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BRAIN MODULATION LAB

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about

HUMAN SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE

We are a human systems neuroscience lab studying brain electrophysiology and behavior in patients undergoing surgery for epilepsy, movement disorders, and psychiatric disease. The goal of our work is to facilitate the development and optimization of electrical and biological brain modulation therapies, by filling critical gaps in our understanding of human brain function.  

RESEARCH THEMES

Basal Ganglia-Cortical Dynamics in Human Behavior 

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Intraoperatively, we collect simultaneously recorded cortical ECoG, subcortical MER/LFP, and behavioral data to study interactions between the cortex and basal ganglia that encode specific components of motor control.

 

STN and STN-Cortical Coding of Speech Production

BRAIN Initiative U01

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Cortical-Basal Ganglia Speech Networks

BRAIN Initiative U01

 

Deep Neural Network Approaches for Closed-loop DBS

CRNCS in collaboration with ICNeuromodulation Neumann Group - Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin

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Biomarker Development and Responsive Neurostimulation in Epilepsy

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The lab's initial work in brain stimulation for epilepsy involved sensing-enabled DBS (PC+S and RC+S) in a nonhuman primate with idiopathic epilepsy. Subsequently, in order to better understand data recorded during responsive neurostimulation in our epilepsy patients, we built BRAINStim, a platform for Biophysically Rational Analysis and Informed Stimulation. Our group reported the first study describing electrophysiological biomarkers of therapeutic responsive neurostimulation for epilepsy.

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Electrographic Seizure Pattern Modulation Biomarkers in Responsive Neurostimulation for Epilepsy

NINDS Biomarkers R61

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Biomarker Development in OCD

 

​Our group reported the first study describing a biomarker of OCD symptomatology from sensing-enabled DBS recordings.​

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Language Processing 

In this project led by Ev Fedorenko, we are collaborating to study neural responses to language stimuli using intracranial recordings, in combination with the recent advances in computational neuroscience and machine learning, in a quest to understand human linguistic ability.

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Computational Neuroscience of Language Processing in the Human Brain

BRAIN Initiative U01

 

Mapping the Olfactory Perception Network

With funding from Lawnboy Ventures, we are using intracranial LFP recordings to map the electrophysiological correlates of odor perception, with a goal of defining network signatures of odor categories that can be recapitulated via electrical stimulation. The goal of this project is to development an olfactory prosthesis for patients with anosmia. 

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Clinical Innovation in Functional Neurosurgery​

The lab's resources, including surgical databases, are leveraged to innovate and advance neurosurgical strategies and technical approaches to better treat epilepsy, movement disorders, and other brain diseases.

People
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Major technological and scientific advances have opened a new era in neurosurgical therapies for people with epilepsy, movement, and psychiatric disorders. These invasive surgical procedures provide the unique ability to record and stimulate neuronal populations in precise brain regions, offering groundbreaking opportunities to explore how our brains perform a wide array of cognitive functions. To optimize these opportunities, Mass General Department of Neurosurgery and MIT Brain and Cognitive Sciences developed the InBRAIN (Intracranial Brain Recording, Analysis, and Intelligent Neuromodulation) Collaboration.

contact

About our logo:

Brain on Holiday was created by the illustrator Alberto Ruggieri, who generously granted permission for its use by the Brain Modulation Lab.

For other examples of Mr. Ruggieri's work, visit: albertoruggieri.net

Want to help sustain our work?

Send an email to mark.richardson@mgh.harvard.edu

We're located on the MGH campus, a ten-minute walk from MIT:

Thier Building, 4th floor

Massachusetts General Hospital

50 Blossom St.
Boston, MA 02114

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