The Cognition and Brain Plasticity group of research is located at the Bellvitge Health Science Campus at the University of Barcelona,
Bellvitge Hospital in Hospitalet de Llobregat, near Barcelona (Spain). The group is adscribed
to the Department of Basic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology - University of Barcelona and the IDIBELL (Institut d'Investigació
Biomédica de Bellvitge). The group belongs to the research Consolidated Group "Cognitive Neurodynamics and Mental Disorders". Its main focus of research is cognitive neuroscience of language and
executive function, particularly on language learning, bilingual processing and human action monitoring
(human error detection and correction processes). To reach this goal we use a combination of different
neuroimaging techniques (electrophysiological and magnetic resonance imaging) that are crucial in order
to better understand human cognitive functions.
The last years we have also been very interested in developing new paradigms related
to the main research questions in which we are currently interested: how do we learn a new language?
In this respect, we have carried out a large number of experiments with the aim of evaluating and
testing different models, which will be further explored using neuroimaging tools. Also,
we have been also studying in which degree genetic variability related to certain neurotransmitters
(dopamine) influences cognitive processing, and specially, the way in which we process erroneous
actions and reward experiences. Finally we are interested in brain plasticity. In this line, we are involved in the use of musical therapy for therapeutic use
in patients with stroke.
Spanish-dominant bilinguals showed great difficulty in rejecting experimental nonwords.
EFECTO DE LA MÚSICA EN PACIENTES CON ÍCTUS
Nuestro grupo está desarrolando un estudio para conocer la efectividad de una nueva terapia musical de recuperación de la mobilidad de las extremidades superiores (mano o brazo) en personas que han sufrido un íctus (accidente vascular cerebral: infarto o derrame cerebral). El estudio, todavía en fase experimental, se basa en la hipótesis que la música activa partes del cerebro que rigen la actividad motora del cuerpo. Los resultados preliminares, publicados en revistas internacionales, destacan las mejoras observadas en algunos pacientes utilizando esta terapia y en comparación con otras terapias motoras convencionales.
Si está interesado en tener más información sobre este proyecto o participar en el mismo puede contactar en el correo electrónico brainvitge@gmail.com.