Neural Function Core

NEURAL FUNCTION CORE – PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT The Neural Function (NF) Core is new to the COBRE for Restoration of Neural-based Function (RNF), merging our previous Brain Stimulation (BSTIM) and Neuroimaging (NI) Cores. NF will continue, as did BSTIM, to support neuromodulation for assessment and intervention, while adding specialty services from NI such as non-MRI modalities of neural recordings and complex multimodal methodologies combining neural recordings and neuromodulation. The overall objectives of NF are to provide essential expertise in neuromodulation, neural recordings, and their combination for COBRE investigators; and develop unique tools, methods, and potential treatments to keep their RNF research on the cutting-edge. NF will support a broad range of populations (beyond stroke recovery) and perform substantial work to build out the new NF laboratories in the new COBRE space. The NF Core has 3 aims: 1) Enable outstanding Restoration of Neural-Based Function research by providing services for recording and modulation of neural function. Specifically, we provide a) Neuromodulation for Assessment – Provide leading-edge neuromodulation techniques and neurophysiological tools to assess brain plasticity and behavior, and ultimately guide individualized rehabilitation treatments; b) Neuromodulation for Rehabilitation – Enable COBRE investigators to use state-of-the-art and emerging neuromodulation treatments including computational modeling for optimized targeting with special emphasis on combination with rehabilitation; c) Neural Recordings and Multimodal Methods – Enable investigators to use state-of-the-art non- MRI modalities of neural recordings and complex multimodal methodologies combining neuromodulation and neural recordings to understand the behavior of neural circuits involved in plasticity and RNF; d) Theory-Based Outcome Measures – By continually developing innovative methodologies and analysis techniques, NF will generate high quality, reproducible data to help identify physiological “biomarkers” of plasticity and dysfunction in neural circuits. 2) Training and Career Development – NF will train investigators in neuromodulation, neural recordings, and their combination. NF will provide an unmatched hands-on training environment for investigators from a wide range of disciplines via translational mentoring, periodic workshops in data analysis, and semiannual Neuromodulation Workshops at both beginning and advanced levels. The overall COBRE training goal is to nurture scientists skilled in the multiple domains needed to investigate and exploit inherent plasticity, and develop and translate novel mechanism-based, experience-dependent interventional methods. 3) Sustainability – Our key for sustainability will be to increase the user base of NF. During Phase 3, we will expand NF’s national stature as a resource in neuromodulation and neural recording methods for RNF with emphasis on expanding expertise multimodal techniques to generate theory-based outcome measures (physiological “biomarkers”) to guide the individualization of neuromodulation approaches.