The research mainly aims to the study of the physiological mechanisms related to the visual perception of movement and attentional functions, whose integrations generate complex behavioral responses geared towards extrapersonal space.
Visual perception of self-motion. Study of the visual system and cortical mechanisms to form a stable internal representation of the extrapersonal space. Such representation is essential for planning the correct motor action and for the implementation of specific cognitive functions such as attention and intention. Main goal of the research is the study of the neural encoding of perceptual processes that allow a subject to use the information contained in the extrapersonal environment to plan and guide the proper movements.
Neural basis of cortical variability. It is known that the majority of cerebral energy consumption supports intrinsic metabolic activity. The brain is mainly driven by internal dynamics and external stimuli modulate its activity. The cerebral energy consumption is then changed when the metabolic resources are temporarily redistributed for the execution of cognitive tasks. The purpose of this research is to identify the properties of the resting state networks and quantify their changes during the execution of attentional task.
Visual perception in the postural control. Vision provides the necessary information on the surrounding environment and the presence or absence of a visual stimulus can significantly affect posture and locomotion. This research aims to assess the influence of the optic flow stimuli on postural muscles. The objective is to verify the influence of various types of visual stimuli on posture within the interaction with the environment.
Visual perception and eye movements. The attentional behavior and oculomotor system are closely related. The execution of a saccade towards an object is preceded by the orientation of attention towards the same goal. The purpose of the study is to quantify the attentional shift by analyzing the characteristics of microsaccades.
