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Dr C Mevorach
Applications accepted all year round
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition diagnosed on the basis of a triad of behavioural impairments: impaired social interaction, impaired communication and restricted and repetitive interests and activities. Although the above impairments are highly identifiable, numerous studies have demonstrated that autism is heterogeneous in its presentation. In order to better understand Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is critical to know how individuals with ASD ‘see’ the world. There are mounting reports that autistic individuals often concentrate on the ‘parts’ of stimuli and find it difficult to see the ‘whole’. On the other hand individuals with ASD can be good at tasks such as estimation, where seeing the whole is useful. How can we reconcile these different reports?
In the present project we will use newly evolving procedures to help us understand perception and attention in ASD. We will test whether individuals with ASD are necessarily constrained to attend to local parts, or whether ASD is linked to an increased response to the ‘salience’ of stimuli – a point previously noted in the responses of ASD individuals in face and pitch perception. If individuals are ‘overwhelmed’ by the salience of what they see, then they may focus attention on local parts as a fall-back strategy. However, there may be ways to change this behaviour so that the ‘de-fault’ of attention to local elements is changed. This will be evaluated here.
The project will involve behavioural as well as neuroimaging (fMRI) testing of individuals with ASD and will be conducted in the Behavioural Brain Sciences Centre and Birmingham University Imaging Centre (BUIC)
In the present project we will use newly evolving procedures to help us understand perception and attention in ASD. We will test whether individuals with ASD are necessarily constrained to attend to local parts, or whether ASD is linked to an increased response to the ‘salience’ of stimuli – a point previously noted in the responses of ASD individuals in face and pitch perception. If individuals are ‘overwhelmed’ by the salience of what they see, then they may focus attention on local parts as a fall-back strategy. However, there may be ways to change this behaviour so that the ‘de-fault’ of attention to local elements is changed. This will be evaluated here.
The project will involve behavioural as well as neuroimaging (fMRI) testing of individuals with ASD and will be conducted in the Behavioural Brain Sciences Centre and Birmingham University Imaging Centre (BUIC)
Funding Notes
Up to 10 fully funded PhD studentships are available. For more information see:
http://www.psychology.bham.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships.shtml
http://www.psychology.bham.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships.shtml
References
Mevorach C, Shalev L, Allen HA, Humphreys GW, (2009). Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 21:2, 303-315.
Mevorach C, Humphreys GW, Shalev L, (2009). Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 21:6, 1204-1214.
Mevorach C, Humphreys GW, Shalev L, (2006). Nature Neuroscience, 9:6, 740-742.
Happe F, Frith U, (2006). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36:1, 5-25
Mottron L, Dawson M, Soulieres I, Hubert B, Burack J, (2006). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36:1, 27-43
Mevorach C, Humphreys GW, Shalev L, (2009). Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 21:6, 1204-1214.
Mevorach C, Humphreys GW, Shalev L, (2006). Nature Neuroscience, 9:6, 740-742.
Happe F, Frith U, (2006). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36:1, 5-25
Mottron L, Dawson M, Soulieres I, Hubert B, Burack J, (2006). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36:1, 27-43
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Career overview
Dr Carmel Mevorach completed an undergraduate degree in psychology and computer sciences at Tel Aviv University, Israel. He developed a new computerised assessment and training batteries for children and adults with ADHD in collaboration with Professor Tsal and Professor Shalev. Following this, he pursued a PhD at the University of Birmingham under the supervision of Professor Glyn Humphreys, focusing on mechanisms of salience-based selection. After completing his PhD, Dr Mevorach held several postdoctoral positions funded by the ESRC and MRC before taking up a lectureship position in 2010. He is currently an Associate Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Birmingham, where he leads research on the mechanisms of top-down attention control and how individual factors, such as autistic traits and normal aging, influence attention mechanisms at the neural level.
Research interests
Dr Mevorach''s research focuses on mechanisms of top-down attention control, which are central to various cognitive functions. His work aims to unravel how individual factors, such as autistic traits and normal aging, mediate attention mechanisms at the neural level. He employs methodologies including brain stimulation (TMS/tDCS) and brain imaging (fMRI) to investigate brain mechanisms of attention control. One aspect of his research examines the interaction between attention control and implementation in the brain, providing neurocognitive markers of attention performance. These markers are used to study atypical attention in patients with brain lesions, neurodevelopmental disorders (such as ADHD and Autism), and in normal ageing. Dr Mevorach''s research also explores how visual attention processes are intertwined with motor control and their interaction with perceptual learning. His lab''s work supports a translational approach to computerised attention training and perceptual learning, aiming to benefit individuals in various contexts, including those recovering from stroke, individuals with ADHD, Autism, and older adults.
Cognitive Neuroscience
Attention Control
Top-Down Attention
Neural Mechanisms
Autistic Traits
Normal Ageing
Brain Imaging
Brain Stimulation
Attention Intervention
Perceptual Learning
Atypical Attention
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
ADHD
Autism
Motor Control
Salience-Based Selection
Neurocognitive Markers
Attention Training
Computerised Attention Training
Translational Research
