Funded Awards

Project Summary The long-term objective of this project is to develop a revolutionary quantum mechanical solid-state magnetometer designed to non-invasively detect femtoTesla (fT) scale magnetic fields derived from the brain’s electrical activities during natural human experiences.

Abstract Currently, the brain-computer interface (BCI) field has demonstrated two distinct device strategies - macroelectrodes (e.g., surface grids and depth) versus microelectrode arrays, and some are even pushing the field to smaller, higher density arrays hoping to address the general signal d

HNN U24 DISSEMINATION PROJECT SUMMARY The Human Neocortical Neurosolver (HNN) neural modeling tool was developed with BRAIN Initiative funding (R01EB022889: 09/2016–06/2020) to meet the Initiative’s goal to “develop innovative technologies to understand brain circuits and ensembles of circuits th

Project Summary Aggression is an evolutionarily conserved behavior that controls social hierarchies and protects valuable resources like mates, food, and territory. In most cases, aggression is a necessary, adaptive component of social behavior.

In recent years, the NIH has awarded over $850M annually to the numerous research institutions and hospitals within the Texas Medical Center (TMC; Houston, TX), producing ever-increasing numbers of biomedical discov- eries.

Whole-brain mapping at the cellular and subcellular levels is crucial to systematically understand brain functions and disorders.

Project Summary. We propose a new coil array that will enable next-generation causal brain mapping with unprecedented flexibility, resolution and precision.

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Humans have highly advanced cognitive abilities and motor skills, characteristics which are reflected in the enlarged size and cell diversity of our central nervous system (CNS).

TITLE: IDENTIFYING THE NEURAL MECHANISMS OF GOAL-DIRECTED DECISION-MAKING IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE USING CLOSED-LOOP DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION PROJECT SUMMARY People with Parkinson’s disease commonly suffer from non-motor symptoms, including motivation deficits, that impact quality of life more than c

PROJECT SUMMARY As we get older, we learn to modulate our behaviors to optimize reward outcomes. These adaptive choices are orchestrated by current sensory conditions, internal cognitive states, and future expectations.

Project Summary / Abstract Although BRAIN 2.0 called for the BRAIN Initiative to “prioritize diversity and inclusion as a fundamental pillar,” research with the human neuroimaging technologies being developed by BRAIN Initiative continues to rely on non-representative convenience samples.

Project Summary Uncertainty is an often pervasive, stressful experience that arises when making judgments about others' beliefs, intentions, or emotions (i.e., ambiguous social situations). Excessive uncertainty can have pernicious effects upon memory, mood, and physical and mental outcomes.

Hypothalamic tanycytes have limited postnatal neurogenic competence, but the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that promote this are not well understood. My predoctoral research identified a defined developmental window during which neurogenic competence is lost from hypothalamic tanycytes.

Project Summary Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) of the sensory cortices is an emerging approach to restore sensation to people who have lost it due to neurological injury or disease.

PROJECT SUMMARY The choroid plexus (ChP) comprises a network of cells that form a critical brain barrier that can mediate secondary damage in certain brain disorders and trauma. The Lehtinen lab has developed a suite of tools to study the ChP across development ex vivo and in vivo.

Project Summary: The majority of lived experience depends on neural activity conveying sensory information about the world.

The goal of this project is to create two prototypes of a novel live spike sorting system which can be used by investigators to spike sort streams of neural data recorded by multi-channel, high channel and ultra-high channel probes.

Project Summary Sub-Cerebral Projection Neurons (SCPNs) are a clinically relevant neuron class that controls voluntary movement and whose loss in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Fronto-temporal dementia or injury (e.g., damaged by spinal cord injury) leads to paralysis.

Project Summary Many social behaviors, such as defense and aggression, are innate- requiring no prior experience to be expressed and presumably ‘hardwired’ into neural circuits.

Abstract Humans can rapidly regulate actions according to updated demands of the environment.