Our Research
Our aim is to understand the neural circuits of complex sensory-motor behaviors that underpin social communication, specifically, speech and dance, and to identify possible therapies for speech and motor disorders.
Neurobiology of speech
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Which are the neural pathways underlying speech/spoken language in humans?
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Which are the neural pathways that subserve speech/spoken language learning in humans?
Neurobiology and genetics of dance
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Which are the neural pathways underlying dance and dance learning in humans, a complex motor behavior characterized by our ability to spontaneously entrain to rhythm?
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Are these pathways associated with the brain pathways that control speech?
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Are there signatures in our genomes associated with proficient dance performance?
Speech and dance therapy
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How can we use our knowledge on the neurobiology of speech and dance to propose and test treatments for deficits that include social communication impairments?
Approaches
We employ a multi-disciplinary approach to understand the neurobiology and underlying genetics of behaviors underlying social communication, such as speech and dance.
