Associate Professor Alan Pegna
Associate Professor

Alan Pegna

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+61 7 336 56412

Background

Associate Professor Alan Pegna is a neuropsychologist whose interests lie in the field of cognitive neuroscience and clinical neuropsychology. After receiving a Masters degree in Psychology from the University of Geneva (Switzerland) and a second Masters degree in Human Physiology from University College London (UK), he obtained his PhD from the University of Geneva, using brain imaging techniques to study spatial processing in both healthy controls and brain-damaged patients.

He worked for over 20 years as a clinical neuropsychologist at Geneva University Hospital, and as an academic at the University of Geneva, where he supervised numerous research projects in the field of visual processing, again in healthy participants and in persons with focal brain lesions.

He joined UQ in 2015, where he now explores the neural basis of visual and spatial processing of emotional stimuli. More specifically, using EEG, he examines the brain's response to different facial expressions, as well as to faces that vary in their perceived approachability (e.g., their apparent trustwothiness). When possible, these studies are also carried out with brain-damaged individuals, in order to investigate the role of particular brain regions in these processes.

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Availability

Associate Professor Alan Pegna is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Cognitive and computational psychology Psychology

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Geneva

Search Professor Alan Pegna’s works on UQ eSpace

179 works between 1986 and 2025
All (179) Journal Article (149) Conference Publication (30)

101 - 120 of 179 works

2008

Conference Publication

Dissociating the semantic relation and language effects in the bilingual brain: an event-related potential study

Khateb, A., Pegna, A. J., Michel, C. M., Landis, T. and Annoni, J. M. (2008). Dissociating the semantic relation and language effects in the bilingual brain: an event-related potential study. 12th Congress of the European-Federation-of-Neurological-Societies, Madrid Spain, Aug 23-26, 2008. MALDEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.

Dissociating the semantic relation and language effects in the bilingual brain: an event-related potential study

2008

Journal Article

Language control and lexical competition in bilinguals: An event-related fMRI study

Abutalebi, Jubin, Annoni, Jean-Marie, Zimine, Ivan, Pegna, Alan J., Seghier, Mohamed L., Lee-Jahnke, Hannelore, Lazeyras, François, Cappa, Stefano F. and Khateb, Asaid (2008). Language control and lexical competition in bilinguals: An event-related fMRI study. Cerebral Cortex, 18 (7), 1496-1505. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhm182

Language control and lexical competition in bilinguals: An event-related fMRI study

2008

Journal Article

Group analysis and the subject factor in functional magnetic resonance imaging: Analysis of fifty right-handed healthy subjects in a semantic language task

Seghier, Mohamed L., Lazeyras, François, Pegna, Alan J., Annoni, Jean-Marie and Khateb, Asaid (2008). Group analysis and the subject factor in functional magnetic resonance imaging: Analysis of fifty right-handed healthy subjects in a semantic language task. Human Brain Mapping, 29 (4), 461-477. doi: 10.1002/hbm.20410

Group analysis and the subject factor in functional magnetic resonance imaging: Analysis of fifty right-handed healthy subjects in a semantic language task

2008

Journal Article

The selective amobarbital test in the anterior choroidal artery: Perfusion pattern assessed by intraarterial SPECT and prediction of postoperative verbal memory

Vulliemoz, S., Pegna, A. J., Annoni, J. -M., Yilmaz, H., Willi, J. P., Spinelli, L., Landis, T. and Seeck, M. (2008). The selective amobarbital test in the anterior choroidal artery: Perfusion pattern assessed by intraarterial SPECT and prediction of postoperative verbal memory. Epilepsy & Behavior, 12 (3), 445-455. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2007.11.015

The selective amobarbital test in the anterior choroidal artery: Perfusion pattern assessed by intraarterial SPECT and prediction of postoperative verbal memory

2008

Conference Publication

POST-ICTAL VERBAL MEMORY IS PREDICTIVE OF MEMORY DECLINE AFTER TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY SURGERY

Seeck, Margitta, Vulliemoz, Serge, Prilipko, O., Herrmann, F., Pollo, Claudio, Landis, T. and Pegna, A. (2008). POST-ICTAL VERBAL MEMORY IS PREDICTIVE OF MEMORY DECLINE AFTER TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY SURGERY. 62nd Annual Meeting of the American-Epilepsy-Society, Seattle Wa, Dec 05-09, 2008. MALDEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC.

POST-ICTAL VERBAL MEMORY IS PREDICTIVE OF MEMORY DECLINE AFTER TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY SURGERY

2008

Journal Article

Visual search for facial expressions of emotion is less affected in simultanagnosia

Pegna, Alan J., Caldara-Schnetzer, Anne-Sarah and Khateb, Asaid (2008). Visual search for facial expressions of emotion is less affected in simultanagnosia. Cortex, 44 (1), 46-53. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2006.02.001

Visual search for facial expressions of emotion is less affected in simultanagnosia

2007

Journal Article

Language selection in bilinguals: A spatio-temporal analysis of electric brain activity

Khateb, Asaid, Abutalebi, Jubin, Michel, Christoph M., Pegna, Alan J., Lee-Jahnke, Hannelore and Annoni, Jean-Marie (2007). Language selection in bilinguals: A spatio-temporal analysis of electric brain activity. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 65 (3), 201-213. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2007.04.008

Language selection in bilinguals: A spatio-temporal analysis of electric brain activity

2007

Journal Article

Is the N170 sensitive to the human face or to several intertwined perceptual and conceptual factors? [2]

Thierry, Guillaume, Martin, Clara D., Downing, Paul E. and Pegna, Alan J. (2007). Is the N170 sensitive to the human face or to several intertwined perceptual and conceptual factors? [2]. Nature Neuroscience, 10 (7), 802-803. doi: 10.1038/nn0707-802

Is the N170 sensitive to the human face or to several intertwined perceptual and conceptual factors? [2]

2007

Journal Article

A glimpse into your vision

Gonzalez Andino, Sara L., de Peralta, Rolando Grave, Khateb, Asaid, Pegna, Alan J., Thut, Gregor and Landis, Theodor (2007). A glimpse into your vision. Human Brain Mapping, 28 (7), 614-624. doi: 10.1002/hbm.20302

A glimpse into your vision

2007

Journal Article

Controlling for interstimulus perceptual variance abolishes N170 face selectivity

Thierry, Guillaume, Martin, Clara D., Downing, Paul and Pegna, Alan J. (2007). Controlling for interstimulus perceptual variance abolishes N170 face selectivity. Nature Neuroscience, 10 (4), 505-511. doi: 10.1038/nn1864

Controlling for interstimulus perceptual variance abolishes N170 face selectivity

2007

Conference Publication

Selective amobarbital test in the anterior choroidal artery: Perfusion pattern assesssed by intra-arterial SPECT and predictive value on post-operative memory

Vulliemoz, Serge, Pegna, Alan J., Yilmaz, Hasan, Willi, Jean-Pierre, Spinelli, Laurent, Landis, Theodor and Seeck, Margitta (2007). Selective amobarbital test in the anterior choroidal artery: Perfusion pattern assesssed by intra-arterial SPECT and predictive value on post-operative memory. 59th Annual Meeting of the American-Academy-of-Neurology, Boston Ma, Apr 28-May 05, 2007. PHILADELPHIA: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS.

Selective amobarbital test in the anterior choroidal artery: Perfusion pattern assesssed by intra-arterial SPECT and predictive value on post-operative memory

2007

Journal Article

Rhyme processing in the brain: An ERP mapping study

Khateb, Asaid, Pegna, Alan J., Landis, Theodor, Michel, Christoph M., Brunet, Denis, Seghier, Mohamed L. and Annoni, Jean-Marie (2007). Rhyme processing in the brain: An ERP mapping study. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 63 (3), 240-250. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2006.11.001

Rhyme processing in the brain: An ERP mapping study

2007

Journal Article

Clinical assessment of motor function: A processes oriented instrument based on a speed-accuracy trade-off paradigm

Christe, Blaise, Burkhard, Pierre R., Pegna, Alan J., Mayer, Eugene and Hauert, Claude-Alain (2007). Clinical assessment of motor function: A processes oriented instrument based on a speed-accuracy trade-off paradigm. Behavioural Neurology, 18 (1), 19-29. doi: 10.1155/2007/203828

Clinical assessment of motor function: A processes oriented instrument based on a speed-accuracy trade-off paradigm

2007

Conference Publication

Impaired information processing as a key determinant of akinesia in Parkinson's disease

Christe, B., Hauert, C.-A., Pegna, A. J. and Burkhard, P. R. (2007). Impaired information processing as a key determinant of akinesia in Parkinson's disease. 11th International Congress of Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders, Istanbul Turkey, Jun 03-07, 2007. HOBOKEN: WILEY-LISS.

Impaired information processing as a key determinant of akinesia in Parkinson's disease

2006

Journal Article

Postictal but not interictal hemispatial neglect in patients with seizures of lateralized onset

Prilipko, Olga, Seeck, Margitta, Mermillod, Bernadette, Landis, Theodor and Pegna, Alan J. (2006). Postictal but not interictal hemispatial neglect in patients with seizures of lateralized onset. Epilepsia, 47 (12), 2046-2051. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00855.x

Postictal but not interictal hemispatial neglect in patients with seizures of lateralized onset

2006

Journal Article

An event-related potential component sensitive to images of the human body

Thierry, Guillaume, Pegna, Alan J., Dodds, Chris, Roberts, Mark, Basan, Sebastien and Downing, Paul (2006). An event-related potential component sensitive to images of the human body. Neuroimage, 32 (2), 871-879. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2006.03.060

An event-related potential component sensitive to images of the human body

2006

Conference Publication

Postictal but not interictal hemispatial neglect in patients with seizures of lateralized onset

Prilipko, O, Seeck, M, Mermillod, B and Pegna, A (2006). Postictal but not interictal hemispatial neglect in patients with seizures of lateralized onset. 58th Annual Meeting of the American-Academy-of-Neurology, San Diego Ca, Apr 01-08, 2006. PHILADELPHIA: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS.

Postictal but not interictal hemispatial neglect in patients with seizures of lateralized onset

2006

Conference Publication

Do postictal neuropsychological tests predict postsurgical memory performance in epileptic patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy?

Prilipko, O, Herrmann, F, Pegna, A and Seeck, M (2006). Do postictal neuropsychological tests predict postsurgical memory performance in epileptic patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy?. 58th Annual Meeting of the American-Academy-of-Neurology, San Diego Ca, Apr 01-08, 2006. PHILADELPHIA: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS.

Do postictal neuropsychological tests predict postsurgical memory performance in epileptic patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy?

2006

Journal Article

Speech arrest with stimulation may not reliably predict language deficit after epilepsy surgery

Seeck, M, Pegna, AJ, Ortigue, S, Spinelli, L, Dessibourg, CA, Delavelle, J, Blanke, O, Michel, CM, Landis, T and Villemure, JG (2006). Speech arrest with stimulation may not reliably predict language deficit after epilepsy surgery. Neurology, 66 (4), 592-594. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000199254.67398.a7

Speech arrest with stimulation may not reliably predict language deficit after epilepsy surgery

2006

Journal Article

Automatic motor cortex activation for natural as compared to awkward grips of a manipulate object

Petit, Leila S., Pegna, Alan J., Harris, Irina M. and Michel, Christoph M. (2006). Automatic motor cortex activation for natural as compared to awkward grips of a manipulate object. Experimental Brain Research, 168 (1-2), 120-130. doi: 10.1007/s00221-005-0092-0

Automatic motor cortex activation for natural as compared to awkward grips of a manipulate object

Past funding

  • 2016
    A brain physiology laboratory for neuropsychological research in the new Queensland Neuropsychology Research Centre
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Alan Pegna is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Role of the amygdala in rapid emotional face processing

    Evidence has shown that the amygdala is responsible for the rapid detection of threat and emotion, however hard evidence is lacking to confirm this idea. This project will examine the electrical brain response to emotional stimuli in healthy individuals as well as patients who have undergone surgical removal of their amygdala (amygdalectomies). The aim will be to establish whether the amydgala indeed contributes to the rapid processing of the visual stimuli.

  • Role of the amygdala in attentional capture of emotional stimuli

    Evidence has shown that the amygdala is responsible for the rapid detection of threat and emotion. One question that arises is whether this process is a prequisite for attention shifting. This project will investigate the electrical coorelate of attention-shifting in healthy individuals as well as patients who have undergone surgical removal of their amygdala (amygdalectomies). The project aims to determine if amydgala removal affects the automatic shift of attetion towards threatening stimuli..

  • Effects of personal space on face processing: an ERP and VR study

    It has been known for some time that different brain regions process stimuli according to whether they are situated in near (peripersonal) or far (extrapersonal) space. Furthermore, evidence has demonstrated the existence of a personal spatial boundary that, when crossed by another individual, creates a sense of discomfort. Using ERP in conjunction with Virtual Reality, this project will examine the brain response to neutral and emotionally expressive faces, as well as trustworthy and untrustworthy faces, situated within or beyond personal space.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Alan Pegna directly for media enquiries about:

  • awareness
  • blindsight
  • brain
  • brain damage
  • brain-behaviour relation
  • cognition
  • cognitive function
  • electrophysiology
  • emotion
  • epilepsy
  • face
  • face blindness
  • Neuropsychology
  • object recognition
  • prosopagnosia
  • space
  • stroke
  • vision
  • visual perception

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