Pupiltraits (3rd Party H2020 UNIPI) (DSB.AD004.274)
Thematic area
Project area
Neuroscienze (DSB.AD004)Structure responsible for the research project
Institute of neuroscience (IN)
Project manager
GUIDOMARCO CICCHINI
Phone number: 0506213185
Email: cicchini@in.cnr.it
Abstract
PUPILTRAITS will measure visual processing with both classic and new methods, including pupil responses, ultra-high field Magnetic Resonance of human visual cortex, and psychophysics. Based on solid pilot data, we predict that differences in behavioral and cortical properties co-vary with personality traits, providing new reliable biomarkers of the local context-independent perception associated with autistics traits, even in young children (using pupillometry). These tools will also reveal changes of perception within individuals: during a safe and simple physiological intervention (such as ketosis), to show that early visual processing can be altered by acting on metabolism, and that this consequently affects holistic/local perceptual styles.
Goals
The aim of the project is to provide new knowledge on the relationship between metabolism, cortical processing and perception. This has the potential for a strong societal impact: it can change our understanding of pervasive developmental disorders, like Autistic Spectrum Disorders, characterized by a different way of processing incoming information; it can aid their diagnosis through objective evaluation of perceptual styles, and encourage innovative therapeutic approaches aimed at changing perception and behavior by acting on general physiology: how we eat and exercise
Start date of activity
01/03/2019
Keywords
Biomarkers, Cortical vision
Last update: 22/05/2025