EBRAMUS · Europe, Brain and Music: New perspectives for stimulating cognitive and sensory processes

EBRAMUS investigates an attractive, promising new research avenue at the intersection of neuroscience, the human sciences and new technologies: can music boost sensory, cognitive and motor development in normal and impaired children and adults? The project will assess this issue in an integrative way by combining behavioural, neurophysiological, neuropsychological and computational methods. Three research topics will cover both basic and clinical research using music in the rehabilitation of various patient populations and the elderly. The 1st topic focuses on the rehabilitation of auditory functions and language deficits, the 2nd focuses on the benefits of music for more general cognitive functions (learning, memory) and the 3d on timing behaviour and the use of music in motor rehabilitation. The overall project will increase our understanding of brain functioning and will have a tremendous impact on clinical and educational applications (developing new diagnostic tools, training and rehabilitation techniques, also leading to industrial developments) and for new music technology for the general public. EBRAMUS will foster strong links among partners at the forefront of this interdisciplinary research area. It provides an invaluable opportunity for young researches to gain state-of-the art knowledge in the field of cognitive neurosciences and interdisciplinary research by benefiting from exchanges within the network, from the offered training program (e.g., topical summer schools/workshops) and the project’s good balance between basic research and clinical approaches. The training will ultimately increase students’ career opportunities, thanks to the network’s academic and industrial partners. EBRAMUS partners present a strong network with common and complementary expertise, thus providing ideal multi-site and multidisciplinary training for young researchers and, more generally, providing the opportunity to considerably strengthen Europe’s position in the field.