Cognition and Actions Lab

Research

Current research in the group covers several aspects of human motor behaviour, namely decision-making, a process allowing one to decide what to do next in dynamic and unpredictable environments, based on the consideration of multiple variables including perceptual evidence, reward rate, speed-accuracy trade-off, biomechanical constraints, personal goals, and so on; preparatory suppression, a phenomenon evidenced during action preparation and consisting of a drastic suppression of corticospinal excitability whose source and role are still largely debated; motor learning, a process through which motor skills are refined, and eventually generalized, based on sensory and reward feedbacks.

These aspects of human motor behaviour are investigated from various perspectives. For instance, at the moment, several experiments explore the functional role of Pupil-linked arousal in shaping speed-accuracy trade-off during decision making, and its potential contribution to the suppression of corticospinal excitability evidenced during action preparation. Other studies focus on the neural sources of urgency, a process which shapes how fast we make decisions and execute movements, and may lead to impulsivity when too powerful. Finally, we currently set up a closed-loop TMS-EEG system to assess the influence of the phase of sensorimotor oscillations measured using electroencephalography (EEG), especially the mu and beta rhythms, on the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), especially corticospinal excitability at rest, preparatory suppression and motor learning.

Experiments incorporate a combination of behavioural, perceptual and cognitive tasks with both healthy human participants and clinical populations such as patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or suffering from an addiction. Non-invasive brain stimulation such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), neuroimaging techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional / structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and non-invasive neuromodulation approach such as transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) are used.

Team members

Principal investigator

DUQUE Julie, PhD

Postdoctoral Researchers

PhD students

Administrative and technical support team

AZZAZ Leila, accountant
FRIAND Cathy, administrative assistant
JACOB Benvenuto, computer scientist
LAMBERT Julien, industrial engineer
PLEINNEVAUX Kevin, electronic technician

Collaborations

National collaborations

Michael Andres: Psychological Sciences Research Institute & Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium. https://uclouvain.be/en/directories/michael.andres
Frédéric Crevecoeur: Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, Electronics and Applied Mathematics & Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. https://uclouvain.be/fr/repertoires/frederic.crevecoeur
Philippe de Timary: Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. http://uclep.be/members/philippe-de-timary/
Riëm El Tahry: Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. https://uclouvain.be/fr/repertoires/riem.eltahry
Benoît Macq: Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, Electronics and Applied Mathematics, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium. https://pilab.be/about-me/?p=benoit_macq
Pierre Maurage: Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. http://uclep.be/members/pierre-maurage/
André Mouraux: Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. http://www.nocions.org/products/andre-mouraux/
Frederick Verbruggen: Department of Experimental psychology, Ghent University, Belgium. https://www.ugent.be/en/research/research-ugent/trackrecord/trackrecord-h2020/erc-h2020/frederick-verbruggen.htm

International collaborations

Matthieu Boisgontier: Bruyere Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Canada. https://matthieuboisgontier.com/
Paul Cisek: Groupe de Recherche sur la signalisation neurale et la circuiterie (GRSNC), Université de Montréal, Canada. http://www.cisek.org/pavel/
Ignasi Cos: Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Barcelona, Spain. http://novecentous.github.io/ignasicosweb/webpage/contact.htm
Gérard Derosiere: IMPACT Team, Centre de Recherche de Neurosciences, Lyon, France. https://www.crnl.fr/en/user/959?language=en
Ian Greenhouse: Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, USA. https://physiology.uoregon.edu/profile/igreenhouse/
Friedhelm Hummel: Brain Mind Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland. https://hummel-lab.epfl.ch/
Richard Ivry: Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, USA. http://ivrylab.berkeley.edu
David Thura: IMPACT Team, Centre de Recherche de Neurosciences, Lyon, France. https://www.davidthura.com/
Pierre Vassiliadis: Brain Mind Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland. https://people.epfl.ch/pierre.vassiliadis
Alexandre Zénon: INCIA - Bordeaux Neurocampus, Université de Bordeaux, France. https://www.bordeaux-neurocampus.fr/en/staff/alexandre-zenon/

Ongoing projects

Nature and sources of urgency during human motor behaviour

The aim of this project is to gain a better understanding of how the brain controls our decisions and movements in a coordinated manner. Indeed, all our motor behaviors rely on the ability to make decisions among several options, and to implement these choices by means of appropriate movements. Over the past decade or so, a new model of decision making has emerged supporting the existence of an evidence-independent urgency signal which allows to speed up decisions (and movements) to reduce the time before receiving an expected reward. In several past studies, we found that this urgency signal not only affects the speed of decisions but also speeds up ensuing movements, although some flexibility exists between both levels of control to maintain an optimal reward rate. In another study, by taking advantage of the high spatial resolution of motor evoked potentials to TMS over M1 in a variant of the Tokens task, we were able to show that urgency materializes into two main adjustments of motor neural activity. We are currently testing the hypothesis that these effects reflect two main sources of urgency: motivation by reward and the degree of caution implemented during our decisions. To do so, we apply M1 TMS during the Tokens task with manipulations of both motivation by reward (on a single-trial basis) and the level of caution (different block types).

Causal role of arousal in shaping speed-accuracy trade-off

This project aims at understanding the causal role of arousal in the regulation of speed-accuracy trade-off during decision making and movement execution. Arousal depends on various neuromodulators, including norepinephrine whose primary source is the locus coeruleus. Interestingly, several lines of evidence suggest that the locus coeruleus norepinephrine system can be modulated in humans by means of tVNS. A first pilot study in our lab aimed at assessing the effectiveness and reliability of several tVNS protocols by considering the impact of the procedure on pupil dilation, a marker of arousal. Then, we conducted decision-making experiments with active sham or tVNS, with behavior and pupillometry as endpoint measures. Ongoing analyses suggest that a higher level of arousal, as induced by active compared to sham tVNS, enhances decision accuracy, consistent with the view that the locus coeruleus norepinephrine system optimizes information processing. Planned experiments also involve testing the impact of tVNS on EEG/TMS markers of decision making and on reaching tasks.

Mechanisms underlying skill generalization & retention of a newly acquired motor skill

This project aims at understanding the neural mechanisms underlying interlimb generalization of a novel motor skill in healthy human subjects. In a first study, we aim to uncover how skill memory consolidation by brief reactivation, which has been widely studied in animal models, can influence retention and generalization of the skill memory. Our goal here is to specifically understand the effects of a brief memory reactivation session on subsequent motor skill performances (by testing for retention and generalization). We hypothesize that skill memory reactivation will strengthen the newly consolidated skill memory, and thereby enhance both retention and generalization test performances. Our preliminary findings indicate that skill memory reactivation may strengthen the memory in an effector-dependent manner which leads to better intralimb retention test performance. On the other hand, this form of memory reactivation appears to be detrimental for interlimb generalization of a newly learned skill, which may possibly rely more on effector-independent memory representations. Next, in order to uncover the neural basis of such human skill behavior, a second ongoing study is aimed at understanding the causal role of contralateral and ipsilateral primary motor cortices (M1) in skill generalization and retention using repetitive TMS intervention. Our hypothesis is that the contralateral M1 is causally involved in retention as well as interlimb generalization of a newly learned skill memory.

Impact of extrinsic motivation and intrinsic individual traits on motor skill learning

This project aims at understanding how extrinsic motivation (such as monetary reward), on top of reinforcement learning, can enhance learning of a new motor skill. A first study highlighted the behavioural benefits of reward on motor skill learning both at the level of consolidation and retention. Then, we focused on changes in motor excitability by applying TMS over M1 at different stages of learning. Our results indicate an overall increase in corticospinal excitability at the end of learning. In the context of reward, we noted a reduction in variability of corticospinal output excitability in the group that learned the skill with reward/motivation (as compared to the groups that learned the skill in the absence of reward). However, we did not observe the effects of reward on short-intracortical inhibition or use-dependent plasticity, suggesting that the effects of reward on motor learning may rely on layer-specific cortical plasticity, or on more complex subcortico-cortical interactions during learning. Furthermore, we are also in the process of assessing intrinsic individual trait characteristics of subjects (sensitivity to reward and punishment, anxiety, apathy and sleep quality assessments) to explore and quantify additional factors that may influence and predict skill learning in young healthy humans.

Impact of the phase of sensorimotor oscillations on corticospinal excitability and motor learning

This research project utilizes cutting-edge real-time closed-loop EEG-TMS technology to investigate the influence of sensorimotor mu-alpha (8-12 Hz) phases on corticospinal (CS) circuits during both rest and motor behavior in a cohort of healthy young adults. Comprising several key experiments, this project aims to uncover the specific impact of mu-alpha trough and peak phases on CS output during rest, the dynamic relationship between mu-alpha phases and CS excitability during movement preparation, as well as phase-dependent plastic changes associated with reinforcement motor learning. The overarching goals include shedding light on phase-dependent modulation of CS excitability, elucidating the functional relevance of sensorimotor phases in shaping motor behavior, and identifying pivotal neural phases, particularly troughs, that mediate sensorimotor output and behavior in humans. This project represents a significant step towards understanding the intricate interplay between mu-alpha phases and CS circuits, with potential implications for our comprehension of motor behavior and neurological processes.

Characterization of preparatory suppression in Parkinson’s disease

This project aims at advancing our understanding of the role and neural sources of preparatory suppression, a phenomenon consisting of the systematic suppression of corticospinal excitability during action preparation, evidenced using single-pulse TMS over primary motor cortex. In a first study, we found that Parkinson’s disease patients display a lack of preparatory suppression, which may be responsible for the motor slowness (bradykinesia) found in this clinical population. Surprisingly, we did not find any effect of treatment, whether it consisted of dopamine replacement therapy or deep brain stimulation, which calls into questions the proposed role of basal ganglia in generating preparatory suppression. Ongoing analyses also suggest an effect of gender on the deficit in preparatory suppression in Parkinson’s disease. A case to follow…

Key publications

Carsten, T., Fievez, F., & Duque, J. (2023). Movement characteristics impact decision-making and vice versa. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 3281. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30325-4
Vassiliadis, Pierre, Beanato, Elena, Popa, Traian, Windel, Fabienne, Morishita, Takuya, Neufeld, Esra, Duque, Julie, Derosiere, Gerard, Wessel, Maximilian J., & Hummel, Friedhelm C. (2022). Noninvasive stimulation of the human striatum disrupts reinforcement learning of motor skills. BioRxiv, http://doi.org/10.1101/2022.11.07.515477
Wilhelm, Emmanuelle; Quoilin, Caroline; Derosiere, Gerard; Paço, Susana; Jeanjean, Anne; Duque, Julie. Corticospinal Suppression Underlying Intact Movement Preparation Fades in Parkinson's Disease. Movement Disorders (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.29214
Derosiere, Gerard; Thura, David; Cisek, Paul; Duque, Julie. Hasty sensorimotor decisions rely on an overlap of broad and selective changes in motor activity. In: PLOS Biology.; 20(4), e3001598 (2022). https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3001598
Vassiliadis P, Lete A, Duque J, Derosiere G. Reward timing matters in motor learning. In: iScience. 25: 104290 (2022). https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(22)00560-0
Fievez F, Derosiere G, Verbruggen F, Duque J. (2022). Post-error slowing reflects the joint impact of adaptive and maladaptive processes during decision making. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2022.864590
Quoilin, Caroline; de Timary Philippe; Duque, Julie. Augmented tendency to act and altered impulse control in alcohol use disorders. NeuroImage : Clinical, 31, 102738. (2021). doi :10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102738. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/248938
Vassiliadis, P., Derosiere, G., Dubuc, C., Lete, A., Crevecoeur, F., Hummel, F. C., Duque, J. (2021). Reward boosts reinforcement-based motor learning. Iscience, 24(7), 102821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.102821
Derosiere, Gerard; Thura, David; Cisek, Paul; Duque, Julie. Trading accuracy for speed over the course of a decision. In: J. Neurophysiol. 126(2), 361-372, (2021). https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/jn.00038.2021
Quoilin, Caroline; Dricot, Laurence; Genon, Sarah; de Timary, Philippe; Duque, Julie. Neural bases of inhibitory control: Combining transcranial magnetic stimulation and magnetic resonance imaging in alcohol-use disorder patients. In: Neuroimage; 224:117435 (2020). doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117435.
Grandjean, Julien; Duque, Julie. A TMS study of preparatory suppression in binge drinkers. In: Neuroimage Clin.; 28:102383 (2020). doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102383.
Quoilin, Caroline; Grandjean, Julien; Duque, Julie. Considering motor excitability during action preparation in gambling disorder: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study. In: Frontiers in Psychiatry; 11:639 (2020). doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00639.
Derosiere, Gerard; Vassiliadis Pierre; Duque Julie. Advanced TMS approaches to probe corticospinal excitability during action preparation. In: NeuroImage. (2020)
Derosiere, Gerard; Duque, Julie. Tuning the corticospinal system - how distributed brain circuits shape human actions. In: The Neuroscientist. (2020)
Vassiliadis, Pierre; Derosiere, Gerard, Grandjean, Julien; Duque, Julie. Motor training strengthens corticospinal suppression during movement preparation. In: Journal of Neurophysiology (2020)
Derosiere, Gerard ; Thura, David ; Cisek, Paul ; Duque, Julie.. Motor cortex disruption delays motor processes but not deliberation about action choices. In: J. Neurophysiol. 122(4): 1566-1577 (2019)
Grandjean, Julien; Quoilin, Caroline; Duque, Julie. Investigating the effect of anticipating a startling acoustic stimulus on preparatory inhibition. In: Neurophysiol Clin.; 49 (2): 137-147 (2019). doi: 10.1016/j.neucli.2018.11.002.
Quoilin, Caroline ; Fievez, Fanny; Duque, Julie. Preparatory inhibition: Impact of choice in reaction time tasks. In: Neuropsychologia; 129: 212-222 (2019). doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2019.04.016.
Derosiere, Gerard ; Klein, Pierre-Alexandre ; Nozaradan, Sylvie ; Zénon, Alexandre ; Mouraux, André ; Duque, Julie. Visuomotor correlates of conflict expectation in the context of motor decisions. In: J Neurosci. (2018).
Grandjean, Julien ; Derosiere, Gerard ; Vassiliadis, Pierre ; Quemener, Louise ; de Wilde, Ysaline ; Duque, Julie. Towards assessing cortico-spinal excitability in both hands simultaneously: validation of a double-coil TMS method. In: J Neurosci Methods; 293: 162-168 (2018). doi: 10.1016/ j.jneumeth.2017.09.016. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/192881
Quoilin, Caroline ; Wilhelm, Emmanuelle ; Maurage, Pierre ; de Timary, Philippe ; Duque, Julie. Deficient inhibition in alcohol dependence: Let's consider the role of the motor system! In: Neuropsychopharm. (2018).
Quoilin, Caroline ; Wilhelm, Emmanuelle ; Maurage, Pierre ; de Timary, Philippe ; Duque, Julie. Deficient inhibition in alcohol dependence: Let's consider the role of the motor system! In: Neuropsychopharm.;43(9):1851-1858 (2018). doi: 10.1038/s41386-018-0074-0.
Vassiliadis Pierre, Grandjean Julien, Derosiere Gerard, de Wilde Ysaline, Quemener Louise, Duque Julie (2018). Using a double-coil TMS protocol to assess preparatory inhibition bilaterally. Frontiers in Neuroscience 12, 139. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/192889