Project description
Developing a cost-effective and expandable multi-locus transcranial magnetic stimulator
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a valuable tool for diagnostics, presurgical planning and treatment of depression disorder and neuropathic pain. However, treatments are time-consuming and unfortunately benefit only about 50 % of patients. To address this, the ERC-funded MODEX-mTMS project aims to develop and validate a versatile TMS system that can perform adaptive and automated brain stimulation. Building on its previously established multi-locus TMS (mTMS) model, it will introduce a minimum viable prototype that is more economically accessible to users. This new 3-channel entry system for mTMS will facilitate efficient clinical protocols, provide operator independence and greatly reduce time in patient care. It will also allow for easy expansion through the addition of electronic modules and coils
Objective
We aim to develop and validate a versatile and affordable transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) system that can perform adaptive and automated brain stimulation.
TMS is performed routinely in thousands of hospitals worldwide for diagnostics (e.g. to measure corticospinal excitability), for presurgical planning (to locate eloquent brain areas that should not be harmed), and for treating severe depression and neuropathic pain. Unfortunately, only about 50% of patients benefit from the treatment; the treatments are also very time-consuming.
Current TMS protocols are user-dependent, non-personalized, and stimulate only one brain target at a time; furthermore, target searches can take up to 10 minutes. When only one cortical node is stimulated, networks are difficult to modulate. Therefore, we need stimulus sequences that activate precise cortical nodes in specific networks involved in different disorders such as depression, addiction, or neuropathic pain. This can be done with so-called multi-locus TMS (mTMS), which we have developed in the ongoing ERC Synergy project ConnectToBrain, but the barrier to users purchasing mTMS is often the high cost.
In this project, we will introduce a minimum viable prototype, an affordable 3-channel entry system for mTMS that enables efficient clinical protocols, provides operator independence, and saves time in patient care, with the potential to improve the clinical outcome. We aim to demonstrate the viability and value of this 3-channel device, which can later be expanded to a larger one simply by adding electronic modules and new coil sets. We intend to demonstrate the speeding up of motor cortex hotspot search by a factor of 510 and to show experimentally that the new multi-locus technology will markedly improve the efficacy of inducing plastic changes in the target network.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
02150 Espoo
Finland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.