IGNEOUS : A characterization platform for Image-Guided NEurOstimulation with UltraSound

拟议的研究计划旨在推进我们对聚焦超声（FU）神经刺激基本机制的理解。为此，我们建议发展一个内部开发和非常成功的软件平台Proteus（NSERC Discovery资助），用于聚焦超声的图像引导干预，14名研究生和本科生高素质人员（HQP）积极参与了其开发。新提出的平台将专门用于使用UltraSound（IGNEOUS）的图像引导神经刺激。FU可以安全地集中穿透机械超声波深入到活组织中，产生独特的生物效应。低强度FU是指一种曝光类型，其中脉冲FU以低振幅和低占空比发送。使用低强度FU，可以产生基于瞬时超声的神经刺激效应。大量的研究仍然需要做，以了解FU神经刺激的机制，其在大脑网络连接和神经可塑性的整体效果。该计划将平衡工程和神经科学的研究活动。我们将开发近实时高级图像处理，多通道信号处理，闭环控制算法和人机界面的新方法。我们将应用这些工程方法来建立可控的，穿透性的，和非破坏性的神经刺激使用FU。IGNEOUS在Proteus平台上的开发，可以与临床前和人类准备的磁共振成像（MRI）引导聚焦超声系统接口，将大大促进未来的转化工作。IGNEOUS将整合来自成像、电生理学和光学源的近实时大脑活动评估。为了更好地了解大脑过程和认知机制以研究大脑疾病，具有非侵入性，高分辨率和可控的方法来诱导神经刺激具有最高的科学相关性。

The proposed research program aims to advance our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of neurostimulation with focused ultrasound (FUs). For this purpose, we propose to evolve an in-house developed and highly successful software platform Proteus (NSERC Discovery-funded) for image-guided interventions with focused ultrasound, on which fourteen graduate and undergraduate High Qualified Personnel (HQP) have actively contributed to its development. The newly proposed platform will be specific for Image-Guided NEurOstimulation with UltraSound (IGNEOUS). FUs can safely concentrate penetrating mechanical ultrasound waves deep into living tissue to produce distinctive biological effects. Low-intensity FUs refers to a type of exposure where pulsed FUs is sent with both low amplitude and low duty cycle. With low-intensity FUs, a transient ultrasound-based neurostimulation effect can be produced. A substantial amount of research remains to be done to understand the mechanisms of FUs neurostimulation, its overall effects in brain network connectivity and neuroplasticity. This program will balance research activities in engineering and neuroscience. We will develop new methods for near real-time advanced image processing, multi-channel signal processing, closed-loop control algorithms, and human-machine interfaces. We will apply these engineering methods to establish controllable, penetrating, and non-destructive neurostimulation using FUs. The development of IGNEOUS on top of the Proteus platform, which can interface with pre-clinical and human-ready Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI)-guided focused ultrasound systems, will significantly facilitate translational efforts in the future. IGNEOUS will integrate near real-time assessment of brain activity from imaging, electrophysiology, and optical sources. For a better understanding of brain processes and cognitive mechanisms to study brain disorders, having a non-invasive, high-resolution and controlled method to induce neurostimulation is of the highest scientific relevan