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Current Research

MRI and MEG magnet compatible tactile stimulation

The CM3 is a magnet compatible device currently being used in MEG, MRS and MRI environments. The same ergonomic design used in the CM4 allows for 4 fingertips to be easily stimulated in a variety of configurations. Computer control of each individual stimulator allows for flexibility in protocol design and a simple to use interface between the data collection device (MEG, MRI, etc.) and stimulator timing.

Neurological research via sensory perceptual metrics

Studies in human sensory perception provide baseline data for both determining the significance of deviations from normative values in subjects with neurological deficits and a basis for understanding fundamental mechanisms of central information processing. These metrics are compared both with metrics obtained from subjects with compromised neurological systems as well as data obtained from high resolution neurophysiological experiments in non-human primates.. The diagnostic system is novel in that the protocols are relatively fast, the stimulator is portable and it makes collecting data from large numbers of diverse subject populations (some with compromised central nervous systems) pragmatic. Studies of such diverse groups could lead to novel insights about the perceptual changes that occur with systemic alterations of cerebral cortical function.

Since the design of our measures of perception are cortically rather than perceptually based, we often refer to perceptual metrics as Cortical Metrics.

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Design of a CNS based metric

One way to design a metric of CNS function is to start with observations of cerebral cortical activity that are unique to the CNS but do not occur in the periphery. For example, from in vivo animal studies, we know that delivery of two different frequencies of sinusoidal stimulation at D2 and D3 (see below) will result in peripheral responses that reflect the frequency of stimulation at each site. However, activity at the cortical representations of D2 and D3 will each reflect a composite frequency of the two. In other words, those adjacent cortical ensembles will interact, and if the stimulus is long enough (roughly 200msec), the ensembles will become synchronized.

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Neurophysiology

oisOur non-invasive sensory testing is made possible through the detailed study of in-vivo primate neurophysiolgy. Using traditional electrophysiological recordings and optical intrinsic signal imaging, labs across the globe have been able to investigate the underpinnings of the primate somatosensory cortex.  As a result, we have been able to create sensory testing paradigms that can be used on human subjects in a clinical setting. Without the in-vivo research, it would be impossible to draw conclusions as to the underlying neurophysiology of human perception. Consequently, we are able to use statistical analysis on a patient's sensory testing response to determine whether or not the cortex is functioning properly.

Sensory Data Analysis

Analysis: Several categories of measures that we collect have the potential to differentiate particular aspects of the centrally mediated impact that an individual’s neurological condition has on their information processing capacity.

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Neural Networks

minicolumn modelThe term 'neural network' is generally used to describe populations of interconnected neurons.  These neurons communicate with each other via synapses and form the building blocks of the entire cortex.  Modeling these neural networks is an integral part of translating the results of sensory testing to neurological diagnoses.  One of the most important models we have developed is for the coritical minicolumn.  The structure and density of cortical minicolumns have been linked to neurological disorders such as autism.  Using computer models of these minicolumns, researchers can introduce controlled operational anomalies to see which models match minicolumner patterns those found in the cortex of a person afflicted with neurological disorder in question.  The models provide a way for researchers to 'check' their sensory testing results and make sure that the inferred underlying neurological cause of the symptoms could theoretically account for all of the observable variables.

Validation Studies

Neurophysiology. Our non-invasive sensory testing is made possible through neurophysiological studies. Using traditional electrophysiological recordings and optical intrinsic signal imaging, labs across the globe have been able to investigate the underpinnings of the primate somatosensory cortex. As a result, we have been able to create sensory testing paradigms that can be used on human subjects in a clinical setting. Without this research, it would be impossible to draw conclusions as to the underlying neurophysiology of human perception. Consequently, we are able to use mathematical analysis on a patient's sensory testing response to determine whether or not the cortex is functioning properly. Additionally, though much lower in resolution than animal neurophysiological studies, we are currently conducting validation studies with human imaging methods (fMRI, MRS, EEG and MEG).

Sample data...