Descrizione del progetto
Controllo e modulazione corticali potrebbero presto essere possibili grazie a un avanzato sistema di stimolazione
I miliardi di cellule presenti nel cervello formano reti altamente organizzate e interconnesse che cambiano dinamicamente su scale temporali piccole e grandi. Sinergicamente, la comprensione delle reti implicate nelle neuropatologie è aumentata insieme alle tecnologie per osservarle, manipolarle e misurarle. La stimolazione magnetica transcranica (TMS) è una tecnica neuromodulatoria non invasiva che applica impulsi magnetici a singole aree cerebrali che è stato utilizzata con successo per trattare la depressione maggiore. Il progetto ConnectToBrain cerca di migliorare radicalmente la TMS, abilitando la TMS multi-locus con altissima risoluzione spazio-temporale e feedback chiuso tramite un’interfaccia computer-cervello e un’interfaccia cervello-computer. La capacità di stimolare diverse parti della corteccia cerebrale con ritardi di millisecondi ispirerà nuove terapie per le malattie neurologiche complesse.
Obiettivo
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.
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC-SyG - Synergy grantIstituzione ospitante
02150 Espoo
Finlandia