Descripción del proyecto
Tecnología inalámbrica para facilitar los estudios cerebrales en primates no humanos
Los primates no humanos (PNH) ofrecen un modelo muy bueno para estudiar la fisiología cerebral porque comparten notables similitudes anatómicas, cognitivas y conductuales con los humanos. El objetivo fundamental del proyecto financiado con fondos europeos FUTURE-NHP es desarrollar un dispositivo craneal impreso en 3D para estudiar el cerebro en PNH que se mueven con libertad. Los investigadores utilizarán tecnologías inalámbricas y supervisión conductual en vídeo, junto con una plataforma de «software» que permitirá a los usuarios finales personalizar el dispositivo para aplicaciones específicas. La aplicación de este dispositivo ayudará a asociar preguntas neurocientificas con comportamientos específicos, al mismo tiempo que apoyará la investigación fundamental con PNH de una forma éticamente aceptable.
Objetivo
Some of the greatest today’s challenges in understanding human brain functions and dysfunctions are being tackled by using Non-Human Primates (NHPs), a unique and still unreplaceable model in neurophysiology because of their remarkable anatomo-functional, cognitive and behavioural similarities to humans. Tethered neural recordings have been, so far, the virtually unique methodology available for these studies. Nonetheless, this approach 1) limits the range of behaviours and functions that can be investigated, 2) reduces the ecological validity of the results and 3) increases the public ethical concerns about the use of NHP, challenging the future of this still fundamental branch of science.
This project (FUTURE-NHP) capitalizes on the preliminary findings of the ERCstg grant WIRELESS, in which we are developing a new approach to brain studies in freely-moving NHP with wireless technologies and video behavioural monitoring. The aim of FUTURE-NHP is the fabrication and pre-commercial testing of a new, 3D printed cranial device, allowing to easily and flexibly perform semi-chronic neural recordings from a fully customizable and interchangeable sets of multielectrode probes. With our partner SME we will perform, in parallel, a detailed evaluation of commercial opportunities for the developed device in a global (not just EU) perspective using clear IPR constructions and strategies. Furthermore, we will implement a software platform allowing end- users to design customized layouts of the device for custom-specific applications. The device will be optimized for (but not limited to) wireless recording experiments and will be made compatible with different types of probes and recording systems.
By extending the range of affordable neuroscientific questions to unconstrained behaviors, FUTURE-NHP will improve the ecological validity of neurophysiological data and their translational value for humans, and contribute to make more ethically acceptable NHP fundamental research.
Ámbito científico
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept GrantInstitución de acogida
43121 PARMA
Italia