BRAIN MODULATION LAB
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
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
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
Biomarker Development and Responsive Neurostimulation in Epilepsy
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.
Electrographic Seizure Pattern Modulation Biomarkers in Responsive Neurostimulation for Epilepsy
Biomarker Development in OCD
Our group reported the first study describing a biomarker of OCD symptomatology from sensing-enabled DBS recordings.
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.
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.
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.
FACULTY SCIENTISTS
Mark Richardson, MD, PhD, FAANS
Director of Functional Neurosurgery, MGH
Charles Pappas Professor of Neurosciences, Harvard Medical School
Visiting Professor of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT
Alan Bush, PhD
Co--Director, Brain Modulation Lab, MGH
Instructor in Neurosurgery, MGH
Harvard Medical School
STAFF SCIENTISTS
Erin Donahue, PhD
Project Manager
Brain Modulation Lab
CONTRIBUTING SCIENTISTS
Nathan Sisterson, MD
Neurosurgery Resident, MGH
Ashley Walton, PhD
Research Fellow
MGH-MIT InBRAIN Collaboration
Matteo Vissani, PhD
Harvard Research Fellow, MGH
Pranav Nanda, MD
Neurosurgery Resident, MGH
Clemens Neudorfer, MD
Harvard Research Fellow, MGH
Yanming Zhu, MD
PhD Student, Harvard Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology
Latane Bullock, BA, BS
PhD Student, Harvard Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology
Ali Tafreshi, MD
Neurosurgery Resident, Geisinger Health System
Vineet Reddy, BS
Junior AI Engineer
Soumya Peri, BA
Research Coordinator
Leah Barz-Snell, BA
Research Coordinator
Jacob Ryan, BA
Research Coordinator
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.
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
Interested in supporting our innovative researchers through philanthropic gifts?
Send an email to Erin Donahue <ekdonahue@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