Examples of NSAP project descriptions within the theme “Neuro Skill Advancement for Post-baccalaureate” are given below along with any specific project qualification necessary for success (e.g. specific courses or recommended background).
Project 1: Brain-Computer Interfaces to Help the Body Move Again (Contreras-Vidal, BMI Lab)
Figure 1. Pediatric exoskeleton.
Background: Devices that interface with the nervous system for diagnostic, therapeutic, or restorative purposes are a major locus of innovation in the US. Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMI), which translate brain activity into motor commands to external devices such as prosthetic limbs, are designed to help people with motor disabilities move again.14–19 Our Lab at the IUCRC BRAIN has pioneered EEG-based BMI systems for patients with limb amputation, stroke and spinal cord injury. However, these technologies are yet to be fully developed and validated for children or be fully integrated into clinical rehabilitation.
Research Plan: In our proposed project, we will embed NSAP trainees with a team of graduate student mentors, engineers and clinical collaborators in ongoing EEG-based BMIs to exoskeletons for children (Fig. 1) or adults with gait disabilities. NSAP trainees will be involved in all aspects of the research, including informed consent, data collection, neural decoding, and preparation of technical reports.
Prerequisites: An introductory course in signals and systems and knowledge of Matlab are desirable.
Project 2: Neuromodulation to Improve Dynamic Balance in Stroke (Parikh Lab)
Figure 2. A: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). B: TMS prior to performance of the balance task. EEG is assessed to understand the neurophysiological effects of TMS.
Background: Balance control is an important factor contributing to falls in stroke patients. Balance control is an indicator of mobility and independence in ADLs. Therefore, there is a critical need to design novel and effective interventions to improve balance control in stroke patients. A common drawback of current interventions is that they do not address abnormal cortical network dynamics critical for the restoration or rehabilitation of balance control. Our most recent work found an alteration in the task-related functional connectivity between frontal and parietal brain areas during performance of a balance task in chronic stroke survivors.20 The goal of this project is to test whether neurostimulation5,10,21 can be used to modulate the balance network with a purpose to enhance balance recovery post-stroke (Fig. 2).
Research Plan: We will pair NSAP trainees with graduate student mentors to investigate how the magnetic stimulation of the brain influences the network for balance control within affected and non-affected hemispheres in stroke patients. NSAP trainees will be involved in all aspects of the research including informed consent, data collection & analysis, and dissemination of research findings.
Prerequisites: An introductory programming course, preferably using C/C++ and/or Python is desirable.
Project 3: Neuromuscular and Kinematic Analysis of Trips and Slips of Post-Stroke Individuals in Preparation for Developing Robotic Orthoses. (Layne at University of Houston)
Figure 3. A: Exoskeleton and EEG. B: EEG data collection cap.
Background: Falls are the leading cause of death, injury and hospital admissions among elderly population. With an estimated B52 on direct cost of medical care for falling in 2020, fall prevention is an important area of public health research. Understanding how post-stroke individuals respond to slips and trips while attempting to maintain their balance is an important step in the development of robotic orthoses. Wearable robotic devices are being designed and tested to assist elderly population and other patients with locomotion disabilities (i.e. post-stroke survivors, spinal cord injured individuals, those with cerebral palsy, and others). Such devices are characterized by the implementation of traditional electric motors with large gear reductions necessary to achieve the required high torques but at the price of reduced response velocity. Recovering a loss of balance involves quickly activating and engaging multiple muscle groups. Rapid joint activation is imperative to enable adequate response time of the mechanical components of such wearable devices. Early identification of fall-related EEG can be used to quickly activate the motors of the wearable device in time to prevent the loss of balance.18 Additionally, it is critical to identify how the body responds when trips and slips are introduced during walking and how those response are moderated by EEG activation.
The goal of this project is to document the neuromuscular (EMG) and kinematic (joint angle motion) responses to slips and trips of post-stroke participants and relate those responses to EEG activation occurring immediately after an unexpected slip or trip.
Research Plan: We will pair NSAP trainees with graduate student mentors to identify the lower limb neuromuscular and kinematic response patterns when post-stroke individuals are exposed to slips and trips. Participants will be outfitted with surface EMG electrodes and reflective markers which will be visible to the infrared camera motion analysis system. The participants will also be outfitted with a 64-channel EEG collection cap. During data collection, participants will walk on a split-belt motorized treadmill and at unexpected times the treadmill one of the treadmill belts will either speed up or slow down inducing a slip or trip, respectively. Data collection conditions will include trials when the participants will be wearing an unpowered exoskeleton and other trials when no exoskeleton will be worn (Fig. 3). This will enable us to determine how passive exoskeletons influence the response to the unexpected walking perturbations. Analysis will focus on identifying on relationships between EMG, EEG and joint kinematics. NSAP trainees will be involved in all aspects of the research including informed consent, data collection & analysis, and dissemination of research findings.
Prerequisites: An introductory programming course, preferably using MATLAB and/or Python is desirable. Knowledge of basic muscle physiology and biomechanics is also desirable.
Project 4: Sex-Differences in Cortical Function in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes (Gorniak at University of Houston)
Figure 4. Cortical fNIRS layout and sensitivity map. A: Geometrical layout of sources (red) and detectors (blue) with respect to the international 10-10 EEG system. Bold black ovals denote the regions of interest (ROIs), which are subsequently labeled nearby in purple boldface. B: Correspondent sensitivity map overlaid onto the Colin27 brain model. Sensitivity computed and displayed with AtlasViewer.
Background: Over 29.1 million individuals in the United States are currently living with Type II Diabetes (T2D). The risk of developing either vascular dementia (VD) or Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as a result of T2D is 2x the rate as compared to healthy individuals. Approximately ½ of persons with VD go on to develop AD; T2D remains a significant risk factor for both dementias. In addition to well-known complications of T2D (e.g., stroke and neuropathy), adults with T2D experience declines in cognitive and sensorimotor functions, as compared to healthy individuals. These deficits, particularly persons with T2D, have been associated with conversion to both VD and AD, are considered an early indicator of dementia—an area of increasing interest to clinicians. Sensorimotor deficits in T2D have been previously attributed to diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN); however, our previous work as well as emerging data within the evidence base indicate contributions beyond DPN, such as cortical deficits. Evidence also suggests a differential presentation of T2D and its complications between the sexes, particularly with increased age, potentially due to the cardio- and neuro-protective properties of testosterone. Older adult females are more negatively impacted by risks and complications associated with T2D. Currently, the relationship among sex hormones and diabetic complications (e.g. impaired cortical and sensorimotor function) remains ambiguous within the evidence base, particularly with respect to females. Accordingly, the goal of the proposed project is to assess sex-differences in cortical function22,23 in an older adult sample at high risk for VD/AD conversion.
Research Plan: We will pair NSAP trainees with graduate student mentors to investigate how the changes in cortical function correlate with cognitive and sensorimotor functions in older adults with T2D. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS, Fig. 4) will be used to measure cortical function differences between persons with T2D and healthy age- and sex-matched controls. NSAP trainees will be involved in all aspects of the research including informed consent, data collection & analysis, and dissemination of research findings.
Prerequisites: Introductory course work in: Anatomy & Physiology and Psychology. Coursework in foundations of functional neuroimaging would be ideal, but not required.
Project 5: Microanalysis of Center of Pressure (Bickley at Texas Woman’s University)
Background: A system of microanalysis of Center of Pressure (CoP) on a pressure mat has been developed and shown to be a reliable and valid measure of standing balance in the pediatric population. Normative standing CoP data has been collected in the 7-year-old to 18-year-old age group has shown to have high reliability and validity as compared to simultaneous collection on force places. In addition, standing CoP data has also been collected using a pressure mat system on a cohort of ambulatory children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Of the 21 CoP variables included in this microanalysis of CoP, five specific variables were found to be particularly sensitive and discriminative in distinguishing between differing types of CP within this cohort. This new standing balance assessment using microanalysis of CoP is proving to be a promising new outcome measure as well as possible future implications for assisting with diagnosing patterns of CP and distinguishing between CP and other forms of neurological impairments that mask themselves as CP. This new system of microanalysis of CoP has promising implications for the adult population. Normative data collected is needed for ages greater than 18, both typically developing as well as those with various diagnoses.
Research Plan: A summer research project working with Dr. Bickley would involve advancing this research agenda.
Prerequisites: An interest in analysis of movement and upright stability.
Project 6: Myoelectric Activation Pattern-Guided Neurorehabilitation in the Upper Extremity after Stroke (Roh at University of Houston)
Figure 6. KAIST Upper Limb Synergy Identification System.
Background: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disabilities in the U.S. Brain injuries after a stroke result in major functional motor impairments including disrupted intermuscular coordination that can lead to unintended movement. Although new technologies and therapies have been proposed, the efficacy of most rehabilitation methods remains limited, especially for stroke survivors with moderate-to-severe impairment. Possible reasons for this include (1) researchers focus on treating symptoms (kinematics of impaired limb), not the causes (muscle coordination driving movement kinematics), (2) subjective clinical assessments, and (3) a one-size-fits-all concept applied to the therapy design. The long-term goal of the proposed project is to create a novel, adaptive neurorehabilitation human-machine interface to revert abnormal intermuscular activation patterns, instead of individual muscle activation, through physical interaction with a robotic device (Fig. 6).26–28 The developed human-machine interface will enable researchers to make objective assessments of motor impairment based on multi-neurophysiological modalities.
Research Plan: We will pair NSAP trainees with graduate student mentors to investigate whether a novel rehabilitation exercise by using human-machine interface induces newly emerging intermuscular coordination patterns in the upper extremity of stroke survivors with severe impairment. NSAP trainees will be involved in all aspects of the research including informed consent, supporting research participants’ training, data collection & analysis, and dissemination of research findings.
Prerequisites: An introductory programming course, preferably using MATLAB is desirable.
Project 7: Wearable Multimodal Neuroimaging for Objective Assessment of Cognition, Emotion, Perception, and Action in Health and Disease (Pollonini, Optical Bioimaging Lab)
Figure 7. Early prototype of the multimodal neuroimaging device (left) and detail of the optoelectronic sensor.
Background: In the last few decades, technological advances in neuroimaging has unequivocally boosted our ability to understand the brain during health and disease. One of the next frontiers of neuroimaging is the assessment of brain functions in naturalistic settings (i.e., the household, classroom, workplace, etc.) in non-invasive, ubiquitous and seamless manners. The Optical Bioimaging Lab23,29 at the University of Houston is in the final stage of development of a novel neuroimaging system combining electroencephalography and functional near infrared spectroscopy (Fig. 7) for such ecologically valid applications and apt to a variety of populations and conditions. Before deployment to real-world settings, these new technologies will need to be optimized to maximize accuracy and reliability of data collection even in the most challenging conditions, including but not limited to remote and/or underserved clinical settings.
Research Plan: We will pair NSAP trainees with graduate student mentors to develop state-of-the-art techniques for reliable data collection and processing in challenging settings, thus contributing to the validation and optimization of the device for clinical or neuroscientific applications. NSAP trainees will be involved in all aspects of the research including informed consent, data collection & analysis, and dissemination of research findings.
Prerequisites: General knowledge about medical imaging, signal processing and programming (preferably MATLAB) is desirable.
Project 8: Robotic exoskeletons for gait assistance and locomotor training. (Chang and Francisco at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Neurorecovery Research Center at TIRR Memorial Hermann)
Figure 8. Lower limb wearable robotic exoskeletons.
Background: Recovery of walking ability remains one of the most important predictors of quality of life in individuals with neurological conditions such as spinal cord injury, cerebrovascular accident, brain injury and multiple sclerosis. Not only is gait an important activity of daily living, it can also help minimize many of the secondary complications seen as a result sedentary lifestyle due to neurological injuries, such as cardiovascular deconditioning and bone mass loss. With advanced robotic technology, the use of wearable robotic exoskeletons (Fig. 8) in neurological rehabilitation has gained attention and become more popular not only for mobility but also locomotor training. One of the most important advantages of wearable robotic exoskeleton-assisted30,31 gait training is that the robot is powered and operated by motors and actuators that promote repetitive movement, such as bipedal movement in walking, over a sustained period of time that enables achievement of maximal practice effects during re-training. Therefore, this type of task specific training has the potential to induce neuroplasticity by modulating neuronal excitability and connectivity at the spinal and supraspinal level, thereby improving walking and the quality of life of individuals with mobility impairments.
Research Plan: We will pair NSAP trainees with graduate student mentors to investigate how robotic exoskeletons can be utilized for mobility assistance and locomotor training in individuals with neurological conditions. NSAP trainees will be involved in all aspects of the research including informed consent, data collection & analysis, and dissemination of research findings.
Prerequisites: An introductory motion analysis course, preferably using MATLAB is desirable.
Project 9: The influence of aging on reliability of EEG measures of acoustic and linguistic processing
Background: In recent years, there has been a move toward the use of more ecologically valid tasks and stimuli to assess auditory comprehension. One approach that is gaining popularity has individuals listening to a story while EEG responses are recorded, then uses computational modeling to estimate the extent to which the EEG data can be predicted by acoustic and linguistic aspects of the story. This approach holds potential for use in clinical settings, as it has been shown to be sensitive to hearing loss and language disorders. However, researchers have not investigated the reliability of these measures over time, limiting the clinical utility of the approach. In recent work, we showed good reliability in younger adults, but have yet to examine older adults or clinical populations, populations which are more likely to benefit from a clinical implementation of this technique.
Research Plan: The NSAP trainee will learn how to collect and preprocess EEG data. The trainee will assist in running the computational models to examine acoustic and linguistic encoding, after which they will conduct analyses to examine test-retest reliability in older adults. The trainee will be involved in the dissemination of research findings, including the ultimate publication of results.
Prerequisites: Introductory programming course using MATLAB. Previous experience in EEG collection and processing would be ideal but is not required.
Project 10: Perturbation-based locomotor rehabilitation to improve dynamic balance in individuals with hemiplegic stroke
Background: Stroke survivors have a higher risk of falling due to deficient balance and gait, and consequences of falls in stroke patients are much greater than that in healthy older adults. Maintaining dynamic balance during locomotion is a major challenge in people post-stroke. Therefore, ameliorated dynamic balance may ease locomotion in this population. Balance training paradigms currently used in clinics may be effective for improving static balance while standing but are less effective for improving dynamic balance while walking in people post-stroke. Thus, there is a critical need for developing new training paradigms to improve dynamic balance and locomotion in individuals post-stroke. The goal of this project is to explore motor adaptation to a controlled postural perturbation during walking in people post-stroke (Fig. A&B) and evaluate the effects of mechatronic balance training paired with transcutaneous electrical spinal stimulation (Fig. C) on dynamic balance and locomotor function in people post-stroke.
Research Plan: In this project, we will embed NSAP trainees with a team of neuroscientists, engineers, undergraduate researchers, and clinical collaborators. NSAP trainees will work closely with Dr. Park and senior undergraduate researchers to examine how a controlled postural perturbation or that paired with spinal stimulation influences dynamic balance and gait during walking in people post-stroke. NSAP trainees will also have opportunities to be involved in other ongoing research projects to identify the effects of postural perturbation induced by visual feedback manipulation, real-time speed changes of split-belt, etc. on dynamic balance during walking in people with stroke or healthy young and older adults. In addition, there will be opportunities for NSAP trainees to participate in motor neuroscience research to identify underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of deficient motor control and learning in people with stroke or healthy young and older adults. NSAP trainees will be involved in all aspects of the research informed consent, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of research findings. For more information about our research, please visit our lab website (MoNeLab.net).
Prerequisites: Knowledge of MATLAB programming, signal processing, biomechanics, and neuromuscular physiology is desirable.
Project 11: User-centric approach in research and design for a pediatric exoskeleton
Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood. Only in the U.S., 1 in 345 children has been identified with CP[2]. Over half of the CP children fall under the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level I - II, who can walk independently with some irregularities[1], [2] and 7% - 11% of children with CP fall under GMFCS Level III and can walk with assistive devices[1]. Any new technology that can assist with gait diagnostics, as well as rehabilitation need to aim to address the unique needs of children with cerebral palsy and their caregivers through the lens user-centered design approach with focus on adaptability to a child's growing body, ease of use, and aesthetic appeal to encourage long-term acceptance (Fig.1 and 2). This innovative approach seeks not only to improve physical functionality but also to positively impact the overall well-being and social integration of children with cerebral palsy and their quality of life.
Research Plan: In this interdisciplinary proposed project, NSAP trainees will be collaborating with a team of graduate student in engineering in ongoing exoskeletons for children. NSAP trainees will be involved in all stages of design process, such as research, user research and user journey analysis, observation and data collection, design, prototyping with soft goods and early prototype testing.
Prerequisites: An introductory course in user research and design process as well as basic knowledge in prototyping and 3D modeling. Experience with softgoods design is desirable but no required.
Project 12: The Neural Basis of the Creative Process in Dance and Music
Background: Music and dance are powerful neuromodulators that affect multiple brain systems, and thereby our mood, movement, creativity, emotions, social interaction health and wellbeing. However, most studies investigating the neural basis of music and dance have been constrained to lab settings and methodologies that prevent the study of the brain “in action and in context” in ecological settings.
Research Plan: In this project, we will embed NSAP trainees with a team of neuroscientists, engineers, musicians, dancers, choreographers, graduate and undergraduate researchers, and clinical collaborators. NSAP trainees will work closely with Dr. Contreras-Vidal and his team to examine how the brain of dancers and/or musicians are engaged and communicate with each other during performance. NSAP trainees will have opportunities to be involved in designing brain-computer interfaces based on inter-brain synchrony measurements, functional mapping and other neuroscience and neuroengineering tools. NSAP trainees will be involved in all aspects of the research informed consent, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of research findings.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of MATLAB programming, signal processing, biomechanics, music, dance or art therapy is desirable.