Excellence in Research: Fast Functional Imaging of Neural Networks with Nanoelectrode Arrays

卓越的研究：使用纳米电极阵列对神经网络进行快速功能成像

基本信息

批准号：
1831962
负责人：
Hargsoon Yoon
金额：
$ 49.97万
依托单位：
Norfolk State University
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
Standard Grant
财政年份：
2018
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2018-09-01 至 2023-08-31
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1831962&HistoricalAwards=false
关键词：
Excellence Research Fast Functional Imaging

项目摘要

The objective of this collaborative research project is to develop a novel Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) imaging system which can simultaneously image multiple areas of brain including deep brain structures in behaving animals. This will enable, for the first time, chronic imaging of fast neural activity for deep brain structures and neuronal networks with spatio-temporal resolution of 1 ms and 100 micrometer. The PIs will validate it in a neuronal network in deep limbic and brainstem structures, but once developed it could be used anywhere in the brain. This EIT imaging technology for fast neural activity could lead to radical advances in understanding brain function and enable quantitative mathematical modeling and analysis of neural systems. This could aid the development of new treatment for neurological disorders like schizophrenia, depression and epilepsy, as well as advancing cognitive and computational neuroscience. This interdisciplinary research project will also enhance research capacity and promote the participation of underrepresented minority (URM) students in STEM education. Overall, this project will implement new technology and approaches that support our goal of increasing the participation and contributions of URM populations in neural engineering and in STEM, in general. Functional neural imaging is critically important to determine the group cellular events that are associated with the local neuro-physiological changes in neural networks. Recent functional neural imaging technologies have allowed the exploration of the brain at the cell-biological level for the understanding of the mechanisms of mentation and brain diseases. Despite various advances, no current neural imaging technologies meet the spatio-temporal resolution and imaging coverage required to measure functional connectivity and information processing across and between cortical and deep brain structures in behaving animals. The proposed system can perform functional imaging of group activity involved in functional networks. If successful, these efforts will produce a platform that will enhance fundamental understanding of underlying mechanisms in neuroscience. It is expected that the system to be developed can assess neural activity in various nodes of functional networks thereby bridging the gap between global process and individual cell activities and substantially extend our ability to probe functional networks in the brain. This project will address the challenges to the national competitiveness and sustained STEM global leadership that can be better met through the full utilization of all of the nation's talent and resources. Improving the state of diversity and inclusion in science and engineering will allow the full benefit of a well-educated and scientifically literate population in HBCUs. STEM and neural engineering research and education will prepare our URM students for the next generation of technology and will meet the strong demand from industry for a well-prepared work force and leaders equipped with the necessary scientific understanding of advanced technology.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

该协作研究项目的目的是开发一种新型的电阻抗层析成像（EIT）成像系统，该系统可以同时对大脑的多个区域进行图像，包括行为动物的深层大脑结构。这将首次实现快速神经活动的慢性成像，用于深脑结构和神经元网络，时空分辨率为1 ms和100微米。 PI将在深层和脑干结构中的神经元网络中验证它，但一旦开发就可以在大脑中的任何地方使用。这种用于快速神经活动的EIT成像技术可能会导致理解大脑功能的根本发展，并启用对神经系统的定量数学建模和分析。这可以帮助开发针对精神分裂症，抑郁和癫痫等神经系统疾病的新疗法，并推进认知和计算神经科学。该跨学科研究项目还将提高研究能力，并促进代表性不足的少数民族（URM）学生参与STEM教育。总体而言，该项目将实施新技术和方法，以支持我们增加URM人群在神经工程和STEM中的参与和贡献的目标。功能性神经成像对于确定与神经网络中局部神经生理变化相关的组细胞事件至关重要。最近的功能性神经成像技术允许在细胞生物学水平上探索大脑，以理解意识和脑部疾病的机制。尽管有各种进步，但目前没有神经成像技术符合时空的分辨率和成像覆盖范围，以测量行为动物中皮质和深脑结构之间和深度大脑结构之间的功能连通性和信息处理。所提出的系统可以对功能网络中涉及的组活性进行功能成像。如果成功，这些努力将产生一个平台，以增强对神经科学中潜在机制的基本理解。预计该系统要开发可以评估功能网络各种节点的神经活动，从而弥合了全球过程和单个细胞活动之间的差距，并大大扩展了我们探测大脑中功能网络的能力。该项目将解决国家竞争力和持续的STEM全球领导能力的挑战，通过全国所有人才和资源的充分利用，可以更好地应对。改善科学和工程中的多样性和包容状态将使HBCU中受过良好教育和科学识字人群的全部利益。 STEM和神经工程研究和教育将使我们的URM学生为下一代技术做好准备，并将满足行业对准备好的劳动力的强劲需求，以及对高级技术进行必要的科学理解的领导者。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并通过使用该基金会的知识分子功能和广泛的影响来评估NSF的法定任务。