Moving to musical groove: Modulatory effect of emotions, and individual differences

Rhythmic music naturally urges us to move. This is visible when they spontaneously move or dance with music, even without being consciously aware of aligning movements to the musical pulse. Moving to the beat of the music (Auditory-Motor Synchronization – AMS) is a widespread behavior involving the fine coordination of a motor rhythm with an external rhythm which involves a complex neuronal network including both cortical and subcortical areas (such as the basal ganglia and the cerebellum) and cortical regions (such as the SMA and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex). Previous researches have shown that there is a tight link between brain networks subserving in processing emotions and motor control as well as duration perception. In this regard, The main goal of this project is to examine whether emotions conveyed by complex auditory stimuli, namely rhythmic music, affect AMS and if so, what are the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms supporting this effect. To reach this aim, we designed a project to investigate the behavioral aspects of emotional conditions and their relationships with AMS abilities.

Faculty Supervisor:

Simone Dalla Bella

Student:

Partner:

University of Verona

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Life Sciences (not health)

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: