Феурра Маттео
Институт когнитивных нейронаук
Профессиональные интересы
Должности
- Доцент — Институт когнитивных нейронаук
Био
- · Начал работать в НИУ ВШЭ в 2014 году.
- · Научно-педагогический стаж: 11 лет.
Образование
- 2009 · PhD: Флорентийский университет, специальность 19.00.02 «Психофизиология», 19.00.00 «Психологические науки», 03.03.06 «Нейробиология»
- 2004 · Специалитет: Университет Флоренции, специальность «Психология», квалификация «Специалист»
- — · 2004 Laurea in Psicologia Sperimentale (пятигодичная комбинированная программа бакалавриат-магистратура по специальности Экспериментальная Психология), Флорентийский университет. 2009 PhD в Экспериментальной Психологии, Факультет Психологии, Флорентийский университет. Научные руководители: Prof. Nicoletta Berardi and Maria Pia Viggiano.
Опыт работы
- · 2014: с года НИУ ВШЭ
Гранты и проекты
- — · на соискание учёной степени кандидата наук
Конференции (5)
Показать все
- · 2016: Third annual conference Communication, Computation, and Cognitive Processes (СССР3) (Moscow). Доклад: The BDNF val66met polymorphism affects the level of processing effect of memory: A deep and shallow rTMS study
- · 2016: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MEMORY (ICOM6) (Budapest). Доклад: Frequency-specific insight into short-term memory capacity
- · 2016: SOCIETY FOR NEUROSCIENCE (Chicago). Доклад: State-dependent impact of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation of the motor mirror system
- · 2015: 1st Moscow Conference with International Participation “TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION: FROM CURRENT STATE-OF-ART TO FUTURE HORIZONS” (Moscow). Доклад: STATE-DEPENDENT EFFECTS OF TRANSCRANIAL ALTERNATING CURRENT STIMULATION OF THE MOTOR SYSTEM
- · 2015: Summer Neurolinguistic School "Language and Brain Pathology". Доклад: Neuromodulation Treatment in Aphasia
Идентификаторы исследователя
- ORCID:
0000-0003-0934-6764 - ResearcherID:
K-1524-2019 - Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=0xvTt84AAAAJ&hl=it
- Scopus AuthorID:
15047818300
Публикации (69)
Motor imagery perspective shapes corticospinal excitability with effector-specific effects
2026 · ARTICLE · en
Motor imagery (MI) allows individuals to mentally simulate movements without execution, engaging neural pathways that overlap with those used during real actions. However, how imagery perspective influences corticospinal excitability across different effectors remains unclear. Using neuronavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), we compared kinesthetic (KMI), first-person visual (VMI-1PP), and third-person visual (VMI-3PP) imagery of elbow flexion-extension in nineteen healthy adults. Single-pulse TMS was synchronized with a metronome marking the imagined peak contraction, and motor-evoked potentials were recorded from upper-arm and intrinsic hand muscles. All imagery types enhanced corticospinal excitability relative to a pacing-only baseline. For upper-arm muscles, VMI-3PP and KMI produced stronger facilitation than VMI-1PP, with no difference between KMI and VMI-3PP. In contrast, intrinsic hand muscles showed similar facilitation across all imagery types. These findings reveal that imagery perspective and effector interact to shape corticospinal output: proximal muscles are more sensitive to perspective, whereas distal muscles respond uniformly. The observation that third-person visual imagery can match kinesthetic imagery in enhancing corticospinal excitability highlights its potential as a practical and effective strategy for training and neurorehabilitation.
Functional segregation of rostral and caudal hippocampus in associative memory
2025 · ARTICLE · en
Introduction: The hippocampus plays a crucial role in episodic memory. Given its complexity, the hippocampus participates in multiple aspects of higher cognitive functions, among which are semantics-based encoding and retrieval. However, the “where,” “when” and “how” of distinct aspects of memory processing in the hippocampus are still under debate. Methods: Here, we employed a visual associative memory task that involved encoding three levels of subjective congruence to delineate the differential involvement of the rostral and caudal portions (also referred as anterior/posterior portions) of the human hippocampus during memory encoding, recognition and associative recall. Results: Through stereo-EEG recordings in epilepsy patients we show that associative memory is reflected by rostral hippocampal activity during encoding, and caudal hippocampal activity during retrieval. In contrast, recognition memory encoding selectively activates the rostral hippocampus. The temporal dynamics of memory processing are manifested by gamma power increase, which partially overlaps with low-frequency power decrease during encoding and retrieval. Congruence levels modulate low-frequency activity prominently in the caudal hippocampus. Discussion: These findings highlight an anatomical segregation in the hippocampus in accordance with the contributions of its partitions to associative and recognition memory.
Motor resonance and inhibitory mechanisms in action observation as revealed by corticospinal excitability
2025 · ARTICLE · en
Motor resonance (MoR) refers to the automatic activation of motor circuits during action observation, reflecting an internal simulation of the observed movement. This phenomenon is thought to arise from the activity of mirror neuron regions, which modulate primary motor cortex (M1) excitability via cortico-cortical pathways. MoR, which is believed to be involved in the mechanism underlying action understanding and motor learning, has been widely studied using visual stimuli and transcranialmagnetic stimulation (TMS). However, the optimal form of movement presentation and TMS timing remains unclear. This study compared the effects of static photographs and videos on the MoR activation and explored the ideal timing for TMS. Participants observed abduction movements of the index finger (controlled by the first dorsal interosseous muscle, FDI) and the little finger (controlled by the abductor digiti minimi muscle, ADM) presented as photographs or videos. The task included three conditions: Photo (static images), Video (full movement videos), and Postvideo (post-movement period). TMS was applied over the primary motor cortex at 0, 320, or 640 ms from movement onset (Photo, Video) and at the same intervals from movement offset (Postvideo). Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded from FDI and ADM. The Postvideo condition yielded the strongest MEP modulations, with inhibition in the non-matching muscle and excitation in the muscle corresponding tothe observed movement. In contrast, Photo and Video conditions showed time-dependent reductions in cortical excitability, especially in non-matching muscles. These findings suggest that applying TMS after movement observation provides a more accurate approach to studying MoR and highlights therole of motor surround inhibition in motor control.
A comprehensive approach to studying motor planning and execution using 3D-printed objects and motion tracking technology
2025 · ARTICLE · en
Background: Motor planning critically supports efficient hand grasping and object manipulation, involving the precise integration of sensory cues and anticipatory motor commands. Current methods often inadequately separate motor planning from movement execution, thus limiting our understanding of anticipatory motor control mechanisms. Objective: This study aimed to establish and validate a structured methodological approach to investigate motor planning and execution during grasping tasks, using advanced motion tracking technology and standardized 3D-printed geometric objects. Methods: Twenty-one participants performed a grasp-and-place task, requiring manipulation of abstract, non-semantic objects under varying rotation angles (0◦ , 90◦ , 180◦ , 270◦ ). High-resolution kinematic data were captured using an infrared motion tracking system (Smart-DX, BTS Bioengineering, Italy). Novel computational analyses segmented each trial into distinct phases: total movement, movement initiation, reaching, maximal grasp aperture, and object placement. Wrist path length and execution time of each phase were statistically analyzed to assess the influence of object rotation on motor planning and execution. Results: Object rotation significantly impacted motor planning, as evidenced by prolonged initiation times and altered grasp-related temporal parameters. Specifically, movements involving rotation demonstrated increased movement initiation times, greater grasp apertures, extended placement durations, and longer wrist trajectories compared to non-rotated conditions. Interestingly, symmetrical rotations (180◦) facilitated faster and more efficient movements compared to asymmetrical rotations (90◦, 270◦). Conclusion: Our validated methodological framework enables precise isolation and assessment of motor planning processes during grasping movements. This paradigm provides robust tools for fundamental motor control research and has potential clinical applications for evaluating motor planning deficits in patients with neurological impairments.
Программное обеспечение для анализа движений захвата и переноса рукой: возможности применения в когнитивных и нейрофизиологических исследованиях
2025 · ARTICLE · ru
Цель исследования. Представить программное обеспечение Kinematic 4, предназначенное для автоматизированного анализа кинематических характеристик действий захвата и переноса объектов рукой на основе данных, полученных с помощью систем захвата движения. Материалы и методы. Программа разработана на языке Python и реализует алгоритмы автоматического определения ключевых временных точек двигательного акта. Исходная алгоритмическая структура была апробирована ранее в среде MATLAB и адаптирована в виде кроссплатформенного настольного приложения с графическим интерфейсом. Kinematic 4 позволяет анализировать координатные данные, полученные от трекеров, размещенных на пальцах, запястье, объекте и специализированных очках с подвижной створкой. Программа определяет шесть временных маркеров, соответствующих этапам выполнения действия: начало эксперимента, начало движения кисти, начало раскрытия пальцев, максимальная апертура захвата, начало подъема объекта и его опускание. Результаты. Сравнительный анализ результатов, полученных с помощью Kinematic 4 и ранее разработанного MATLAB-скрипта, показал полное соответствие. Программа успешно прошла верификацию на экспериментальных данных и продемонстрировала стабильную работу. Благодаря интуитивно понятному интерфейсу и автоматизации расчётов, Kinematic 4 обеспечивает воспроизводимый и удобный инструмент для научных и клинических исследований. Выводы. Программное обеспечение может быть эффективно использовано для оценки движений руки в нейронаучных и клинических задачах, включая диагностику моторных нарушений и мониторинг восстановительных процессов. В перспективе возможна интеграция с другими биофизическими сигналами и внедрение элементов интеллектуального анализа данных.
Is There a Link Between Motor Learning and Mirror Neuron System: TMS Study
2025 · ARTICLE · en
We observed a statistically significant decrease in reaction time during the process of learning within the SRT task and motor facilitation during action observation, thus reflecting putative mirror neuron activity. We found a significant correlation between the learning speed of the non-dominant hand and mirror neuron activation in the dominant hemisphere during the observation of button presses and pinch gestures.
Weight Perturbations for Simulating Virtual Lesions in a Convolutional Neural Network
2024 · CHAPTER · en
Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) match human performance in many visual tasks like the classification of images, however they may not simulate the underlying biological processes. We implemented a CNN to try replicate results from an object inversion experiment with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). After training on upright faces, the CNN model went through three stages of testing: checking (1) for overall accuracy, (2) for the presence of the Face Inversion Effect (FIE) and (3) for an FIE reduction after weight perturbations. Results of the model were compared with human performance in an analogous experiment, where disruption of the extrastriate cortex (the Occipital Face Area (OFA) and the control Occipital Place Area (OPA)) was performed using TMS. The resulting model (1) showed a level of accuracy similar to humans, but (2) did not show the FIE, but rather showed a general object inverted effect. Disruption with TMS (3) led to a reduction in the FIE, however disruption of model layers only led to reduction of the general object inverted effect. Thus, CNNs were observed to successfully simulate some results of objects recognition in general, but are unable to simulate the specific mechanisms of modularity and face processing. CNNs are certainly a useful metaphor for human visual processing, but it’s important to understand the limits of that metaphor if they are to be used as models in medicine and neuroscience.
Временной профиль активации системы зеркальных нейронов при наблюдении за движением. Исследование при помощи транскраниальной магнитной стимуляции
2024 · ARTICLE · ru
Introduction . The mirror neuron system (MNS) plays a key role in linking the perception of actions with their execution, being activated both during observation and during the execution of actions. Despite extensive research on the functional roles of MNS, the temporal dynamics of MNS activation in humans remains poorly understood. The aim of the study was to measure the temporal profile of the activity of the SZN during the observation of hand movements using transcranial magnetic stimulation at different time intervals (0, 320, 640, 1000, 1320, 1640 ms from the beginning of the demonstrated movement, time ranges from 1000 to 1640 ms correspond to the time interval after the end of the movement). Materials and methods . Twenty right-handed participants participated in an experiment using neuronavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation on the left primary motor cortex during observation of hand movements. Evoked motor responses were recorded from the first dorsal interosseous and abductor digiti minimi muscles at different moments relative to movement onset. Results : A three-way interaction between movement type, muscle, and time was found. Specific muscle responses and intermuscular differences became apparent at 640 ms and persisted into the post-movement period (1000, 1320, 1640 ms). Specifically, increased activation was observed in muscles associated with reproducing the action observed on the screen, whereas muscles unrelated to the movement performed showed reduced activation levels that became more pronounced over time. Выводы. Эти результаты раскрывают сложное возбуждающе-тормозное взаимодействие в CЗН, напоминающее моторное окружающее торможение. Расширенная временная активность СЗН предполагает их роль в обработке после завершения действия. Это исследование предоставляет новые данные о временной динамике СЗН и подчеркивает ее значение для стратегий моторной реабилитации. Необходимы дальнейшие исследования для изучения активности СЗН на более длительных временных отрезках.
Posterior parietal cortex is causally involved in reward valuation but not in probability weighting during risky choice
2024 · ARTICLE · en
This study provides evidence that the posterior parietal cortex is causally involved in risky decision making via the processing of reward values but not reward probabilities. In the within-group experimental design, participants performed a binary lottery choice task following transcranial magnetic stimulation of the right posterior parietal cortex, left posterior parietal cortex, and a right posterior parietal cortex sham (placebo) stimulation. The continuous theta-burst stimulation protocol supposedly downregulating the cortical excitability was used. Both, mean–variance and the prospect theory approach to risky choice showed that the posterior parietal cortex stimulation shifted participants toward greater risk aversion compared with sham. On the behavioral level, after the posterior parietal cortex stimulation, the likelihood of choosing a safer option became more sensitive to the difference in standard deviations between lotteries, compared with sham, indicating greater risk avoidance within the mean–variance framework. We also estimated the shift in prospect theory parameters of risk preferences after posterior parietal cortex stimulation. The hierarchical Bayesian approach showed moderate evidence for a credible change in risk aversion parameter toward lower marginal reward value (and, hence, lower risk tolerance), while no credible change in probability weighting was observed. In addition, we observed anecdotal evidence for a credible increase in the consistency of responses after the left posterior parietal cortex stimulation compared with sham.
Frontoparietal brain network plays a crucial role in working memory capacity during complex cognitive task
2024 · ARTICLE · en
Recent neurophysiological studies provide inconsistent results of fronto-parietal network stimulation for altering working memory capacity. This study aimed to boost working memory capacity by manipulating the activity of the fronto-parietal network via dual-site High-Definition transcranial direct current stimulation. Forty-eight participants were randomly assigned to three stimulation groups, receiving either simultaneous anodal stimulation of the frontal and parietal areas (double stimulation), or stimulation of the frontal area only (single stimulation), or the placebo stimulation (sham) to frontal and parietal areas. After the stimulation, we used an Operation Span task to test memory accuracy, mathematical accuracy, time of calculation and memorizing and recall response time across the three groups. The results revealed an enhancement of memory accuracy and a reduction of time of calculation in the double stimulation group compared to others. In addition, recall response time was significantly decreased in the double and single stimulation groups compared to sham. No differences in mathematical accuracy were observed. Our results confirm the pivotal role of the fronto-parietal network in working memory and suggest its functional dissociation, with the frontal component more implicated in the retrieval stage, and the parietal component in the processing and retention stages.
Курсы (3)
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Cognitive Neuroscience · 5 раза
2025/2026, 2024/2025, 2023/2024, 2022/2023, 2021/2022 · Курс обязательный / Магистратура / Маго-лего · Анг
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Multimodal Neuroimaging Part 2 · 3 раза
2025/2026, 2024/2025, 2023/2024 · Магистратура / Маго-лего · Анг
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Advanced Neuroimaging · 2 раза
2022/2023, 2021/2022 · Магистратура / Маго-лего · Анг