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SEMINAR DETAILS

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Where/when : 

- Friday March 16, 12:00

- Salle 1120, Pavillon Paul-G.-Desmarais Université de Montréal 2960, chemin de la tour

Title: 

Theory of artificially driven cortical circuits: connectivity, function 

and dimension of neural dynamics stimulated by implants

Abstract: 

Recent developments in Bidirectional Brain­Computer Interfaces 

(BBCI) not only allow the reading out of neural activity from 

cortical neurons, but also the delivery of electrical signals. These 

can drive neural dynamics and shape both connectivity and 

function by influencing synaptic plasticity, thus opening the 

possibility of engineering novel neural circuits, with important 

applications for clinical treatments of spinal cord injuries and 

stroke. However, synaptic and functional changes in recurrent 

networks of neurons are hard to predict and understand: they 

involve complex dynamic mechanisms on multiple temporal and 

spatial scales. Based on experiments, I develop theoretical tools 

and computational network models that serve as predictive tools 

for BBCI protocols. 

In this talk, I will first discuss a computational model for a 

chronically implanted BBCI in non­human primate motor cortex 

that artificially induces plastic changes. We show how the efficacy

of BBCIs is influenced by cortical activity statistics and we 

propose state­based stimulation strategies for driving targeted 

synaptic plasticity. Second, I will discuss recent findings that 

uncover the neural effects of a hotly debated form of non­invasive

transcranial electric stimulation called tDCS (transcranial direct 

current stimulation) and its influence on population coding in 

cortex.