The prefrontal cortex (PFC) and its associated networks are hubs allowing the coordination of cognitive brain functions required for integrated non-routinary behaviours, including abstract ideation, spontaneous thinking, and creative thinking. When the PFC or its associated networks are damaged, their functions are impaired.

However, the specific consequences in terms of cognitive abilities and behavioural disorders remain poorly characterized, assessed and treated. The general aim of our team is to tackle the neuroscientific

aspects of prefrontal functions and translate such knowledge into a better diagnosis and therapy for patients.

The project is organized as a two-level program: Cognitive neuroscience and Translational research.

At a first level, we explore the neuroscience of high-level cognitive functions, encompassing cognitive control and mind-wandering, inhibitory control and mental flexibility, creativity and reasoning, taking into account the role of attentional and decision processes.

At a second level, we develop a translational program focused on pathologies affecting the frontal lobes (such as frontotemporal dementia/FTD). This second level focuses on refining the phenotype of degenerative prefrontal syndromes, clarifying the underlying mechanisms and neural bases of behavioural disorders such as apathy and disinhibition, and developing new assessment tools and therapeutic approaches to alleviate cognitive and behavioural frontal syndromes.

The topics encompassed by these two levels of study reciprocally feed each other (scientific data gathered in the first level serve to feed and implement the translational level to phenotype and treat patients).

Main techniques

Experimental psychology, MRI and EEG neuroimaging techniques, intraEEG, brain stimulation, lesion studies, lesion-deficit mapping, genetics, neurocomputational modeling, translational research, neuropsychology, ethology, behavioral sensing, intra-operative cognitive mapping

Address :
Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière 47 bd de l’Hôpital 75013 Paris

Team leader :
LEVY Richard
Name of co-team leader :
VOLLE Emmanuelle
Administrative Contact Name :


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Key words : #Neurosciences cognitives et computationnelles# recherche translationnelle# cortex préfrontal# démence fronto-temporale#génétique humaine# connectivité cérébrale# stimulation cérébrale# réseaux frontaux# comportements dirigés vers un but# créativité# attention# inhibition# flexibilité# apathie #Neurocognitive and computational neuroscience# translational research# prefrontal cortex# fronto-temporal dementia# human genetics# brain connectivity# brain stimulation# frontal networks# goal-directed behaviors# creativity# attention#inhibition# apathy#flexibility