Call for abstracts!
--- Invited Speakers Announced ---
The up-coming RIO event is on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 May 2023
at the University of Limerick, Ireland
This is our first in-person meeting since 2019!
Please download, fill out and submit the form below to riogroup.weebly@gmail.com
The deadline for abstract submission is Tuesday 28th February 2023
The deadline for abstract submission is Tuesday 28th February 2023
| rio_2023_abstract_submission_form.docx |
We are very pleased to announce our two invited speakers for RIO 2023:
Florent Lebon and Helen O’Shea (click links to view their research)
The titles and abstracts for their talks are below
Florent Lebon
TITLE: The neurophysiological mechanisms underlying learning with motor imagery: from brain to spine.
ABSTRACT
From decades, motor imagery has been a relevant way to improve motor performance and learn new skills. Originally, researchers focused on the brain reorganization to explain the behavioural benefits. Recently, new evidence provided insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying learning with motor imagery: neural plasticity within the brain and neural changes at the spinal cord may also contribute to such behavioural improvements. In the current presentation, I will discuss a new model of neural adaptation for mental practice with motor imagery, including the role of the cerebellum, the long-term potentiation-like plasticity via use-dependent learning, and the presynaptic inhibition at the spinal level.
Helen O’Shea
TITLE: Examining the links between different mental and physical action types in a low-dimensional model
ABSTRACT:
When we think about action, whether observing actions, learning new actions, or imagining the feasibility of an action, we activate movement-related systems in the brain. Traditionally, these systems, together with those responsible for providing us with information from the environment (i.e., sensory systems), were assumed to merely process information important for physical action in the world. Today, the thriving field of motor cognition considers sensorimotor function to transcend this traditionally assigned role, and fundamentally participate in higher-level thinking. So, the boundaries between human motor and cognitive functions become faint. In some instances, as in the case of motor imagery in comparison to physical action execution, the correspondence between motor and cognitive functions is considered so close that they may serve a comparable function – to activate motor systems in the generation of action. This keynote will explore the links between different action types, with the aim of encouraging further discussion about the extent of overlap between motor and cognitive functions.
Florent Lebon and Helen O’Shea (click links to view their research)
The titles and abstracts for their talks are below
Florent Lebon
TITLE: The neurophysiological mechanisms underlying learning with motor imagery: from brain to spine.
ABSTRACT
From decades, motor imagery has been a relevant way to improve motor performance and learn new skills. Originally, researchers focused on the brain reorganization to explain the behavioural benefits. Recently, new evidence provided insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying learning with motor imagery: neural plasticity within the brain and neural changes at the spinal cord may also contribute to such behavioural improvements. In the current presentation, I will discuss a new model of neural adaptation for mental practice with motor imagery, including the role of the cerebellum, the long-term potentiation-like plasticity via use-dependent learning, and the presynaptic inhibition at the spinal level.
Helen O’Shea
TITLE: Examining the links between different mental and physical action types in a low-dimensional model
ABSTRACT:
When we think about action, whether observing actions, learning new actions, or imagining the feasibility of an action, we activate movement-related systems in the brain. Traditionally, these systems, together with those responsible for providing us with information from the environment (i.e., sensory systems), were assumed to merely process information important for physical action in the world. Today, the thriving field of motor cognition considers sensorimotor function to transcend this traditionally assigned role, and fundamentally participate in higher-level thinking. So, the boundaries between human motor and cognitive functions become faint. In some instances, as in the case of motor imagery in comparison to physical action execution, the correspondence between motor and cognitive functions is considered so close that they may serve a comparable function – to activate motor systems in the generation of action. This keynote will explore the links between different action types, with the aim of encouraging further discussion about the extent of overlap between motor and cognitive functions.
Conference information
The conference is free for all our speakers and delegates to attend!
For travel arrangements
Directions to the University of Limerick, Ireland - see map via file link below
The conference is free for all our speakers and delegates to attend!
For travel arrangements
Directions to the University of Limerick, Ireland - see map via file link below
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Travelling by Air
3 Airports to choose from-
Shannon International Airport is only 25km from the university campus making Limerick accessible direct from a range of European destinations and world wide through the hub of London Heathrow. Check out their website for all destinations to Shannon
Dublin Airport- 2 hour bus journey away. Well serviced by bus connections (link)
Cork Airport- 1.5 hours bus journey away. Well serviced by bus connections although not as well as Dublin Airport (link)
Travelling by Sea
Ferry services operate from the UK and France and regular coach and train services operate from Dublin and Cork to Limerick daily.
Travelling by Bus
Bus Eireann provide connections to and from all Ireland’s major cities, including Limerick. Telephone 353 (0)61 313333 for more information. The service offered by Bus Eireann runs from Shannon Airport to the main Limerick City bus station, Colbert Station, Parnell Street, Limerick. This bus departs at least once every hour from the Airport and costs approximately €5.30 one way. For a detailed timetable you should log onto www.buseireann.ie, and click on Airport Services. The last bus departs daily at 00h00 (midnight).
JJ Kavanagh & Sons provides a service between Shannon Airport and 3 stops in Limerick: Arthurs Quay in the City Centre, outside the main gate of the university (Flagpoles of UL) or into the university (main campus bus stop). Tel: +353 (0)56 8831106. For a detailed timetable log onto www.jjkavanagh.ie, select Route "Shannon Airport - Limerick - Nenagh - Portlaoise - Kildare - Dublin City - Dublin Airport" timetable.
M7 Express Service
Dublin Coach and Eireagle offer direct buses from the University of Limerick to Dublin Airport & City Centre for €10.00 pme way.
Travelling by Car
If you decide to rent a car from the airport the best route to get to Limerick by road can be found by logging onto this route planner.
Accommodation information. There are a number of good hotels within walking distance of the main campus. On the basis of their quality and location, the recommended hotels include:
1. Castletroy Park Hotel **** (link). 5 mins walk to campus
2. Kilmurray Lodge Hotel *** (link). 10 mins walk to campus
3. Travel Lodge Hotel *** (link). 10 mins walk to campus
4. On Campus Accomodation Apartments (2, 3 and 4 bed apartment accommodation) (link)
5. City Centre Hotels (10 min bus journey from campus)
- The Savoy Hotel **** (link)
- The George Hotel **** (link)
- The Absolute Hotel **** (link)
For any questions in the meantime, please contact the local organiser Prof. Mark Campbell mark.campbell@ul.ie
In the run up to the event we will update all members via email. If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please send a message to daniel.eaves@newcastle.ac.uk
3 Airports to choose from-
Shannon International Airport is only 25km from the university campus making Limerick accessible direct from a range of European destinations and world wide through the hub of London Heathrow. Check out their website for all destinations to Shannon
Dublin Airport- 2 hour bus journey away. Well serviced by bus connections (link)
Cork Airport- 1.5 hours bus journey away. Well serviced by bus connections although not as well as Dublin Airport (link)
Travelling by Sea
Ferry services operate from the UK and France and regular coach and train services operate from Dublin and Cork to Limerick daily.
Travelling by Bus
Bus Eireann provide connections to and from all Ireland’s major cities, including Limerick. Telephone 353 (0)61 313333 for more information. The service offered by Bus Eireann runs from Shannon Airport to the main Limerick City bus station, Colbert Station, Parnell Street, Limerick. This bus departs at least once every hour from the Airport and costs approximately €5.30 one way. For a detailed timetable you should log onto www.buseireann.ie, and click on Airport Services. The last bus departs daily at 00h00 (midnight).
JJ Kavanagh & Sons provides a service between Shannon Airport and 3 stops in Limerick: Arthurs Quay in the City Centre, outside the main gate of the university (Flagpoles of UL) or into the university (main campus bus stop). Tel: +353 (0)56 8831106. For a detailed timetable log onto www.jjkavanagh.ie, select Route "Shannon Airport - Limerick - Nenagh - Portlaoise - Kildare - Dublin City - Dublin Airport" timetable.
M7 Express Service
Dublin Coach and Eireagle offer direct buses from the University of Limerick to Dublin Airport & City Centre for €10.00 pme way.
Travelling by Car
If you decide to rent a car from the airport the best route to get to Limerick by road can be found by logging onto this route planner.
Accommodation information. There are a number of good hotels within walking distance of the main campus. On the basis of their quality and location, the recommended hotels include:
1. Castletroy Park Hotel **** (link). 5 mins walk to campus
2. Kilmurray Lodge Hotel *** (link). 10 mins walk to campus
3. Travel Lodge Hotel *** (link). 10 mins walk to campus
4. On Campus Accomodation Apartments (2, 3 and 4 bed apartment accommodation) (link)
5. City Centre Hotels (10 min bus journey from campus)
- The Savoy Hotel **** (link)
- The George Hotel **** (link)
- The Absolute Hotel **** (link)
For any questions in the meantime, please contact the local organiser Prof. Mark Campbell mark.campbell@ul.ie
In the run up to the event we will update all members via email. If you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please send a message to daniel.eaves@newcastle.ac.uk
