I-brain: A neuropsychological analysis of social attention and cognitive control. (360G-Wellcome-106164_Z_14_Z)

I will ask 2 basic science and 2 translational questions that are key for understanding social cognition. The basic questions ask: (i) how can attention be controlled in social contexts and (ii) what are the necessary neural substrates of social attention? Previously I have shown that personally related stimuli can strongly determine the allocation of attention based on a distinct neural circuit. This then provides a model system for understanding social attention.The translational questions ask: (iii) can a clinically applicable screen for social cognition and attention be developed, and (iv) can problems in social attention be rehabilitated? These questions are addressed by evaluating effects of brain lesions on biasesto personally relevant stimuli using detailed behavioural measures combined with structural and functional MRI, exploiting a clinical screening programme for patient recruitment. The new screening tool developed for this, plus proofof principle rehabilitation procedures, will provide specific translational deliverables.