Advanced methods for human neuromodulation
Summary
Neuromodulation is an expending field especially in human translational neuroscience and neurotechnology. This course will introduce to different approaches / technologies for neuromodulation, their underlying mechanisms of action and application in humans in healthy and pathological conditions.
Content
The students will be introduced to different (invasive and non-invasive) approaches and technologies for neuromodulation, to their underlying mechanisms of action and to their application in humans in healthy and in pathological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease or depression. The course will address and elaborate together with the students on neuromodulation approaches based on e.g., electrical (invasive, non-invasive), magnetic stimulation, focussed ultrasound as well as pharmacological or optogenetic modulation. Furthermore, aspects like state-dependent, closed-loop approaches or technologies for home-based self-application, as well as safety, cost-effectivity and ethics will be addressed, as well as important regulatory, neuroethical and R&D aspects.
The course content is organized as follows. Each week 2 x 45 min lectures and 2 x 45 min exercise.
Lecture topics:
History of neuromodulation
Non-invasive brain stimulation
- Transcranial electric stimulation such as transcranial direct current (tDCS), transcranial alternating current (tACS) or transcranial random noise (tRNS) stimulation
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- Underlying technological and physiological concepts, mechanisms of action
- Behavioral impact with a focus on clinical translation.
- Technological challenges, next steps
Deep brain stimulation
- Invasive deep brain stimulation
- Novel methods of non-invasive deep brain stimulation based on transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) or focused ultrasound (fUS)
- Underlying technological and physiological concepts, mechanisms of action
- Behavioral impact with a focus on clinical translation.
- Technological challenges, next steps
Spinal cord stimulation
- Invasive and non-invasive spinal cord stimulation
- Underlying technological and physiological concepts, mechanisms of action
- Behavioral impact with a focus on clinical translation.
- Technological challenges, next steps
Neuromodulation of the peripheral nervous system including the vegetative system
- Invasive and non-invasive peripheral nervous system stimulation
- Underlying technological and physiological concepts, mechanisms of action
- Behavioral impact with a focus on clinical translation.
- Technological challenges, next steps
Neuromodulation by Optogenetics
- Underlying technological and physiological concepts, mechanisms of action
- Behavioral impact
- Technological challenges, next steps
Machine learning, simulations and modelling applied in the field of Neuromodulation
- State-dependent, closed loop stimulation
- Biomarkers to determine responsiveness to neuromodulation
- Simulations and modeling of effects of neuromodulation with a focus on brain stimulation,,
- Personalization
Home-based self-application
- Introduction in concept and technologies
- Opportunities, challenges and technological developments
Regulatory, ethical and R&D aspects of Neuromodulation
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Contextualise
- Assess / Evaluate
- Discuss
- Present
- Reason
- Hypothesize
- Plan
- Explain
Transversal skills
- Respect relevant legal guidelines and ethical codes for the profession.
- Take account of the social and human dimensions of the engineering profession.
- Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
- Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
- Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
- Summarize an article or a technical report.
- Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
- Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
In the programs
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Written (winter session)
- Subject examined: Advanced methods for human neuromodulation
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Written (winter session)
- Subject examined: Advanced methods for human neuromodulation
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: Written (winter session)
- Subject examined: Advanced methods for human neuromodulation
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks