RII Track-2 FEC: Probing and Understanding the Brain: Micro and Macro Dynamics of Seizure and Memory Networks

非技术性描述三个州（路易斯安那州，阿肯色州和亚拉巴马）三个机构的十二名研究人员将合作进行这项大脑研究，并为该地区建立一个基础，作为神经科学跨学科合作研究活动的中心。这项工作将侧重于了解癫痫脑发作的开始以及对大脑功能（如记忆）的长期影响。癫痫发作直接影响大约1%的人类，并对亲人和照顾者产生间接影响，以及对社会的经济影响。癫痫病被称为？大脑功能的窗口因为这种情况会损害不同的大脑功能，这取决于癫痫发作在大脑中的位置和受影响的神经元网络，还因为它提供了一个独特的机会来研究受损的大脑？的功能在时间和空间。该项目将开发微创植入式传感器，可用于在癫痫发作事件之前，期间和之后的几个月进行监测。研究人员将癫痫发作期间发生的变化与事件之间的间隔中观察到的变化联系起来。该项目包括雇用四名新教师，设计和购买设备，开发新的本科和研究生课程，招聘和培训多样化的学生群体，以更好地反映区域社区，以及新的学生研究和劳动力机会。技术描述该团队在三个机构（路易斯安那理工大学、阿肯色州大学和亚拉巴马大学）的活动分为四个重点领域，重点是记录和分析大脑的电活动、磁活动、神经化学和光学信号以及记忆功能。将使用创新的方法和工具进行一系列协调和协同的研究，这些方法和工具旨在在癫痫大鼠和人类受试者的分子，细胞和宏观水平上探测大脑功能。局灶性癫痫患者在术前评估期间将植入颅内脑电图（iEEG）电极，用于随后长期（数天）记录和监测其自发性癫痫发作。非侵入性脑磁图（MEG）成像也用于提供有关大脑电磁活动的重要补充信息。这种合作将促进研究，并导致参与机构建立独特的人类和动物数据数据库。

Non-technical DescriptionTwelve researchers across three institutions in three states (Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama) will collaborate on this brain research, and develop a foundation for the region as a hub for interdisciplinary, collaborative research activity in the neurosciences. This work will focus on understanding the initiation of epileptic brain seizures and longer-term impacts on brain function such as memory. Epileptic seizures directly impact roughly 1% of humans, and have indirect impacts on loved ones and caregivers as well as economic impacts on society. Epilepsy has been called a ?window to brain function? because the condition impairs different brain functions depending on the location of the seizure in the brain and the impacted network of neurons, and because it provides a unique opportunity to study an impaired brain?s function over time and space. The project will develop minimally invasive implantable sensors that can be used for monitoring before, during, and for several months following seizure events. Researchers will relate changes occurring during seizure events with those observed in the intervals between events. The project includes hiring four new faculty, design and purchase of equipment, development of new undergraduate and graduate courses, recruitment and training of a diverse student population to better reflect the regional community, and new student research and workforce opportunities. Technical Description The activities of the team across three institutions (Louisiana Tech University, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Alabama) are organized under four thrust areas that focus on recording and analysis of electrical activity, magnetic activity, neurochemical and optical signals, and memory function of the brain. A series of coordinated and synergistic investigations will be conducted using innovative methods and tools designed to probe brain function at the molecular, cellular, and macro levels in epileptic rats and human subjects. Patients with focal epilepsy, during their presurgical evaluation, will undergo implantation of intracranial electroencephalographic (iEEG) electrodes for subsequent long-term (days) recording and monitoring of their spontaneous seizures. Non-invasive magnetoencephalographic (MEG) imaging is also used to provide important complementary information on the electromagnetic activity of the brain. This collaboration will advance research and also result in the creation of unique databases of human and animal data from the participating institutions.