Driving brain functions with information-based neuromodulation

这个研究项目的主要目标是研究大脑振荡在认知功能中的功能作用。为此，我们建议结合神经成像方法和基于信息的非侵入性脑刺激（NIBS），这是一种允许因果推理的方法。最近，我们已经证明了大脑振荡标记（大脑活动的节奏波动）与认知功能之间存在因果关系，通过显示有节奏的大脑刺激促进内源性大脑振荡，并导致参与者执行功能的特定和因果增强。这项研究计划旨在通过两个互补的研究轴来释放这种优化的大脑刺激方法的全部潜力。在轴1中，我们的目标是开发实验方法来定义与认知功能相关的细粒度振荡标记，并评估它们在大脑网络中的因果作用。我们感兴趣的模型是工作记忆，这是一种对日常生活中简单任务的实现至关重要的认知能力。通过两项研究（人类颅内脑电图，同时脑电图/功能磁共振成像），我们将描述支持听觉信息编码、维护、操作和检索的细粒度振荡动力学（特别是复杂的交叉频率相互作用）。在这个轴上确定的脑振荡标记物和脑网络将为轴II中开发的NIBS研究的参数提供信息。轴II旨在测试健康个体调节轴I中定义的振荡标记的潜力，以支持学习期间的大脑通信和功能。我们的目标是确定与纵向训练结合优化脑刺激相关的可塑性变化。我们将使用NIBS（结合神经成像和脑电图）来针对学习过程中的特定脑动力学，以诱导对认知功能的长期益处。通过两项互补的研究，我们将探讨A)在训练过程中，简单频段的调制如何提高大脑的可塑性，从而加速和优化学习；B)更复杂/细粒度的频率模式（轴1中确定的交叉频率相互作用）的调制如何显示对学习的特定和长期影响。通过这两个研究轴，本研究项目提供了阐明大脑可塑性机制的机会，这是记忆功能的基础，并通过提供优化的大脑刺激来增强。该计划将提高我们对支持人类记忆功能的网络动力学的理解；建立脑振荡作为对大脑活动和功能进行控制干预的适当目标；并打开了一扇新的窗口转移到临床神经科学的个人，基于信息的干预。

The principal goal of this research program is to investigate the functional role of brain oscillations in cognitive functions. To do so, we propose to combine neuroimaging approaches and information-based non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), a method that allows causal inference. Recently, we have demonstrated the existence of a causal relationship between brain oscillatory markers (rhythmic fluctuation of brain activity) and cognitive functions, by showing that rhythmic brain stimulation promotes endogenous brain oscillations, and results in specific and causal enhancement of participants' executive functions. This research program aims to release the full potential of such optimized brain stimulation methods with two complementary research axes. In Axis I we aim to develop experimental approaches to define fine-grained oscillatory markers related to cognitive functions and to evaluate their causal roles in brain networks. Our model of interest is working memory, a cognitive ability that is essential for everyday life simple task realisation. With two studies (intra-cranial EEG in humans, simultaneous EEG/fMRI) we will characterize fine-grained oscillatory dynamics (notably complex cross-frequency interactions) supporting encoding, maintenance, manipulation and retrieval of auditory information. The brain oscillatory markers and brain networks identified in this axis will then inform the parameters of the NIBS studies developed in Axis II. Axis II aims to test in healthy individuals the potential of modulating the oscillatory markers defined in Axis I to support brain communication and functions during learning. We aim to identify the plastic changes associated to longitudinal training combined with optimized brain stimulation. We will use NIBS (combined with neuroimaging and EEG) to target specific brain dynamics during learning to induce long-term benefits on cognitive functions. Through two complementary studies, we will investigate A) how the modulation of a simple frequency band boosts brain plasticity during training to accelerate and optimize learning; B) how the modulation of more complex/fine-grained frequency patterns (cross-frequency interactions identified in Axis I) can show specific and long term effects on learning. Through these two research axes, this research program provides the opportunity to elucidate the mechanisms of brain plasticity that underlie memory functions, and enhancements by the delivery of optimized brain stimulation. This program will improve our understanding of network dynamics supporting memory functions in humans; establish brain oscillations as appropriate targets for controlled interventions into brain activity and functions; and open a new window of transfer to clinical neuroscience of individual, information-based interventions.