Development of an Implantable Nerve Neurotechnology for the Study and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain, affecting 7-10% of the population, significantly reduces quality of life. Current treatments often fail due to the challenges in translating findings from animal models to humans. Traditional models rely on controlled environments, hindering accurate assessment. Implantable neurotechnologies offer a solution by recording nerve activity in freely-moving animals, providing more realistic data. However, existing devices struggle with long-term recording and signal classification. Implantable neurotechnologies also show promise for directly treating neuropathic pain but lack specificity, inhibiting normal nerve function.
Graphpype: Producing Reproducible and Portable Neuroimaging Analysis Pipelines
The project’s central aim is producing a robust and reproducible methodology for network analysis in neuroscience. We are building an accessible toolset fully integrated with existing workflows that provides more intuitive use possibilities for conducting graph analysis of biological data. The project will translate graph theoretical quantification and statistical evaluation into an open and reproducible workflow for network analyses of biological systems.
Intelligence in a dish: Developing computational phenotypes for human cortical organoid models of neurodevelopmental disorders
In this project we propose a new class of neuroinformatic phenotypes which directly measure the computational properties of human cortical organoids, thereby promising to unlock their therapeutic potential. In particular, we piloted this approach in a human organoid model of Rett Syndrome - a severe neurodevelopmental disease marked by a regression in cognitive and behavioural functions that becomes apparent in infants during the first year of life. In over 95% of cases Rett Syndrome is caused by mutations in a single gene, called MECP2. However, despite the known genetic cause, there is currently no treatment which is able to prevent or slow the cognitive decline in development.
Pinging Hidden Working Memory Using Brain Stimulation and Precision Imaging
Imagine hosting a dinner party. Your mind is filled with tasks like buying ingredients, cooking, and awaiting guests' arrivals. Yet you only pay attention to one task at a time— be it boiling pasta or answering the doorbell. Your ability to “actively” hold and manipulate limited information against a broader “hidden” cognitive background is known as working memory (WM), a pivotal human cognitive function.
Sleep Well
Insomnia, defined by difficulties in falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up prematurely, is a common health issue in modern society, with approximately half of adults experiencing its symptoms at some point in their lives. The effects of insomnia are far-reaching, leading to psychological and physical deterioration. Individuals suffering from insomnia face an elevated risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, and cognitive decline. On a broader scale, insomnia contributes to decreased workplace productivity and an increased risk of work-related accidents due to fatigue and impaired concentration. This imposes a significant socioeconomic burden, affecting public health systems and economic productivity.
Personalising Cochlear Implant Healthcare: Translating the Panoramic ECAP Method from laboratory to clinic
Cochlear Implants are arguably the most successful neuro-prosthetic device in existence today and can provide a sense of hearing to d/Deaf individuals by directly stimulating their auditory nerve. Each cochlear implant patient has a unique story and hearing status, and the ease with which they can communicate with their devices varies from person to person. This underlies a need for personalised hearing healthcare to maximise the hearing potential for individual users. The Panoramic ECAP Method – or ‘PECAP’ – is a research tool that leverages objective measurements of neural responses to a cochlear implant and provides detailed estimates of variation in neural-activation patterns along the length of the cochlea.
