Ongoing Projects

The traditional view of language as relying on isolated brain areas is increasingly challenged by clinical and anatomical evidence suggesting that it emerges from the dynamic interplay of distributed neural networks across cortical, subcortical, and white matter systems. Despite language’s centrality to human cognition, a unified anatomical model integrating structural, functional, and neurochemical foundations remains absent—limiting progress in our fundamental understanding and clinical translation of research results. The overarching goal of EMERGENCE is to uncover the anatomical principles underlying how language emerges in the brain while centring the multimodal integration at the heart of the investigation. By embracing linguistic diversity and bridging fundamental science with clinical applications, it promises to reshape our understanding of the anatomical principles underlying how language emerges in the brain—molecularly, structurally, functionally, computationally, and clinically.

FUNDED BY THE ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANT

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

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

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)

We are all unique human beings, and our interindividual differences have created the richness of our diverse communities and society. In the medical world, the quest for inter-individual variability has led to the new discipline

of precision medicine. However, we are only at the cusp of understanding how variable we are and what these differences mean for our behaviours and in a clinical setting. Recent advances in the sensitivity and specificity of neuroimaging methods indicate that our brains' variability — Neurovariability — determines our susceptibility to brain disorders and recovery after brain lesions. However, the magnitude of these differences has not yet been mapped as we needed to arrive at an era of large datasets and develop sophisticated computational algorithms. With the Human Connectome Project, the UKBiobank (UKB) and a new embedding algorithm that is unique in allowing

for single subject applications, we can truly understand what makes us unique and how neurovariability impacts clinical trajectories.

FUNDED BY AN NWO ASPASIA GRANT

Prosody is associated with the physical properties of the auditory signal such as fundamental frequency, intensity, and duration, and is crucial for transmitting a wide range of communicative functions, ranging from information packaging and performing speech acts to shaping the flow and emotional dynamics of the interaction. The social and ecological importance of prosody is evidenced by its associated effects in clinical settings, where prosody is vital in diagnosing, treating, and managing various communication disorders. While its potential is evident, prosody has not received the attention it merits in some scientific disciplines, and especially very little is known about the neural circuitry underlying prosody. In this project, we aim to contribute to the field by investigating the neural space and organization of prosody as well as the nature of neural interactions between prosody and diverse cognitive domains.

FUNDED BY THE DI RESEARCH STIMULATION FUND

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