Project description
Cortical control and modulation may soon be possible with an advanced stimulation system
The billions of cells in the brain are highly organised and interconnected networks that change dynamically on small and large time scales. Synergistically, understanding of networks involved in neuropathologies has increased along with technologies for observing, manipulating, and measuring them. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique that applies magnetic pulses to individual brain areas. It has been used successfully to treat major depression. ConnectToBrain seeks to radically enhance TMS, enabling multi-locus TMS with very high spatiotemporal resolution and closed feedback via a computer-to-brain and a brain-to-computer interface. The ability to stimulate different parts of the cerebral cortex with millisecond delays will inspire novel therapeutics for complex neurological diseases.
Objective
ConnectToBrain will introduce whole-brain multi-locus transcranial magnetic stimulation (mTMS), in which the brain-stimulating electric-field location, direction, magnitude and timing are controlled electronically based on real-time high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) information of activity and connectivity in brain networks. The final mTMS apparatus will consist of 50 coils. Superpositions of electric fields produced by the different overlapping coils allow spatiotemporally millimeter- and millisecond-precise stimulus sequences to arbitrary cortical sites without physical movements of the coil set. Spatial targeting of mTMS will be further improved by measuring individual brain conductivity distributions with ultra-low-field MRI. The proposed hdEEG methodology uses a brain–computer interface (BCI) and a computer–brain interface (CBI) in a closed, algorithmically-controlled loop. BCI receives real-time information about brain activity and connectivity from hdEEG, while CBI adapts mTMS to drive brain activity and connectivity into desired directions. ConnectToBrain will allow unprecedented tracking of dynamic changes and reorganization of brain networks in real-time, and network-targeted closed-loop stimulation. This radically novel technology will cause a paradigm shift from current open-loop practice that is only moderately effective in therapy. We will apply ConnectToBrain to reach new levels of efficacy of therapeutic applications. Patients after stroke and with Alzheimer’s disease will be tested and treated as models of network disorders.
Our high-risk, high-gain endeavor will reach the ambitious goals only through the Synergy of the 3 PIs, world leaders in their complementary areas of expertise (instrumentation, algorithms, translation). If the project succeeds, we expect the value of societal, health and industrial benefits in Europe to exceed €1 billion annually, not to mention the immense value of alleviating human suffering from brain disorders.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-SyG - Synergy grantHost institution
02150 Espoo
Finland