CERVISO · CEREBELLUM IN VISUALSPATIAL ORIENTATION

The Cerebellum in visual-spatial orientation (CERVISO) is inter-disciplinary, exchange program uses original and innovative research methods to investigate the role of cerebellum in optimization of motor control and spatial orientation. Toward this objective we will identify patterns of cerebellar functions using the saccadic eye movement model. We will study visual spatial exploration in normal subjects and in patients with cerebellar damage. The impact of this research will be to provide further instruments for understanding and modelling neural substrate of cerebellar functions during visual spatial exploration, with implications for diagnosis, and rehabilitation of cerebellar patients. The proposal will be implemented combining the efforts of three European groups and two USA groups. This will also enable researchers to be trained in technical, procedural and scientific aspects of the study by experienced organizations. Moreover this proposal will facilitate the transfer of knowledge among researchers with experience in different scientific fields and the study of rare genetic diseases clustered in specific regions. The European groups include a INSERM team of Neurologists and Neuropsychologists from Paris (France); a group of Neurologists and Bioengineering from the University of Siena (Italy); a group of Physicists from University of Iasi (Romania). The USA Groups are composed by a team of Bioengineering and Neuroscientists from Baltimore, and by a group of Neuroscientists and Bioengineers from Cleveland. This exchange program results from previous scientific and training collaborations among these groups and is projected for a sustainable long-term cooperation. The project has been selected for a Grant by the Local Institution (Regione Toscana) of Ministry for Research and Development that specifically support the application to this call.