YNiC open plan) there will be 2 talks:

1) 2011/12 MSc project outcome Tim Andrews Title "Putting a name to a face - neural correlates of recognition?"

2) Project proposal presentation Nick Barraclough Title: "Visual Adaptation in the Mirror Neuron System"

Summary: "Visual adaptation occurs at a high level within the temporal lobe where social stimuli such as hand actions are coded. fMR-adaptation studies investigating the existence of a mirror neuron system in humans, however, has been equivocal. It is therefore not clear whether visual adaptation occurs within, or influences the representation of human actions within the mirror neuron system. We propose to use single pulse TMS over motor cortex and measure motor evoked potentials from the contralateral hand. Observation of hand actions results in an increase in MEP magnitude and provides a metric of current mirror neuron system activity. Participants will visually adapt to hand actions during the TMS. We will assess both the psychophysical measure of action adaptation as well as the physiological measure of adaptation in the mirror neuron system. An effect of visual adaptation on the mirror neuron system will be reflected by a change in motor evoked potential magnitude following adaptation."

Everyone is welcome to attend and refreshments will be provided afterwards.

Best wishes Rebecca