Développement de nouveaux outils de neurostimulation non-invasifs chez l'humain

非侵入性脑刺激技术（NIBS）以其独特的建立因果关系的能力，为我们理解脑-行为关系提供了重大进展。然而，目前的NIBS技术有显着的弱点，他们的空间分辨率是有限的，他们的直接影响局限于皮层表面，他们的神经生理影响是高度可变的，从一个人到另一个人，难以预测。这些缺点阻碍了神经科学家研究小的或深层皮层区域的精确功能，特定类型神经元的作用，并限制了他们的结果的可靠性和普遍性。* 本申请的首要目标是开发和研究新兴NIBS和刺激方案的作用机制，以避免当前技术的陷阱和局限性。在这方面，我建议研究聚焦超声刺激（FUS）背后的作用机制，这是一种很有前途的技术，可以调节深层皮层结构的活动，并可能针对特定类别的神经元。我将集中研究FUS的两个主要元素：1）FUS对人类神经化学的影响，即GABA能系统; 2）负责其神经调节作用的精确神经元回路。这项研究很重要，因为它将为人类神经科学研究开发新的调查工具，并更好地了解有前途的NIBS技术。

Because of their unique capabilities of establishing causal inference, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques (NIBS) have provided major advances in our understanding of brain-behaviour relationship. However, current NIBS techniques have significant weaknesses; their spatial resolution is limited, their direct effect is confined to the cortical surface, and their neurophysiological impacts are highly variable from person to person and difficult to predict. These shortcomings hinder the capacity of neuroscientists to study the precise function of small or deep cortical areas, the role of specific types of neurons, and limit the reliability and generalizability of their results. ***The overarching goal of this application is to develop and study the mechanisms of action of emerging NIBS and stimulation protocols that avoid the pitfalls and limitations of current techniques. In that regard, I propose to investigate the mechanisms of action behind Focused Ultrasound Stimulation (FUS), a promising technique that can modulate the activity of deep cortical structures and possibly target specific classes of neurons. I will focus my investigations on two main elements of FUS: 1) the effects of FUS on human neurochemistry, namely the GABAergic system; and 2) The precise neuronal circuitry responsible for its neuromodulatory effects. This research is important, as it will permit to develop new investigation tools for human neuroscience research and provide a better understanding of a promising NIBS technique.