Ongoing Projects
Stay up to date with our current research and collaborations. Here, you’ll find an overview of ongoing projects exploring language neuroscience from various angles, including neurovariability, joint functional-structural networks, and the morphospace. Check back for updates on findings, publications, and new directions.
01
Neurovariability
Neurovariability refers to differences in brain anatomy across individuals and within the same brain over time. These variations can be observed in cortical thickness, gyrification, white matter connectivity, and other neuroanatomical features. Structural neurovariability is linked to cognitive diversity, resilience, and neurological conditions, offering insights into brain development, ageing, and adaptability. In this project, we investigate the magnitude of structural variability and its functional significance, aiming to understand what these differences mean for cognition, behaviour, and neurological health.
FUNDED BY THE DONDERS MOHRMANN FELLOWSHIP
02
Understanding how the brain controls speech and why it changes with disease
Speech is a complex human skill, and scientists do not fully understand how the brain produces it, especially in people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Nearly 90% of people with PD have speech problems like unclear or monotonous speech. This project aims to map the brain networks involved in speaking by using advanced brain imaging and a technique called deep brain stimulation (DBS) to identify specific neural circuits linked to speech. By also studying how these speech problems connect to brain changes, we hope to understand how the brain controls speech and guide better treatments for speech difficulties in PD.
FUNDED BY THE NWO SSH OPEN COMPETITION
03
Functional Dynamic White Matter Network of Language
Functional dynamic white matter refers to the brain’s ability to adapt its structural connections to support cognitive functions in real-time. Unlike the traditional view of white matter as static, emerging research highlights its role in flexible communication between brain regions. Understanding how white matter dynamically interacts during language processing can shed light on adaptation and cognitive dynamics in the healthy brain.
FUNDED BY THE INTERNATIONAL MAX PLANCK RESEARCH SCHOOL (IMPRS)
04
Wired for growth - language development
This project explores how learning and using multiple languages shapes brain development. By studying multilingual individuals across different ages, we aim to understand how the brain adapts to managing multiple linguistic systems and the neural mechanisms that support language flexibility. This research provides insights into how multilingual experience influences brain structure and function.
FUNDED BY THE DI RESEARCH STIMULATION FUND
