WILL 2015 BE THE YEAR OUR SMARTPHONES LINK UP TO OUR BRAINS?
Popular Science, Feb 15, 2015, link
“Physics and neurophysiology make tDCS better”
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an emerging therapeutic technique under investigation for a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders including stroke rehabilitation, addiction recovery, major depressive disorder, neuropathic pain, as well as other indications. There are encouraging results for some conditions, yet the efficacy of tDCS is mixed for others and even for successful trials there is a need to further improve effectiveness. Moreover, it is unusual that a single approach would be effective and specific in such a diversity of application. This talk introduces the source of specificity and efficacy with tDCS, and outlines approaches to customize and optimize tDCS treatment for specific indications and individuals. Based on computational modeling of current flow using MRI-derived models and on brain slice neurophysiology, work from the Bikson lab aims to enhance the efficacy and specify of tDCS by using physics (anatomical targeting) and electrophysiology (functional targeting).
Thursday, February 26th Harris Hall, Room 110 12:30-2:00 PM
Lunch will be provided.
Remotely-Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Clinical Trials: Guidelines for Technology and Protocols
Front. Syst. Neurosci. | doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2015.00026
Leigh E. Charvet, Margaret Kasschau, Abhishek Datta, Helena Knotkova,Michael C. Stevens, Angelo Alonzo, Colleen Loo, Kevin R. Krull and Marom Bikson
Free online here
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The effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is cumulative. Treatment protocols typically require multiple consecutive sessions spanning weeks or months. However, traveling to clinic for a tDCS session can present an obstacle to subjects and their caregivers. With modified devices and headgear, tDCS treatment can be administered remotely under clinical supervision, potentially enhancing recruitment, throughput, and convenience. Here we propose standards and protocols for clinical trials utilizing remotely-supervised tDCS with the goal of providing safe, reproducible and well-tolerated stimulation therapy outside of the clinic. The recommendations include: 1) training of staff in tDCS treatment and supervision, 2) assessment of the user’s capability to participate in tDCS remotely, 3) ongoing training procedures and materials including assessments of the user and/or caregiver, 4) simple and fail-safe electrode preparation techniques and tDCS headgear, 5) strict dose control for each session, 6) ongoing monitoring to quantify compliance (device preparation, electrode saturation/placement, stimulation protocol), with corresponding corrective steps as required, 7) monitoring for treatment-emergent adverse effects, 8) guidelines for discontinuation of a session and/or study participation including emergency failsafe procedures tailored to the treatment population’s level of need. These guidelines are intended to provide a minimal level of methodological rigor for clinical trials seeking to apply tDCS outside a specialized treatment center. We outline indication-specific applications (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression, Multiple Sclerosis, Palliative Care) following these recommendations that support a standardized framework for evaluating the tolerability and reproducibility of remote-supervised tDCS that, once established, will allow for translation of tDCS clinical trials to a greater size and range of patient populations.
Special Neural Engineering speaker: Thursday 19th at 1PM in Steinman 402.
Fernando Fernandez
Modulation of neuronal output by membrane voltage fluctuations
Abstract: The membrane voltage of neurons in vivo is dominated by noisy “background” fluctuations generated by network-based synaptic activity from nearby cells. It has been speculated that membrane voltage fluctuations in neurons play an important role in scaling the relationship between input amplitude and spike rate response. For this to be true, neuronal spike input-output behavior must be sensitive to physiological membrane voltage fluctuations. Using a combination of single cell recordings and modeling, we investigated the mechanisms through which voltage fluctuations modulate neuronal input-output responses. We find that neurons that express an increase in membrane input resistance with depolarization show low levels of noise-mediated modulation of input-output responses due, in part, to voltage trajectories that suppress the likelihood of generating a spike in response to random current input fluctuations. Hence, non-linear membrane properties arising from certain types of voltage-gated conductances limit noise-based modulation of neuronal input-output responses.
In Search of Serenity: I Strapped on a Mood-Changing Device
NBC link
“The company is careful not to release too many details about these “neural pathways.” But it has tested the device on more than 3,000 people, including 100 students and staff through a Thync-funded study at the City College of New York. The company says these trials show two-thirds of wearers feel a change in their mood beyond the placebo effect.”
Thursday, Jan.29 @ 1PM in Steinman Hall Rm 402
Rosalyn J Moran, PhD
Assistant Professor, VTC Research Institute
Assistant Professor, Bradley Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Virginia Tech
In this talk I will present Bayesian perspectives on the human brain, both as a methodology to assess brain activity and as an analogy of brain function more generally. In the first part of my talk, I will introduce Dynamic Causal Modeling (DCM) as a ‘mathematical microscope’ for assessing functional brain networks. Using noninvasive neuroimaging data, I will demonstrate how biologically motivated generative models can be deployed with approximate (variational) Bayesian inference techniques to infer upon the complex and latent neuronal architectures that subtend these observed time-series data. Using examples from pathological and pharmacologically-altered cortical circuits, I will show how DCM can also help elucidate the key parameters that contribute to abnormal brain function.
In the second part of my talk I will present a mathematical deconstruction of age-related changes in cortical processing motivated by the Free Energy Principle. This principle hypothesizes a simple optimization that the brain may perform and a potential implementation based on predictive coding. From this perspective, the brain itself represents a model of its environment and offers predictions about the world through a subset of cortical connections, while responding – through learning – to novel interactions and experiences. I will provide evidence for selective alterations in these predictive and updating processes over the lifespan and examine potential adaptive and maladaptive consequences. Overall, the talk will cover how the brain could ‘do inference’ on the environment, and how scientists can ‘do inference’ on the brain.
Regulatory considerations for the clinical and research use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): Review and recommendations from an expert panel
F. Fregni, M. A. Nitsche, C. K. Loo, A. R. Brunoni, P. Marangolo, J. Leite, S. Carvalho, N. Bolognini, W. Caumo, N. J. Paik, M. Simis, K. Ueda, H. Ekhtiari, P. Luu, D. M. Tucker, W. J. Tyler, J. Brunelin, A. Datta, C. H. Juan, G. Venkatasubramanian, P. S. Boggio, and M. Bikson
Clin Res Regul Aff, Early Online: 1–14 DOI: 10.3109/10601333.2015.980944
Abstract : The field of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) has experienced significant growth in the past 15 years. One of the tES techniques leading this increased interest is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Significant research efforts have been devoted to determining the clinical potential of tDCS in humans. Despite the promising results obtained with tDCS in basic and clinical neuroscience, further progress has been impeded by a lack of clarity on international regulatory pathways. Therefore, a group of research and clinician experts on tDCS were convened to review the research and clinical use of tDCS. This report reviews the regulatory status of tDCS and summarizes the results according to research, off-label, and compassionate use of tDCS in the following countries: Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Portugal, South Korea, Taiwan, and the US. Research use, off label treatment, and compassionate use of tDCS are employed in most of the countries reviewed in this study. It is critical that a global or local effort is organized to pursue definite evidence to either approve and regulate or restrict the use of tDCS in clinical practice on the basis of adequate randomized controlled treatment trials.
Paper PDF: tDCS_Regulations_stateoftheart
Wednesday, Dec. 10@ 3PM in Steinman Hall Rm 402
DBS for Movement Disorders and other Neurological Conditions
Brian Kopell, Ph.D
DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR NEUROMODULATION . Mount Sinai
 Abstract Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is widely recognized as the gold-standard treatment for patients with disabling motor symptoms from idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, Essential Tremor, and Dystonia that have become refractory to medical therapy. This neurosurgical procedure is available within a fully integrated multidisciplinary program through the Mount Sinai Hospital. Biography A graduate of the NYU School of Medicine, Dr. Kopell completed his residency at NYU Medical Center. Dr. Kopell has undergone fellowship training in Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the University of Zurich. For the past eight years, he founded and has led the Restorative Neuroscience Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI) where his team performed over 400 DBS cases for movement disorders. Furthermore, Dr. Kopell has participated and has been principal investigator in several clinical trials of emerging Neuromodulation technologies targeting such disorders as Parkinson’s disease, tremor, tinnitus, and Major Depression. Dr. Kopell has pioneered the use of intra-operative imaging during DBS cases to supplement the microelectrode recording typically done to make a procedure that is safer and quicker for patient
USA Today “Want to feel calm or energized? Thync has an app for that.” link Dec 1, 2014
The Sunday Times “Hack My Brain: Plug in and charge your mood”
Download the poster pdf here
Please visit our poster presentations. Please stop by:
Presentation
Sat, Nov 15, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
84.02/NN3 – Transcranial direct current stimulation over ventro-medial prefrontal cortex changes human value-based decision making: A computational neurostimulation study
*D. HAEMMERER1,2, M. KLEIN-FLÜGGE3,4, J. BONAIUTO4, M. BIKSON5, S. BESTMANN4;
1Inst. of Cognitive Neurosci., United Kingdom; 2Lifespan Psychology, Germany;3WellcomeTrust,4UCL;5CUNY
Session
084. Human Decision-Making: Perceptual Processes
Sat, Nov 15, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Presentation
Sun, Nov 16, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
187.09/TT58 – Finite element method (FEM) studies of spinal current flow in spinal stimulation
*A. MOURDOUKOUTAS, M. BIKSON;
The City Col. of New York of the City Universit, New York, NY
Session
Presentation
Sun, Nov 16, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
187.22/TT71 – Optimizing tDCS and HD-tDCS for clinical trials through computational models (and trial design)
*D. Q. TRUONG1, M. ALAM2, M. BIKSON2;
1Biomed. Engin., City Col. of New York, CUNY, New York, NY; 2Biomed. Engin., City Col. of New York, New York, NY
Session
Presentation
Sun, Nov 16, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
214.08/C34 – Synaptic cooperativity and postsynaptic polarization jointly determine cortical plasticity during DC stimulation
*A. RAHMAN, M. BIKSON;
Biomed. Engin., The City Col. of The City Univ. of New York, New York, NY
Session
214. LTP: Pre- and Postsynaptic Mechanisms I
Sun, Nov 16, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Presentation
456.01/RR42 – Comparison of cognitive training vs transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on performance of a “Cyber Defense” multi-task
456.01/RR42 – Comparison of cognitive training vs transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on performance of a “Cyber Defense” multi-task
E. CLAYTON1, D. CISLER1, R. MCKINLEY2, M. BIKSON3, *P. M. GREENWOOD1, R. PARASURAMAN1;
1George Mason Univ.A; 2Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH;3CUNY
Session
Presentation
Mon, Nov 17, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
*M. R. SCHELDRUP1, J. VANCE2, R. MCKINLEY3, M. BIKSON4, R. PARASURAMAN2, P. GREENWOOD2;
2Psychology, 1George Mason Univ; 3Airforce Res. Lab.;4CUNY
Session
Presentation
Tue, Nov 18, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
599.06/D21 – Direct evidence of altered neuronal excitability due to electric field stimulation
*B. LAFON, A. RAHMAN, M. BIKSON, L. C. PARRA;
City Col. of New York, New York, NY
Session
599. Synaptic Transmission: Modulation III
599. Synaptic Transmission: Modulation III
Presentation
Wed, Nov 19, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
731.04/LL7 – Methods for specific electrode impedance measurement during transcranial direct current stimulation
*N. KHADKA1, M. BIKSON1, C. SARANTOS2, A. RAHMAN1, D. TRUONG1;
1CUNY 2UC Santa Barbara, CA
Session
Device Changes Your Mood with a Zap to the Head
A smartphone-connected device delivers electrical stimulation to nerves in the head.
By Kevin Bullis on November 10, 2014
The market for products that relax or energize is worth billions of dollars worldwide….Next year you should be able to buy a small device that uses electricity to change your mood at the press of a button on your smartphone. The device, from a startup called Thync, currently consists of a set of electrodes connected to a phone. It has a short-lived energizing effect that feels a little like drinking a can of Red Bull….Marom Bikson, a professor of biomedical engineering at City College of New York, recently used a prototype of Thync’s device in a 100-person study (funded by the company) that focused on its calming effects. Bikson says the study showed “with a high degree of confidence” that the device has an effect, although the results varied. “For some people—not everyone—the effect is really profound,” he says. “Within minutes, they’re feeling significantly different in a way that is as powerful as anything else I could imagine short of a narcotic.
Full Article here
TUESDAY November 25, 2014 from 4:30-5:45pm at the CUNY GRADUATE CENTER, 365 Fifth Avenue, ROOM 7300
tDCS-Enhances Language Recovery: New Challenges in Aphasia Rehabilitation?
Paola Marangolo
Affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
Abstract: New technologies has made new tools available for professional speech-language therapists. In the field of aphasia, one area is central for a positive outcome in language rehabilitation: the use of noninvasive brain stimulation techniques. A growing body of evidence has already indicated that TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) can have beneficial effects in the treatment of aphasia. However, although some studies have shown an improvement of lexical deficits, a persistency of the effects has not been consistently reported. Moreover, many of these studies do not have a control condition to establish the specificity of the stimulated area. More recent studies suggest that long-term effects might be more easily obtained with repeated stimulations and during simultaneous specific language training. The development of these new approaches, as potentially promising tools for aphasia rehabilitation, will be discussed together with an overview of the language deficits most suitable for intervention.
References
Marangolo P & Caltagirone C. Options to enhance recovery from aphasia by means of non-invasive brain stimulation and action observation therapy. Expert Rev. Neurother., 2014
Marangolo P et al. Electrical stimulation over the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) determines long-term effects in the recovery of speech apraxia in three chronic aphasics. Behav Brain Res, 2011.
Marangolo P et al., Differential involvement of the left frontal and temporal regions in verb naming: a tDCS study. Restor Neurol and Neurosci, 2013
We are hiring:
Job Title: Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor – Biomedical Engineering (Tenure-track / Tenured)
Job ID: 11824
Location: City College of New York
FACULTY VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
The Department of Biomedical Engineering in the School of Engineering at the City College of New York (CCNY) of the City University of New York seeks to recruit an outstanding faculty member with expertise to complement their growing program in neural engineering. Other areas of specialization in the department include: tissue engineering, nanotechnology/biomaterials, cardiovascular engineering, and musculoskeletal biomechanics. It is expected that appointment will be made at the level of Assistant Professor, though outstanding candidates at more senior levels will be considered.
Responsibilities will focus on developing successful, extramurally funded research program as well as excellence in teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
The City College of New York, in the heart of New York City, is building upon its strengths in neuroscience, which is currently comprised of more than 20 faculty from 5 different departments across the campus. Shared research instrumentation include state of the art microscopy, several EEG systems, TMS, tDCS, non-invasive optical imaging, and a research-dedicated MRI scanner scheduled to be operational by the end of 2014.
The research environment in the CCNY BME department is very strong, and builds upon internal strengths as will the New York Center for Biomedical Engineering (NYCBE) – a unique consortium between the Grove School of Engineering and seven of the premier health care and medical institutions in New York City. The research productivity of the faculty in the CCNY BME department is among the top in the nation and supported by over $5,000,000 annual in extramural grant support. The National Research Council rankings put the department in the top 10% in the nation terms of research productivity and #1 in the nation in terms of diversity. Its commitment to diversity is reflected in its unique composition of over 50% female or minority faculty. Additional information on the department can be found at bme.ccny.cuny.edu. CCNY is the founding and flagship college of the City University of New York (CUNY).
QUALIFICATIONS” Ph.D. degree in area(s) of experience or equivalent. Also required are the ability to teach successfully, demonstrated scholarship or achievement, and ability to cooperate with others for the good of the institution.
COMPENSATION :Commensurate with qualifications and experience. CUNY offers faculty a competitive compensation and benefits package covering health insurance, pension and retirement benefits, paid parental leave, and savings programs. We also provide mentoring and support for research, scholarship, and publication as part of our commitment to ongoing faculty professional development.
HOW TO APPLY : Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID (11824) or Title. Select “Apply Now” and provide the requested information. Candidates should provide a CV, a cover letter, examples of recent publications, a brief statement of research and teaching interests, and the names and contact information for at least three professional references.
CLOSING DATE” Open until filled, with review of applications to begin December 1, 2014
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY” CUNY Job Posting: Faculty
Daniel Miklody. Oct 31 at 2 pm on the 5th floor BME conference room.
Individualized head models through electrical impedance measurements
In EEG source localization,transcranial current stimulation (tCS) and other topics in neuroscience, a model of the volume conduction properties of the head is needed to estimate e.g. the sources of activity in EEG or the areas of stimulation for tCS.
To create a model, two approaches seem predominant: either an individual MRI is obtained out of which a model is created or an average head model is used. An MRI is expensive and the process to receive a head model very time consuming and labour intensive. Average head models are much cheaper but systematic errors occur through the individual differences in anatomy and conductivities. The anatomy can be morphed to fit the outer head shape as measured by localization devices. The results are acceptable but modeling errors still occur.
I am introducing a new approach to this topic, which involves Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) to individualize the headmodel. Therefor small electric currents are injected through a standard set of EEG electrodes. The pattern of injection is alternating between injection pairs and the resulting scalp potential is measured on the rest. The measured data is then used to individualize an average head model involving non-linear optimization techniques from machine learning.
In my talk I will give a gentle introduction to different ways of modeling the head (concentric spheres, spherical harmonics, BEM and FEM), their advantages and drawbacks.
I will continue with an introduction to Electrical Impedance Tomography and different approaches within. I will also present the EIT device (virtually only) that I have designed an constructed within my Master’s thesis and some of the results.
Currently I am working on two algorithms for this problem in parallel: a leadfield based approach and a geometry based approach involving dimensionality reduction through PCA. I will introduce some basic concepts of those.
I will also present some preliminary results on 4-shell (scalp,skull,CSF,brain) BEM head modeling and the leadfield based approach.
In anticipation of the upcoming NYCneuromodulation meeting (see NEUROMODEC for details). special editorial
The outlook for non-invasive electrical brain stimulation
Marom Bikson, Dylan Edwards, Emily Kappenman
PII: S1935-861X(14)00334-9 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2014.10.005
TEXT PDF: Bikson_OutlookForBrainStim_2015 Journal link
Nov 2014 issue of Scientific American Mind features article by Dr. Marom Bikson and Peter Toshev on the future of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation.
“Your electric pharmacy” READ IT: samind_2014_11
Guarienti, W. Caumo, P. Shiozawa, Q. Cordeiro, P.S. Boggio, I.M. Benseñor, P.A. Lotufo, M. Bikson, A.R. Brunoni.
Reducing transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-induced erythema with skin pretreatment: considerations for sham-controlled tDCS clinical trials.
Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. 2014 In press. DOI: 10.1111/ner.12230
PDF: tDCScomfort_2014
Through support from the DURIP mechanism of the DoD (PO Patrick Bradshaw, PI Marom Bikson). the Neural Engineering group is excited to activate our newest and most powerful cluster: Edison. Starting with 204 cores. 2.6 TB optimized for high-throughput and massive-scale finite element modeling of transcranial electrical stimulation.
Good job Andy Huang and Dennis Truong along with staff from DEH Microsystems.
Moritz Dannhauer, Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, University of Utah
“Simulating noninvasive brain stimulation using SCIRun: an open source software package.”
Sept 26, 2014 at 2 PM. BME Conference room 402 – Steinman Hall
Abstract:
In my talk I will present how to setup, solve and analyze simulations of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques (tDCS, TMS) using SCIRun.
SCIRun is a generic tool to solve scientific problems that contains a software package called “BrainStimulator” in the new version SCIRun5.
I will explain goals, algorithms and implementation details regarding these simulations.