Focused ultrasound stimulation for brain research

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Current non-invasive brain stimulation techniques used to study the human brain bear significant limitations, hindering the capacity of neuroscientists to study the precise function of localized cortical areas, the role of specific types of neurons, and the important contribution of subcortical structures to cognitive processes. An emerging neuromodulatory technique, focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS), brings significant improvements over traditional non-invasive brain stimulation methods. Not only does it present high temporal (ms) and spatial resolutions (2X5 mm), it has the potential to reach deep cerebral structures and can be used to target specific classes of neurons. These characteristics create the exciting opportunity to study the whole human brain in a cell-specific manner, a feat that is for the moment exclusive to invasive methods used for animal experimentation. The goal of this application is to acquire the first FUS system in Canada and the necessary instruments to measure its effects on the human brain (near infrared spectroscopy, transcranial magnetic stimulation coils). This infrastructure is crucial for the realization of NSERC funded research programs and to maintain the productivity of several confirmed users. More precisely, the infrastructure requested will support the research of Jean-Francois Lepage (neurostimulation), Kevin Whittingstall (neuroimaging) and Philippe Micheau (acoustics). This equipment will act as the point of convergence for these researchers; it will contribute to the implantation of collaborative research projects, and will have an important structuring impact on our new interdisciplinary research-training programs in bioimaging (Medicine-Engineering).