I am a PhD student in Brain, Mind, and Computer Science, and my research focuses on the psychophysiological impact of extreme environments on the human brain. My work specifically addresses Isolation and Sensory Deprivation, a condition marked by the significant reduction or absence of external stimuli. This phenomenon typically occurs in ICE (Isolated, Confined, and Extreme) environments, such as space missions, Antarctic stations and submarines, where artificial spaces provide minimal sensory input.

These environments act as profound stressors, leading to emotional dysregulation and cognitive alteration. Despite their impact on brain functioning and well-being, empirical research on Sensory Deprivations is constrained by major methodological limitations, including small sample sizes, limited experimental control, and restricted access to high-density neuroimaging in situ. A key scientific challenge lies in disentangling the specific effects of sensory deprivation from confounding variables such as microgravity, circadian disruption, general stress exposure.

The primary objective of my doctoral project is to characterize the neural correlates and real-time dynamics of Sensory Deprivation and isolation, with particular attention to large-scale brain networks and potential sex-specific differences in psychophysiological responses. To achieve this, I implement two experimental paradigms designed to isolate the specific contribution of sensory deprivation and confinement.

The first paradigm employs a silent-cabin setting to experimentally induce a reduction of sensory input under controlled laboratory conditions. This minimal-stimulation condition is systematically compared with an ecologically valid control reflecting everyday sensory environments, allowing for the identification of deprivation-specific neural signatures.

The second paradigm involves immersive video simulations in which core characteristics of ICE environments, such as environmental monotony, reduced external stimulation, and spatial confinement, are recreated within a controlled experimental framework. These simulated extreme conditions are directly contrasted with matched terrestrial analog settings, enabling the dissociation of ICE-related features from general and natural environmental effects.

Across both paradigms, my research adopts a multi-methodological approach integrating psychophysiological measures (EEG), behavioral indices and subjective reports to capture both objective and experiential dimensions of deprivation.

Using EEG as a portable and ecologically adaptable tool, I investigate how reduced sensory input modulates brain connectivity and oscillatory activity in conditions where traditional neuroimaging techniques, such as fMRI, are unfeasible.

Ultimately, this research aims to clarify the neural mechanisms underlying sensory deprivation, while contributing to the identification of potential countermeasures to mitigate its psychological impact in extreme environments.

Click here to view my poster.