Theory & Data Analysis Tools

Electroencephalography (EEG) measures the brain’s local field potential from the surface of the scalp. This method is useful for studying cognitive processes, neurological states, and medical conditions. Its relative low- cost, ease-of use, and non-invasiveness increase its utility in brain monitoring for both research and medical applications. Unfortunately, the process of acquiring EEG is often not inclusive of all research subjects. EEG typically requires scalp abrasion and application of conductive gels to create a low impedance contact between exposed skin and the electrode tips.

In this SBIR grant proposal, “Ultra-low distortion and noise electronics to enable a clinical MPI imaging platform,” we will develop the RF subsystem for a clinical magnetic particle imaging (MPI) platform to enable three classes of MPI applications: cell tracking, functional imaging, and endogenous contrast imaging.

Whole-brain mapping at the cellular and subcellular levels is crucial to systematically understand brain functions and disorders. Recent developments in tissue transformation techniques, such as CLARITY, SHIELD, MAP, ExM, CUBIC, and DISCO-based methods, have made significant progress towards whole-organ molecular labeling and microscopic imaging by rendering intact tissue chemically permeable and optically transparent.

This Phase II project describes the commercial development of HyperAxon™, highly innovative software for performing automated segmentation, tracing, reconstruction and quantitative analysis of all axonal fibers (with and without signs of acute axonal injury) visible in two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) microscopy images of central nervous system (CNS) areas, even those with extremely high axonal fiber density.

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. Yet, we understand little of how judgments of social certainty form over time, the neural circuitry underlying these judgments, and how these judgments meaningfully differ from non-social uncertainty sources (e.g., calculations, perceptions).

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. I have also identified the neurogenic bHLH transcription factor Ascl1 as a candidate activator of neurogenic competence in tanycytes and identified Shh signaling as potentially promoting the survival of tanycyte-derived neurons.

PROJECT SUMMARY Poor sleep is common in neurodevelopment disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with up to 93% of ASD individuals reporting sleep problems. These problems worsen quality of life and core symptoms of ASD and likely precede an ASD diagnosis, suggesting they start early in life. The potential adverse impact of early life sleep disruption is supported by animal model studies showing long term functional consequences on behavior. However, little is known about the underlying molecular consequences of sleep deprivation (SD) early in life.

Project Summary Visual attention differences are a promising diagnostic marker for autism spectrum conditions (ASC). Yet, despite mounting evidence for group-level differences in visual attention, particularly for visual attention directed toward socially relevant information (i.e., “social gaze”) between autistic and non-autistic individuals, the source of gaze differences in autism remains unclear. Prominent theories of social gaze differences focus heavily on a particular category of visual stimuli, namely: faces.

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT After a stroke, walking ability can be compromised, which can lead to reduced quality of life and decreased ability to perform activities of daily living. Post-stroke walking recovery is mediated by nervous system reorganization (e.g., neuroplasticity), however our understanding of these processes related to improvements in walking function are limited due to the neurophysiological complexity of walking itself. Additionally, current practices of assessing stroke- impacted neuroplasticity are heavily focused on the motor system.