Maria J. Ribeiro

Researcher @ CIBIT-ICNAS and FMUC University of Coimbra

Studying the Human Brain


ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECTS
THE NORADRENERGIC SYSTEM IN HEALTHY AGEING
Brain image from BrainFacts.org
by Society for Neuroscience

Noradrenaline is associated with neuroprotection against neurodegeneration and against cognitive decline.


How the brain noradrenergic function changes with ageing remains poorly understood and might be an important marker of risk for neurodegenerative diseases.


In this project, we are using functional MRI to study, in humans, the effect of ageing on task-related activation of the noradrenergic system and its impact on cortical processing.


Funded by FCT: EXPL/PSI-GER/0349/2021


In collaboration with University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Germany.

ACTIV4BRAIN: IMPROVING OLDER PEOPLE’S HEALTH THROUGH INTEGRATED COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL TRAINING

Activ4Brain is a novel non-pharmacological intervention designed by the project’s multidisciplinary team that integrates aerobic exercise with cognitive training to enhance cognitive, mental, and physical health in older people.


We are currently validating the program Activ4Brain and investigating the neuroscience behind its cognitive effects. This knowledge will facilitate future developments and elucidate who will best benefit from this type of programs. Our multidisciplinary team includes neuroscientists, psychologists, sport science experts, and engineers.


A collaboration between CIBIT, CINEICC, and CIDAF of the University of Coimbra, and the Champalimaud Foundation.

THE EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON THE RECRUITMENT OF THE AROUSAL SYSTEM DURING THE PROCESSING OF UNCERTAINTY IN OLDER PEOPLE
FreeSVG.org

We are currently studying how a single bout of moderate aerobic exercise or a 12-week exercise program modulate the activation of the arousal system of older adults during decision-making under uncertainty and its impact on learning.


In collaboration with the Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education of the University of Coimbra.


Sara Oliveira - Biomedical Engineering Master's student

Hicran Beşikci - Biomedical Engineering PhD student

HEART-BRAIN DIALOGS IN YOUNG AND OLDER ADULTS
Adapted from Servier medical art

Cognitive performance affects cardiac activity just as cardiac activity affects neural processing. The interaction between the cognitive and cardiac systems is associated with emotional processing, attentional control, sensory and body awareness, and perceptual decision-making.


In this project, we are studying how ageing affects heart-brain interactions and how this relationship affects cognitive function in young and older adults.


In collaboration with the Department of Psychology, University of Essex, UK.

BRAIN-BODY INTERACTIONS IN VISUAL PERCEPTION
Adapted from Servier medical art

Focusing the mind in anticipation of external events is associated with increased alertness (pupil dilation), inhibition of motor output (behavioural freezing), and cardiac deceleration. These changes in body physiology are associated with faster and more sensitive sensorimotor processing.


In this project, we investigate the neural mechanisms linking body physiology with the efficiency of visual processing.


In collaboration with the Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi", University of Bologna and Department of Informatics Engineering of the University of Coimbra.

PREVIOUS PROJECTS
AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN PUPIL-LINKED AROUSAL MODULATION

In this project, we studied how ageing affects pupil-linked arousal modulation measured during cued auditory reaction time tasks. Older people presented changes in the ongoing dynamics of pupil-linked arousal with a reduction in the amplitude of the slow fluctuations in pupil size. These findings suggest that ageing affects the baseline dynamics of brainstem ascending modulatory systems.